Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is unique in that Kings Bay natural springs is world-renowned for the largest concentration of endangered West Indian manatees in the State of Florida.

The refuge comprises several islands, totaling 46 acres. The refuge preserves the remaining undeveloped habitat in Kings Bay. Refuge islands and surrounding waters provide excellent habitat for a large number of bird species.

The birding trail not only includes the refuge but winds through Kings Bay around the refuge islands and north to Hunter Spring Park and the mouth of the Crystal River.

Kings Bay Trail is the easiest, most accessible water trail in the Citrus County Section of the Great Florida Birding Trail, and it is only accessible by boat. The town of Crystal River has many marinas that offer tours of the Bay, especially in the winter when manatees are in great numbers. Several marinas have regularly scheduled birding boat tours. These tours are handicap-accessible. The best way to bird Kings Bay is by canoe/kayak. Check with the refuge office for marinas and canoe rentals in the area.

While one can bird Kings Bay at any time, early morning is the best.

The trail is an easy two to three hour birding tour with forty to fifty bird species possible.

This trail could be named the "Anhinga Trail" for the many anhinga seen all over the bay year-round. All the wading birds can be seen, great blue heron, little blue heron, tri-colored heron, black and yellow crowned night herons, great egret and snowy egret. Wood stork roost every night on Parker Island across from the Refuge Office as well as vultures, ibis, pelicans and kingfishers.

Bald eagles and osprey nest in the bay area. It is recommended to start your bird tour on land at the Refuge Headquarters grounds for a variety of passerines, woodpeckers and hawks, all of which are seen in the area. Kings Bay Trail has been a popular group birding tour trail in a pontoon boat.