Pasco: Coast, Nature and Unique Experiences

Pasco combines diverse waterscapes with expansive protected areas, historic sites and unique leisure activities. Pasco County has 20 miles of coastline and four miles of beaches on its offshore barrier island. At the same time, the experience extends far inland: there, you can discover rivers, nature parks, museums and events. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore worth first deciding on your preferred combination of coast, nature, culture and activities.

Coast, Rivers and Protected Nature

The Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve extends along the coast of Pasco County. Off this coast lies Anclote Key Preserve State Park, which includes Anclote Key, Three Rooker Bar and North Bar. In the park, you can sunbathe, wade in shallow water, camp in a tent, and watch the sunset and moonrise. The lighthouse on Anclote Key dates from 1877. These coastal destinations are particularly appealing to travelers who want to combine their stay with island nature and a variety of waterside experiences.

The river landscapes also offer various forms of active recreation. The Cotee River, also known as the Pithlachascotee River, runs through the center of New Port Richey and offers opportunities for kayaking, boating and guided experiences. Withlacoochee River Park has a canoe launch, a pier and five miles of hiking trails. There are also campsites, including an area for RVs, a playground and various multi-use trails; hiking, cycling and fishing on the Withlacoochee River are possible there.

Wildlife, Trails and Unique Landscapes

Starkey Wilderness Preserve is one of the largest undeveloped areas in Pasco County and protects ecologically sensitive land in the county’s rapidly growing west. Its landscape includes pine flatwoods, cypress domes, freshwater marshes, creek and lake swamps, sandhills and scrubland. At Little Gator Creek Wildlife and Environmental Area, hiking, cycling and wildlife viewing are possible from September 1 through January 31. The area provides habitats for gopher tortoises and wood storks. Indigenous populations were already mining chert at the limestone formations of Little Gator Creek up to 9,000 years ago; chert is a flint-like stone that they shaped into tools.

For further nature experiences, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park and the Suncoast Trail are ideal. The state park’s salt springs are more than 351 feet deep in some areas; paddling, fishing, hiking and nature observation are also possible there. The Suncoast Trail is a paved multi-use trail, opened in 2001, and is part of Florida’s statewide Greenways and Trails System.

Culture, Festivals and Family-Friendly Outings

The Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum is housed in a historic railway depot dating from 1912. It displays model trains from the Atlantic Coastline and Seaboard railways, as well as memorabilia from Dade City’s World War II prisoner-of-war camp. The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village preserves local history through restoration projects, educational programs, special events and historic preservation efforts. Its annual events program includes the Scarecrow Festival, the Farm Festival & Quilt Show, the Raising Cane Festival and the Moonshine Festival.

A distinctive culinary experience is the Annual Kumquat Festival in Historic Downtown Dade City. It takes place on the last Saturday in January and includes more than 300 vendors and sponsors, arts and crafts booths, a car and truck show, a farmers’ market, a children’s zone and a quilt challenge. Offerings include kumquat cakes, cookies, smoothies, ice cream, marmalade, preserves, donuts, craft beer, sangria and fresh kumquats. In addition, Giraffe Ranch offers guided safari experiences in four-wheel-drive vehicles, camel expeditions and Segway safaris. The Lift Adventure Park is located on a spring-fed lake and offers cable wakeboarding as well as an inflatable jungle course.

Places to Help You Plan Further

Which accommodation in Pasco suits your plans depends on whether you want to focus on coastal landscapes, nature trails, river activities, culture or events. For further orientation, you can also include Port Richey, Zephyrhills, Hudson, Dade City, Holiday, New Port Richey, Bayonet Point, Trinity and Wesley Chapel in your search.

For the higher-level travel overview: Florida.