The Nature Coast is an informal, unofficial region of the U.S. state of Florida. The broadest definition of the Nature Coast includes the eight counties which abut the Gulf of Mexico along the Big Bend Coast as defined by geologists. From west to east the counties are Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco.[1][2] (Note that the Big Bend Coast differs from the Big Bend region of Florida.) The name "Nature Coast" was originally devised as part of a marketing campaign to promote tourism in Levy, Citrus, Hernando, and parts of Marion and Pasco counties.[3]
Many businesses and organizations incorporate "Nature Coast" in their names, but most of them do not explicitly define the region, or define a smaller region. For instance, the Nature Coast State Trail, which is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails is located in Dixie, Gilchrist and Levy counties.[4][5] The Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve includes 800 square miles (2,100 km2) of coastal water in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties.[6] The Nature Coaster website covers only Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties.[7]
The lower southern end (Pasco, Hernando, and Citrus County) are often considered part of the Tampa Bay Area.[8][9]
