Lowdown on the Locale around Big Papa's
Water Adventures
Rainbow Springs State Park
19158 SW 81st Pl Rdgreat tubing, kayaking and crystal clear water.
Hunter Springs Park
18 NE 2nd StGreat place to swim, boat, kayak and see manatees
Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
5390 NE 180th AveScuba Diving
Three Sisters Springs
36 NW US-19Swim with the manatees, kayak, scuba dive
Captain Bob's Airboat Tour
12189 S Williams StRainbow River Kayak Adventures
11463 N Williams StAlso a great place to put your boat in to get to the Gulf. It's about a 20 minute drive from Big Papa's and great scenery out to the Gulf. Also access to several waterfront restaurants like Crackers, the Crab Plant and the Waterfront Social.
11 locals recommend
Crystal River Watersports
2380 N Suncoast BlvdAlso a great place to put your boat in to get to the Gulf. It's about a 20 minute drive from Big Papa's and great scenery out to the Gulf. Also access to several waterfront restaurants like Crackers, the Crab Plant and the Waterfront Social.
Hunting
Ross Hammock Ranch Inc
18650 SE 72 AveHunting
Over 50,000 acres of nature, with five trailheads and many hiking trails.
9 locals recommend
Goethe State Forest
9110 Southeast Co Road 337Over 50,000 acres of nature, with five trailheads and many hiking trails.
Food scene
Just a fun place. Great places to eat, boat, and the Homosassa river is a gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.
31 locals recommend
Monkey Island
Just a fun place. Great places to eat, boat, and the Homosassa river is a gateway to the Gulf of Mexico.
Swampy's Bar & Grille
19773 E Pennsylvania AveGood food, great atmosphere
Blue Gator Tiki Bar & Restaurant
12189 South Williams StreetCracker's Bar & Grill
502 NW 6th StCrump's Landing
11210 W Halls River RdThe ultimate riverside tiki
Blackwater Grill & Bar
6301 Riverside DrGreat waterfront eatery with good food, full bar and an outside tiki bar. The name is new, but the place has been here for many years, starting out as Port Paradise, Kokomos, Margarita Breeze and now the new Waterfront Social.
27 locals recommend
Waterfront Social
1610 Southeast Paradise CircleGreat waterfront eatery with good food, full bar and an outside tiki bar. The name is new, but the place has been here for many years, starting out as Port Paradise, Kokomos, Margarita Breeze and now the new Waterfront Social.
Local Bars and outdoor hangouts
The Buoy Bar
10930 SE 201st StIt's right down the street! The Bouy Bar also has a boat ramp to access Lake Rousseau
B's Marina has a boat launch, kayak and pontoon rentals, and live music on Saturdays. Located in Yankeetown, this is Old Florida. B's also has AirBnB cabins available
7 locals recommend
B’s Marina & Campground
6621 Riverside DrB's Marina has a boat launch, kayak and pontoon rentals, and live music on Saturdays. Located in Yankeetown, this is Old Florida. B's also has AirBnB cabins available
Beach
Great small local beach.
Fort Island Gulf Beach Fishing Pier
16000 W Fort Island TrailBoat Ramps
Known to us locals as "The end of the road" . Follow 40 in the opposite direction and you will end up on the beach in daytona.
Yankeetown Boat Ramp
34002 Follow That Dream PkwyKnown to us locals as "The end of the road" . Follow 40 in the opposite direction and you will end up on the beach in daytona.
Bird Creek Boat Ramp
Follow That Dream ParkwayDockside Ice Cream
Ozello Park (John Brown Primative Boat Ramp)
1923 S John Brown Drget there early
Pete's Pier Marina
1 SW 1st PlFort Island Trail Park
12073 W Fort Island Trail
20296 SE 116th Ave
20296 Southeast 116th AvenueLake Rousseau Boat Ramp. A 2 minute drive or an 8 minute walk from Big Papa's.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Levy County Public Boat Ramps
Visit https://www.saltchef.com/catch_fish/FL/Levy/boat_ramps.html
for a comprehensive list of boat ramps in Levy County.
Don't miss
Scallop Season runs July 1 to September 24, 2023.
For rules and regulations search MyFWC - Bay Scallop seasons and bag limits