Three Sisters Spring

Three Sisters Spring Run

Three Sisters Spring is located in Kings Bay by the town of Crystal River. The nearest kayak launch is at Hunters Spring Park, about a 30 to 40 minute paddle away. The park is located on a canal and a short paddle takes you out into the bay. A turn to the south, following the shoreline and passing the marina with the large blue metal building, leads you out into the bay. A short distance further and you'll come to another canal to the east where you will see a bridge. If it's hot, pausing under the bridge will give you a break from the sun. Paddling down this canal will lead you to a wooded place on the left which is the Three Sisters Spring Park. Follow this wooded shoreline for about a half mile and you will come upon the entrance to the springs, a spring run about 6 to 8 feet wide. While there are posts set to keep larger boats out (and from getting stuck), your kayak will pass between them, although it will be tight. Once inside, in the spring run, the trees will give you some relief from the sun. The water is cool and clear. The run goes back to a point maybe fifty yards in where it separates into three separate spring pools. All of these are shallow enough for skindiving (snorkeling). You could scuba here, but it is unnecessary. Landing within the springs is not allowed, you have to stay on your boat or in the water There is a gravel lined take out point being built at the where the run opens into the spring pools, but whether there will be any roads running close enough to it to unload kayaks or canoes from a vehicle remains to be seen. A common problem with many places is that roads are just too far away from the water. Architects and planners don't seem to understand that kayaks and especially canoes are heavy and tiresome to carry more than a few yards.

This is a very beautiful place, lined with trees, and having aqua to blue colored water. It can get a little crowded on a summer weekend. The last trip I took there, in late September, was nearly deserted during a weekday with school being in session. The trip there is not especially difficult except for increased wind and waves during the open bay segment. Being inland fresh water, waves shouldn't be a problem unless the wind is pushing 20 knots or more, and if it is, you probably wouldn't have gone out kayaking in the first place.