Chassahowitzka Wilderness
In the language of the Seminole Indians, Chassahowitzka means "Hanging Pumpkin," although no one seems to remember just how this region earned that moniker. Regardless, Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge protects mangrove islands, saltwater bays, estuaries, and brackish marshes, fringed with an oak-cypress-cedar hardwood swamp on the eastern side. Originally established to benefit waterfowl, the Refuge now also provides critical habitat to numerous endangered species such as the West Indian manatee and whooping crane, and also provides for the preservation of wilderness character. Three-quarters of the refuge is designated Wilderness. The Chassahowitzka River runs between the northern and southern expanses of Wilderness.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| State | Florida |
| Size | 23,578 acres |
| Designated | 1976, by Congress |
| Center point | 28.71° N, 82.68° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 10) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
No federal campground is within ten miles of the boundary in the Campsite Atlas index. Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from trails and water, with no facilities; the managing agency page has the permit and group-size rules.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 2.2 miYulee Sugar Mill Ruins ↗Homosassa, FL
- 7.4 miSinclair Service Station ↗Spring Hill, FL
- 9.1 miCrystal River Old City Hall ↗Crystal River, FL
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Florida
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Chassahowitzka Wilderness?
23,578 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Chassahowitzka Wilderness?
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Chassahowitzka Wilderness in?
Florida.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Chassahowitzka Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1976.
Source: Wilderness Connect
How do I get to Chassahowitzka Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 28.714° N, 82.677° W. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Are there historic places near Chassahowitzka Wilderness?
The National Register has 3 listings within 15 miles, including Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins and Sinclair Service Station.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.