Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1941, is comprised of over 31,000 acres of saltwater bays, estuaries and brackish marshes at the mouth of the Chassahowitzka River. The refuge, located approximately 65 miles north of St. Petersburg, FL, was established primarily to protect waterfowl habitat and is home to over 250 species of birds, over 50 species of retiles and amphibians, and at least 25 different species of mammals, including the endangered West Indian Manatee.
Getting There
The Chassahowitzka
NWR is located
approximately
65 miles north
of St. Petersburg,
FL. A boat
ramp, maintained
by the Citrus
County, provides
a launching
point for boats
on the Chassahowitzka
River for a
small fee.
To get there
take U.S. Hwy.
19 north from
St. Petersburg
(or south from
Perry) to State
Road 480. Proceed
west on State
Road 480, the
Chasshowitzka
Boat Ramp is
located at
the end of
this road.
The refuge
is located
approximately
three miles
down river
from this boat
ramp.