Seven Tips For Responsible Recreation at Three Sisters Springs

Here are seven tips for responsible recreation at Three Sisters Springs. Please practice these tips while visiting.

1. Stay in the water or paddle craft and keep off the rocks and shoreline.

The rocks may look appealing to rest on, but don’t be fooled! The rocks stabilize the soil to help plants grow along the bank. They can also be dangerous and slippery to walk on from algae

2. Keep paddle craft away from rocks, trees and other vegetation.

Any intrusion onto the shore may seem small, but when hundreds of visitors do it, it adds up! Please be mindful of where your paddle craft floats as you enjoy the springs and maintain your distance from the shorelines.

3. Tie off paddle craft in designated area outside of spring or use a vegetation-friendly anchor.

Did you know manatees eat 10% of their body weight in food every day? Some manatees can weigh up to 1,200lbs (544kg), which means they would eat 120lbs (54.4kg) of grasses and other vegetation EVERY DAY. That’s a lot of eelgrass!

Save Crystal River has been working hard to restore eelgrass beds for manatees. You can help by using vegetation-safe anchors or using designated areas outside of the springs to tie off paddle craft.

4. Avoid trampling vegetation or kicking up silt.

Standing and walking around in the springs, especially at low tide, leads to cloudy water, trampled and dead vegetation, and more erosion! Remember: float like a manatee and keep your feet up.

The spring run can have a strong outflow making it difficult to swim up the run. Please remember to bring a life jacket or other floatation device. Life jackets are one way you can stay safe and relaxed knowing you are recreating responsibly in Three Sisters Springs!

5. Protect the trees by not climbing or tying paddle craft to them.

Trees and plants at the edge of the shoreline and hanging over the water are not there to hold your craft! Tying to trees and plants can damage or even kill them, leading to more shoreline erosion. Damaged trees can fall into the water and onto people or manatees. Please help keep you, other visitors and wildlife safe!

6. Use reusable containers. Disposable items and alcohol are prohibited within the springs.

Disposable items are easy to lose and can pollute the springs. We advise all visitors to use reusable containers as a responsible practice. Yes, that means your popular insulated metal cup is allowed in Three Sisters Springs.

Alcohol is also prohibited in the springs with no exception. Drinking alcohol while recreating can be dangerous and can end in tragic results. Stay sober on the water and recreate responsibly!

7. Dispose of trash properly and leave nothing behind.

When recreating in and around Three Sister’s Springs, don’t be a litterbug! Manatees need these warm springs to survive the winter. All visitors to Three Sisters Springs should be mindful to keep their home clean. The manatees will thank you!

Learn more about protecting Three Sisters Springs here: https://watermatters.org/protecttss