Crystal River Preserve State Park is a Florida State Park

Florida State Parks

The Florida State Parks encompass the majority of the lands that fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are 160 such entities, including nature reserves, recreation areas, and historic sites, which can be found in every corner of the state...

 that park contains 30,000 acres (120 km²) of undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters, and forests. It is unique in that lies between temperate and sub-tropical climate zones and contains plants and animals from both. The park borders 20 miles (30 km) of the Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...

 between the cities of Yankeetown

Yankeetown, Florida

Yankeetown is a town in Levy County, Florida, United States. The population was 629 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the town had a population of 672.-History:...

 and Homosassa

Homosassa, Florida

Homosassa is a census-designated place in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,294 at the 2000 census.-Historic:...

. Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Crystal River State Archaeological Site is a Florida State Park located on the Crystal River and within the Crystal River Preserve State Park. The park is located two miles northwest of the city of Crystal River, on Museum Point off US 19/98....

 is located within the park.

Activities include canoeing, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking and bicycling. Among the wildlife of the park are neotropical birds and hawks, white-tailed deer

White-tailed Deer

The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...

, turkey

Turkey

Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...

, and wading birds. Amenities include a dock, a 9 mile (14 km) biking trail, hiking trails and a two-and-a-half mile interpretive trail. The visitor center houses 6 dioramas, three 125 US gallon (473 L) aquarium

Aquarium

An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...

s, 2 snake exhibits, a diamondback terrapin

Diamondback terrapin

The diamondback terrapin or simply terrapin, is a species of turtle native to the brackish coastal swamps of the eastern and southern United States. It belongs to the monotypic genus, Malaclemys...

enclosure, and a touch table. The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown year round.

Manatees are nowhere to be found in this State Park, even though, the nearest city (Crystal River) is nicknamed "Manatee Haven".