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Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park
Nearby Parks:
Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
Cedar Key Museum State Park
Cedar Key State Memorial and Museum
Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
Gulf Hammock State Wildlife Management Area
Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park
P.O. Box 187
Cedar Key, Florida 32625
Phone: 352-543-5567
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Area Accommodations
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| Accessible only by boat, this preserve is a favorite of anglers because it boasts both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Bordering Florida's Gulf Coast between Cedar Key and Yankeetown, extensive salt marshes and tidal creeks create habitats for saltwater fish, crabs, and shellfish. The park's uplands protect a remnant of the Gulf Hammock that once spanned thousands of acres between the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers. Endangered and threatened species-including West Indian manatees, bald eagles, American alligators, and Florida black bears-live or feed within the preserve. Although there aren't any marked foot trails, nature enthusiasts can enjoy wildlife viewing from a canoe. There are several primitive campsites on the Preserve, accessible only by private boat and are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Boat access is from CR 40 in Yankeetown, CR 326 in Gulf Hammock, and Cedar Key. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| As a virtually undeveloped area the wildlife is mostly undisturbed. Alligators, otters, bald eagles, dolphins, osprey, raccoons, deer, turtles, great egrets, herons, gulls, pelicans, are some of the common wildlife that can be seen. Manatees occasionally visit the park. Less frequently seen are the Florida black bear, bobcat, skunk, and gray fox. |
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| Camping: |
| There are four primitive campsites within the Preserve. These campsites are accessible by boat only and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Details and directions to the campsites can be found in the Big Bend Segment 6 of the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. |
| Boating: |
| Boating is accessible only by private watercraft. Boat entrance is available from CR 40 in Yankeetown, CR 326 in Gulf Hammock, and the City Marina in Cedar Key. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing is abundant with many varieties of salt and fresh water fish, including shellfish. The area has tidal creeks and an immense salt marsh. |
| History of the Area: |
| Waccasassa Bay is rich with cultural history dating from pre-Columbian to early pioneers to the Civil War to modern day timber harvesting. Florida?s early pioneers homesteaded and hunted deer, turkey and bear here. They cut timber and "cow hunted" as well. Yet their activities did not greatly alter the wilderness character of the land. The hammock played a major role in the development of Cedar Key, providing cedar for the pencil factories and palm trees for the fiber factory. Remnants of the boilers once used in the production of brushes and brooms made from the sable palm fibers can be found within the boundaries of the preserve. Another remnant of bygone industry is Salt Island, named for salt kettles found there which were used to extract salt from salt water during the Civil War. Numerous homesites of early settlers as well as Indian sites and artifacts have been found in the preserve.
Disturbance of these sites and the removal of any artifacts is prohibited. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| B&Bs / Inns | | Cedar Key Bed and Breakfast - This lovely inn built in 1880 is located 125 miles north of Tampa. Discover Old Florida. 7 wonderful guest rooms w/private baths plus (2) awesome suite! Enjoy the Gulf view from the Veranda and our la |
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| Directions: |
| Waccasassa Bay State Preserve extends along the coast between Cedar Key and Yankeetown. Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park is only accessible by boat. Boats can be launched from several ramps located outside the preserve. Boat access is from CR 40 in Yankeetown, CR 326 in Gulf Hammock, and Cedar Key. |
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