Port Richey on the Water: Find Vacation Rentals

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Pure Luxury

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Tatjana Herzegova, Kiew, Ukraine

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Sustainable Travel

“There is only one earth and we should go out and see it. I like hotels, which look for sustainability. It is not only protecting the ecology, but also taking care for the local business and culture. I recommend the medal for eco accomodation. Let’s protect our earth. Sustainable travel is travelling with responsibility.”

Markus Lenk, Düsseldorf, Germany

Port Richey brings together water activities, nature and historic traces. Clear distinctions can help with planning: the city has a single municipal boat ramp, you can paddle at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, and trails and Oelsner Mound each offer something different. If you are planning a stay, you can start by choosing between water, trails and history. Especially when it comes to the water, plans for paddling and swimming are not the same.

Boat Ramp, Paddling and Mangrove Coast

Nick’s Park is home to Port Richey’s only municipal boat ramp. Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park is also within Port Richey; you can bring your own kayaks and canoes there or rent them in the park. This gives you a clear choice when planning a paddling trip: bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent one in the park. The park protects four miles of coastline on the Gulf of America in western Pasco County. Mangroves line this coast; there are no beaches or swimming areas. This makes a clear difference to what you can expect from an outing: the state park combines paddling opportunities with a protected mangrove coast, not a beach or swimming area.

Assess Trails by Route and Length

If you want to include trails in your plans as well as water activities, you’ll find different points of reference. The Old Post Road Hike & Bike Trail runs along Old Post Road in Port Richey. The Scenic Drive Trailhead at 10333 Scenic Drive in Port Richey includes the Springs Trail, a short route about half a mile long. The details address different planning questions: for the Old Post Road Trail, its route along a named road is relevant; for the Springs Trail, the trailhead and approximate length are the main points. If trail length matters to you, half a mile gives you a short, explicitly approximate guide. If the road reference is more useful, the Old Post Road Trail is described as running along Old Post Road. You can assess the two options according to different criteria.

Archaeological Traces and Local History

Another historical point of interest is Oelsner Mound. It is the surviving remnant of a community from the Late Weeden Island period, probably settled around 1000 AD. In 1983, the Pasco County Commission and the Historic Preservation Committee designated Oelsner Mound as a historic site. The two dates have different roles: around 1000 AD refers to the probable settlement period, while 1983 is the year of the designation. This makes it possible to distinguish the archaeological context from its later recognition as a historic site. H.R. Nicks Memorial Park was previously called Sunset Park and Hope Landing. This history of names offers a different way to explore the past than Oelsner Mound: here, the focus is on a park’s former names, while there, it is an archaeological community and its historical period. Together, the examples show two scales of local history: a settlement dating far back in time and the evolution of a park’s name.

Discover more destinations: Holiday, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, Bayonet Point, Dade City, Zephyrhills, Hudson

For the regional travel overview: Pasco.

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