Crystal River is a small town and you will need a car to get around once you arrive. Most of the action — the boat ramps, the springs, the state park — is within a few miles of the town centre, but there is no public transport and distances between sites are too far to walk comfortably.
For the manatee springs and Kings Bay, the practical way in is by water. You can launch your own kayak or canoe from Hunter Spring Park or Pete's Pier, or book a guided tour with one of the outfitters on US-19 — they provide all equipment and handle the logistics. Motorboat rentals are also available for those who want to explore the bay and surrounding waterways independently.
Bicycles are useful for getting around town itself, and the terrain is completely flat. A handful of local outfitters hire bikes alongside kayaks and paddleboards.