Last updated on September 27th, 2021 at 05:55 pm
YANKEETOWN — For almost 40 years, this tiny Gulf Coast community (population 545) has been attracting visitors to their remote village on Florida’s Nature Coast for the annual Yankeetown Seafood Festival.
If you’re looking for “Old Florida,” this could be your destination on the banks of the Lower Withlacoochee River, just three miles from the Gulf.
The festival, which traditionally takes place on the weekend before Thanksgiving, features locally caught Gulf seafood, entertainment, arts and crafts.
Sponsored by the Inglis-Yankeetown Lions Club, net profits support charitable causes: local, state, national and international, in that order.
The town was founded in 1923 by an Indiana politician who liked the hunting. The town got its name, the story goes, because the local mail carrier referred to the place as “that Yankee town” because of this northerner.
Yankeetown Seafood Festival website.
Kayaking, hiking, boating and fishing
Yankeetown offers boating access on the Withlacoochee River at its own public boat launch as well as two additional launches at Yankeetown Marina and B’s Marina and Campground.
There is also Gulf access at the Levy County boat ramp on County Rd. 40 as well as a small public beach suitable for canoe and kayak launching.
The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve in Yankeetown is a 413-acre swatch undeveloped wetlands, consisting of mixed hardwood, pine, and cabbage palm forest, tidal marshes, and several salt ponds.
The Preserve has a 30 foot observation tower, salt pond boardwalk, Gulf accessible canoe/kayak dock, and a 4500 square foot education center.
Local residents visit the beach at Bird Creek Park at the end of Highway 40 west of Yankeetown. It’s a popular place to launch kayaks into the Gulf and is locally famous because Elvis Presley was here! Yankeetown still remembers the day Elvis came to town – he filmed “Follow That Dream” here in summer 1961. Here’s more about Elvis in Yankeetown.
Camping near Yankeetown Seafood Festival
B’s Cypress Marina and Campground, 15 RV sites for overnight visitors with full hookups ($42) (5 tent sites with water and electric); Restrooms, showers, laundry, boat ramp, dock, kayak and pontoon boat rentals; Pets OK. 6621 Riverside Drive, Yankeetown. 352-447-5888
Big Oaks River Resort and Campground. 21 full hookup RV sites ($35 and up); cabins ($55); 5 tent sites with water and electric; Restrooms, showers, laundry, cable TV, pool. Pets OK. 14035 West River Road, Inglis. 352-447-5333
Eleanor Oaks RV Park. 60 wooded RV sites with full hookups ($32); 15 tent sites ($25). Restrooms, showers, laundry, swimming pool, Wi-Fi. 42 Cattail Lane, Yankeetown. 352-447-3050.
Other accommodations
Nature Coast Inn., 649 West Highway 40, Inglis. 352-447-7463
Withlacoochee Motel. 66 HWY 19 South, Inglis. 352-447-2211
The Magnolia House. ($89) Yankeetown, FL, 352-477-4820.
Hotels.com Search for other nearby accommodations
Fishing guides
Yankeetown Marina, 352-302-4725
Captain’s Cove Outfitters, 352-447-5610
Captain Rick’s Fishing Charters, 352-629-3605
Related links
Florida Seafood Festival Calendar
Related Florida Rambler articles
Yankeetown is located between two interesting Florida communities — Crystal River, known for its springs and manatees, and Cedar Key, an artsy small town that is a good base for kayakers.
Six things to do in Cedar Key, a charming and historic spot
Crystal River: Manatee obsessed, it’s where you see or swim with manatees:
The Withlacoochee River: One of Florida’s most scenic kayak trails
Where to see manatees in Florida
The Chaz: Springs & wildlife make this river a special kayak trail. This is a beautiful spot 25 minutes south of Crystal River. It’s a wild river where you can visit several springs and see a variety of wildlife, including manatees in the winter.
At Homosassa State Park, 15 minutes south of Crystal River, you can see manatees every day via the park’s underwater observatory of its resident manatee population. Visitors start a visit on a pontoon boat ride down Pepper Creek to the wildlife park, where you also see Florida panthers, bears, bobcats, deer, alligators and a wide variety of birds. In winter, the gates into the first-magnitude spring are opened and wild manatee flock to the warmer waters. On cold days, you may see dozens of wild manatees. The park has many attractions and charges an adult admission of $13. Kids over 5 are $5.
Crystal River Archaeological State Park preserves an ancient Native American ceremonial site located in a beautiful setting overlooking the wide Crystal River.The mounds here are surprisingly impressive, but little is really known about the people who built them starting 2,500 years ago. A small museum has interesting artifacts and the picnic tables along the water are a great place to relax. 3400 N Museum Point, Crystal River, FL 34428. 352-795-3817.
Bob Rountree is a beach bum, angler and camper who has explored Florida for decades. No adventure is complete without a scenic paddle trail or unpaved road to nowhere. Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross 12 years ago.
PATRICIA FUHRMANN
Tuesday 15th of September 2020
Who do I contact to rent table for festival Nov 21-22
Bob Rountree
Wednesday 16th of September 2020
Patricia, You need to contact the festival directly. There is a link on this page.