Getting here is the kind of drive people make a day of by itself. The Ozello Trail winds about ten miles off US 19 through hardwood swamp and open salt marsh before it crosses a causeway and reaches the county boat ramp. On the water it is a maze of tidal creeks, oyster bars, and mangrove keys inside the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve. It is gorgeous and it is easy to get turned around out there, so bring a GPS or a chart and mind your tide. The current official page lists the ramp as free but does not state parking, restroom, or hours details, so check those before counting on them.
Where do I park, and is it free?
- Cost
- Free ramp (as of 2026-08)
- Parking
- Unknown
- Restrooms
- Current availability unverified (checked 2026-08-21)
- Dogs
- Leashed dogs welcome
Citrus County's official tourism directory actively lists Ozello Community Park as a free county boat ramp with Gulf access. Current parking details, restrooms, and operating hours are not stated.
Access sources: discovercrystalriverfl.com (checked August 21, 2026).
How clear is the water?
Tannic backwater, shallow flats at low water.
What will I see?
- Manatees move into the warmer creeks through the cold months
- Roseate spoonbills and wood storks on the flats, ospreys and kingfishers over the marsh
What's the fishing like?
Mangrove backwater: redfish and snook tucked in the channels, trout on the flats at higher water.
How do I share the water here?
All of this water is the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve, and the flats under you are seagrass and oyster bar. Stay in the deeper creeks at low tide instead of dragging across the grass, and give the oyster bars room, they will open up a hull or a shin in a hurry.
See how it scores before you drive out.
Check Ozello Community Park on the live map