Three Sisters Springs: An Amazing Can’t-Miss Vacation Spot for 2022
Long ago during the age of exploration, sailors returning from the New World told fantastic tales of mermaids swimming through crystal clear waters. The images of beautiful creatures gliding through the water captured the imaginations of thousands of people who yearned to view the phenomena for themselves.
As more people came to the Americas, they quickly discovered the stories of half-human, half-fish people were a bit embellished. Nevertheless, early explorers hadn’t been kidding about the natural beauty they encountered on their voyages. If anything, their descriptions couldn’t do it justice.
Today, one such area known as Three Sisters Springs is open to the public for year-round explorations. If you’re looking for a fantastic vacation destination for the entire family, be sure to add Three Sisters Springs to your list!
Three Sisters Springs: Swim, Stroll, & See the World
Located on the gulf side of Florida, Three Sisters Springs is an access point for the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. This means the animals who call the spring waters home are protected from human disturbance. To that end, there are plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing in this spectacular location.
You are permitted to swim, snorkel, stand-up paddleboard, canoe, and kayak in the spring waters. However, there is no watercraft access from Three Sisters Springs. This is to prevent erosion which would damage the sensitive ecosystem along the shore and in the waters. Three Sisters Springs has a maximum depth of 14 feet, so be sure that you feel confident in the water before entering!
In order to get in the water with watercraft or to swim/snorkel, you need to plan on entering the water at either Hunter Springs Park or Kings Bay Park. Both areas are within a half-mile of Three Sisters Springs and have equipment rentals nearby. (ProTip: Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen—when you spend the day paddling in the sunshine, it’s easy to get burned!)
If getting in the water isn’t your cup of tea, no worries! There’s plenty more to see and do at Three Sisters Springs. One of the biggest attractions is the beautiful boardwalk that borders the springs. There is daily access to the boardwalk from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, and you can embark on a self-guided tour by following the walking path and checking out all of the interpretive signs along the way.
In addition to the self-guided tour, you have the option to book a guided tour with one of the National Wildlife Refuge staff members. Taking a guided tour is an incredible experience because you’ll get insider knowledge of the area. Each guide has been expertly trained to deliver the most informative and entertaining tour possible!
Make your trip to Three Sisters Springs extra fun and worry free by taking the Three Sisters Springs Trolley! The perfect escort to and from the refuge, you can purchase tickets for the trolley (and for the boardwalk) at the Three Sisters Springs Center. The trolley operates between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Be sure to get your tickets before 3:30 pm—after that, they stop selling tickets for the day!
Of course, the best part of the entire park is the mermaids.
Like we said, old explorers exaggerated the mermaid tales, but they weren’t totally bluffing. What they really saw were (most likely) manatees! In fact, when Christopher Columbus saw three “mermaids” in 1493, he was quite disappointed, remarking that they were “not half as beautiful as they are painted.”1 Frankly, I think that’s giving manatees a bad rap. It’s hard to find something so cute as a sea cow!
And there’s plenty of adorableness in the park when the manatees are back at Three Sisters Springs for the season! Typically, they come back to the park around the winter and springtime when temperatures are cooler. The best time to view the manatees is when temperatures in the Gulf are under 68℉. But please make sure to respect their space when they are in the waters!
Manatees are still a protected species, though, thankfully, they’ve made quite a comeback in the last several years! As of today, there are an estimated 13,000 manatees left in the world. Of that number, 6,500 manatees call the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico their home, so keeping them safe is a top priority for the US Fish and Wildlife Service.2
Support the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Three Sisters Springs is a part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, which is under the jurisdiction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. While they are funded by US tax dollars, each visitor that comes to Three Sisters Springs supports the refuge with the money they pay for extra things that they need. Some of the money that is generated from entry fees goes toward conservation efforts which keep the ecosystem in pristine condition for years and years to come.
In addition to the park fees, you can support the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge by donating money and time to the park. Every so often, there are volunteer workdays to help provide maintenance to the boardwalk and surrounding areas, all of which are necessary to make the refuge a safe place, not only for the manatees but also for the rest of the animals and plants that call the refuge home! So once you’ve visited on your vacation, consider coming back and pitching a helping hand to maintain this beautiful place! It’s an incredibly fun and rewarding way to experience the park!
Final Thoughts (Without Embellishments!)
So, now that you’ve got a good idea of what Three Sisters Springs is all about, it’s time to get to planning! Gather up your family and go experience what those explorers did all those years ago for yourself.
While there might not be actual mermaids swimming or buried treasure to be found, you’ll love seeing the manatees and creating treasured memories that are just as good as gold! (Better, even!)
And when you’re all done with your visit, be sure to come back and let us know how you liked it by dropping a comment below. We can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Cover Image
Photo: Visit Citrus via Flickr
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