• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Bright red spiky flower in bloom in front of tree trunk

Croom Loop C

Showcasing elements of a sandhill ecosystem, Loop C in the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest offers broad views of varied foliage and wildflowers under a sparse canopy.

Croom Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest  |  Brooksville
( 28.593644, -82.296506 )      7.2 miles

132 shares

One of several tracts within Withlacoochee State Forest, the Croom Tract near Brooksville provides miles of popular hiking, biking, and horse trails.

Loop C is one of three connected loops on the west side of the tract. It can be hiked as a day hike out of the Tucker Hill Trailhead.

More extensive miles for an overnight trip can be added by connecting to the other loops, which feature designated primitive campsites.

Lupines in bloom along a trail Lupines blooming trailside on Loop C


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Brooksville
Length: 7.2-mile loop
Trailhead: 28.593670, -82.295856
Address: 26416 County Rd 480, Brooksville
Fees: $2 per person
Restrooms: At the Tucker Hill trailhead
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 352-797-4140

Open sunrise to sunset unless camping in a designated primitive campsite. Leashed dogs allowed.

Croom is a popular hunting destination, particularly during the fall deer season. Check ahead on hunt dates and wear bright orange clothing if hiking during hunting seasons.

Footpath under a pair of oaks


Directions

 
From Interstate 75 exit 301, Ridge Manor/Brooksville, drive west on SR 50/US 98 for 3.9 miles before turning right onto Mondon Hill Rd. In 3.3 miles, turn right at Preston Rd. Continue for 1.4 miles before turning left at Camp Castle Rd, then turn right onto Weatherly Rd in 0.4 mile. In 0.6 mile turn right onto CR 480, and the trailhead will be on the right in 2.1 miles.

Hike

From the large trailhead kiosk, head east between two wooden fences for two hundred feet, before turning right next to a sign indicating the hiking trail.

Yellow blazes lead the way as the well-trodden path leads through a patchy hardwood forest.

Large trailhead kiosk Tucker Hill Trailhead


The trail slowly descends gently sloping terrain while transitioning to a sandhill habitat.

In 0.7 mile, turn left, following blue blazes eastward to begin the loop in a clockwise direction.

A post with diamond-shaped signs indicates an intersection with the “B – C” loops.

Yellow blaze and post Nearing the start of the loop


Slash pines dot the brushy landscape alongside turkey and sand live oaks.

In the spring, coral bean shrubs produce striking groups of flowers that give way to distinctive arrowhead-shaped leaves later in the year.

Bright red spiky flower in front of tree trunk Coral bean in bloom


Skyblue lupines form in clusters on the forest floor, recognizable by their elliptical, dark sage green leaves and showy lavender blooms.

The sparse tree cover provides little shade, allowing wiregrass to thrive, and grow back quickly after a burn.

Lupine clusters on forest floor in pine forest Skyblue lupine clusters


Continue following blue blazes for 1.2 miles to an intersection with the yellow blazed “C” loop.

Larger oaks become more prevalent, growing in close stands amongst pines, blueberries, and turkey oak saplings.

Tangle of dark oak limbs against green forest backdrop Gnarled oaks


Reaching 2.5 miles, the blazed route crosses a popular paved bike path known as the Good Neighbor Trail, which is a segment of the larger Florida Coast to Coast Trail.

In another 0.7 mile, the loop turns westward, passing over rolling sandhill landscapes.

Linear paved trail off to the horizon in the woods The Good Neighbor Trail leads to downtown Brooksville


Shortly after crossing FR 7 in 0.8 mile, the blazes become a little tricky as the trail enters Twin Pond Hunt Camp.

The forest is peculiar around you while walking through the camp, and historic mining activity is evident near what was once the town of Croom.

The trail winds alongside an unnatural ravine before ascending to a familiar sandhill habitat.

Undulating forest floor An old mine adjoining the trail


Following a corridor though panoramas of pine accented by islands of oaks, the trail meanders northward, completing the loop at 6.5 miles.

Turning left at this intersection, yellow blazes lead back to the trailhead in 0.7 mile.

Forest of oaks and pines Mosaic of oak and pine


Trail Map

Croom Loop C Trail Map
Red: route described. Blue: connectors. Light blue: Good Neighbor Trail.

Explore More!

Learn more about Withlacoochee State Forest

Citrus Trail at Lizzie Hart Sink

Withlacoochee State Forest

With more than 155,000 acres spread over several counties, Withlacoochee State Forest is Florida’s second largest state forest, and arguably the most popular for outdoor recreation

Video

Virtual hike of Croom Loop C


Nearby Adventures

Other nearby trails in the Croom Tract

Trail climbing through pine forest

Florida Trail, Croom Hiking Trail

9.8 miles. Traversing rolling landscapes of the Brooksville Ridge, the Croom section of the Florida Trail provides miles of panoramic views within a large area of sandhill habitat.

Sandra cycling into a pine forest on elevated paved trail

Good Neighbor Trail

An important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail stretches 10.1 miles from downtown Brooksville to the Withlacoochee State Trail

Ribbon of blue river between forested banks

Florida Trail, Croom River Trail

A pleasant ramble on bluffs above the Withlacoochee River, the Croom River Trail segment of the Florida Trail tunnels through oak hammocks and slips around cypress swamps along its 6.3-mile journey.

Croom River Trail

Croom River Trail Loop

Using the Florida Trail and the Blue Loop Trail, hikers can explore a picturesque corner of Withlacoochee State Forest in Ridge Manor along a 3.9-mile loop.

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Hikes, Loop Hikes, TrailsTag: Brooksville, Croom Tract, Dog-friendly, Florida State Forests, Florida's Adventure Coast, Good Neighbor Trail, Nature Coast, Primitive Camping, Ridge Manor, Wildflowers, Withlacoochee State Forest

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

CENTRAL FLORIDA

CENTRAL FLORIDA OVERVIEW
East Coast Greenway. Florida Trail

Brooksville. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. Kissimmee. Lakeland. Leesburg. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Orlando. Sanford. St. Petersburg. Tampa.

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.
Order Now


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Five Star Trails Orlando guidebook
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Apps Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Edge of island along blue waters of lake

Inglis Dam & Island Recreation Area

Inglis Dam & Island Recreation Area
Cove with a boat floating in it between rocky walls and palm trees

Felburn Park

Felburn Park
Expanse of water with boat headed into distance

Withlacoochee Bay Trail

Withlacoochee Bay Trail
View of expansive water beyond coastal trees

Fort Island Beach

Fort Island Beach

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks River. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail Lake Wales Ridge.

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg.Lithia. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Riverview. Ruskin. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Park. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction. Zephyrhills

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coconut Creek. Coral Gables. Coral Springs. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2023, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact