Fees

No Daily-Use Permit currently required. All programs and festivals through the Conservation Center are free.  Program reservations are required as seating is limited.  Call 352-754-6722 to RSVP or for more information.

Facilities

Chinsegut Conservation Center has interpretive displays, restrooms, a wildlife viewing blind, and picnic facilities. An interpretive kiosk is located on the Big Pine Tract.

Public Access

The hiking trails at Chinsegut WEA are located on the Conservation Center Tract and Big Pine Tract and are open during daylight hours, 7 days a week.  To access the Conservation Center Tract, park at the Trailhead on US 41 and Snow Memorial.  Here you will find a parking pad, kiosk and maps.  The Prairie to Pines Trail runs north to the Chinsegut Tract and south to the Big Pine Tract.  Access to the Big Pine Tract can be found on Old Crystal River Road north of US 41 north of Brooksville.  Here you will find a parking pad, kiosk, maps and sign in sheet.  Hunting is prohibited on both the Conservation Center Tract and the Big Pine Tract.

The Chinsegut Conservation Center offers many educational public and private group programs and hikes throughout the year.  The Conservation Center is only open to the public on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. or during regularly scheduled programs.  It is located off of Lake Lindsey Road/CR 476 west of US 41 and east of Snow Memorial Highway.  Groups can schedule a program by appointment by calling 352-754-6722.

There are two trail maps for Chinsegut:  the Big Pine Tract Trail Map and the Conservation Center Tract Trail Map PDF.

Rules Regarding Dogs

  • Dogs other than service dogs are prohibited.

Location

Chinsegut Conservation Center is 7 miles north of Brooksville. Take US Hwy 41 to CR 476. Turn west (left) on CR 476 to entrance on the left. Big Pine Tract is off of US Hwy 41 on Old Crystal River Road

View a location map PDF

Nearby

Additional wildlife viewing sites in the vicinity.

Withlacoochee State Forest: hiking, camping (RV and tent), 46-mile paved bicycling trail, canoeing, horseback riding, and hunting, restroom, and bathhouses.  Chinsegut Hill Conference and Retreat Center is in the process of being transferred to FWC with joint management through Hernando County.

Nearest Cities/Towns

Crystal River (34 miles northwest), Homosassa Springs (27 miles northwest), and Brooksville (7 miles south).



FWC Facts:
The oystercatcher is one of the largest and heaviest of Florida's shorebirds. It is striking in appearance: dark brown, black and white, with a bright red bill.

Learn More at AskFWC