Pasco County, set on Florida's west-central coast north of Tampa, was founded in 1887. Known in the late 18th century and early 19th century for its citrus groves and sawmills, today much of the county's emphasis is on recreation and tourism. Of Pasco County's 742 square miles, more than 100 consist of managed recreational facilities, including two state parks, more than 30 county-owned parks and several municipal parks. As part of Florida's less-developed "Nature Coast" along the Gulf of Mexico, many parks allow you to immerse yourself in the outdoors and soak in scenic views of water and wetlands.
State Parks
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park, a group of four small islands three miles off the Pasco County coast, can be reached only by private boat or ferry. The 403-acre park, home to a circa-1887 lighthouse, allows you to spend a day swimming, sunbathing, fishing, kayaking and birdwatching along secluded Gulf beaches and surrounding mangrove-laden wetlands. Primitive campsites provide a spot for overnight camping, but you must bring your own water and other provisions. Although it's set on the Gulf of Mexico, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey has no beaches. However, the park is home to a 320-foot-deep spring, inlets and bayous amid saltwater marshes, a half-mile nature trail and picnic pavilion. The park is a haven for anglers, who can target saltwater species such as flounder, redfish, sheepshead, snook and tarpon.
Parks with Camping
- Withlacoochee River Park, set on 406 acres along the namesake river near Dade City, has an RV camping area with electric hookups, restrooms and a dump station, along with primitive tent campsites and camping cabins. Other amenities include 13 miles of hiking trails, a canoe/kayak launch, fishing pier, observation tower and a re-created 1840s village with a church, log cabin, schoolhouse and trading post. Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park covers more than 8,300 acres near New Port Richey and has primitive campsites and camping cabins. Other attractions include playgrounds, hiking trails and a 10-mile equestrian trail. Crew Lakes Wilderness Park, which lies on 113 acres near Shady Hills, has primitive campsites, a log cabin available for large groups and amenities such as nature and bike trails, a botanical garden, fishing pier and observation tower.
Parks with Beaches
- Three county-owned parks include beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Anclote River Park in Holiday, at Pasco County's southwest corner, provides a 300-foot-long swimming beach, plus a designated fishing and boating area, boat ramps and a wildlife trail. The 31-acre park also has a volleyball court, picnic shelters and a playground. Robert K. Rees Memorial Park in New Port Richey is a 45-acre park with a 920-foot beach that includes a designated swimming area, a 650-foot wetlands boardwalk with a wildlife observation tower, boat ramps, picnic shelters and a playground. Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park in Hudson is only 6 acres, but it includes a 1,900-foot beach with a 200-foot swimming area, boat ramps, canoe/kayak access, picnic shelters, a boardwalk and two on-site restaurants.
City Parks
- In addition to county- and state-owned parks, several Pasco County cities also have their own municipal parks with a variety of recreational amenities. The New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center includes two indoor gyms, a game room, fitness center, tennis courts, skate park, a children's pool and play area, heated lap pool, dive pool, and a plunge pool with a two-story-tall water slide. Zephyr Park, an oak-shaded park in downtown Zephyrhills, is home to a 7,000-square-foot water sprayground, tennis and handball courts, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, a playground, fishing spots and a lakeside fitness path. Dade City's Watson Park has basketball courts and sports fields, and nearby Price Park has tennis and racquetball courts. Each park also has a playground and picnic tables.
