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

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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.

Withlacoochee State Forest  |  Ridge Manor
( 28.526758, -82.218781 )      3.9 miles

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.

Resources

50 Hikes in Central FloridaOrlando & Central Florida: An Explorer's Guide

Overview

Location: Ridge Manor
Length: 3.9 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.526758, -82.218781
Fees: None
Restroom: At the trailhead
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 352-797-4140

Open daylight hours. Leashed dogs welcome. Be sure to check on hunting dates before you go. Wear bright orange during hunts. It’s also a smart idea to check on river levels for the Withlacoochee River, since this portion of the trail has been deeply flooded when the river rises.

Directions

Take I-75 exit 301 to SR 50. Drive east 1 mile to Croom-Rital Road and turn left at the traffic light. The trailhead is on the right after a quarter mile.

Hike

From the parking area, walk past the picnic area on the opposite side of the Withlacoochee State Trail. Look for the fence and a trail kiosk under the big oak tree. Sign in at the trail register and start your hike.

Blue Loop Trail sign in Croom
Blue Loop Trail sign in Croom

The trail leads through an oak hammock and a pine plantation before it reaches an old pasture where you see the first Blue Loop Trail sign. Turn left and follow this blue-blazed trail downhill into the floodplain.

Curving through a deep basin, it makes its way down to cypress swamps that are occasionally fed by the river overflowing. Notice the watermarks on the trees. They were over our heads when we hiked here.

Croom River Trail Loop
Cypress swamp with watermarks up high

By 1.7 miles, you reach a T intersection with the orange-blazed Florida Trail at the second Blue Loop Trail sign. Turn right and follow the trail upriver. It offers scenic views not just of the river but of enormous cypress trees and knees in oxbow ponds to your right.

Blue Loop Trail Florida
Cypress knees up to five feet tall in an oxbow pond

When the trail leaves the river, it follows a long tunnel under the oaks. At the trail junction, stay with the main path and you complete the loop, passing the first Blue Loop Trail sign again. Continue through the pines and oaks to exit.

Trail Map

Croom River Trail Loop Map

Download Florida State Forest map of Croom

Explore More

Croom River Trail

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.

Florida Trail, Cypress Lakes Preserve

At Cypress Lakes Preserve, a 1.7-mile segment of the Florida Trail follows the edge of a series of cypress-lined lakes where ancient trees have survived the ages


Official Website

Category: Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Loop Hikes, TrailsTag: Best Dog Hikes, Brooksville, Dog-friendly, Florida State Forests, Florida Trail, Florida's Adventure Coast, FT Croom, FT Western Corridor, Ridge Manor, Riverfront, Scenic Hikes, Withlacoochee River, Withlacoochee State Forest

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Our Florida Trail Books

Florida Trail Guidebook cover The comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $18.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock

Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail HikesThe best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail large coffee table book cover of trail down swamp causeway under ancient pines

Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.
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The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

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Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

  • Florida Trail Overview
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Florida Trail by Section

Porter Lake, Apalachicola National Forest

Florida Trail, Apalachicola

Florida Trail, Apalachicola
Florida Trail Big Bend view

Florida Trail, Big Bend

Florida Trail, Big Bend
Florida Trail Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Big Cypress

Florida Trail, Blackwater

Florida Trail, Blackwater
Florida Trail Nokuse

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle

Florida Trail, Central Panhandle
Eglin Weaver Creek

Florida Trail, Eglin

Florida Trail, Eglin
Florida Trail Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee

Florida Trail, Kissimmee
Florida Trail at Rice Creek

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida

Florida Trail, Northeast Florida
Juniper Prairie Wilderness

Florida Trail, Ocala

Florida Trail, Ocala
Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Florida Trail, Ocean to Lake

Florida Trail, Ocean to Lake
Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee

Florida Trail, Okeechobee
Florida Trail at Forever Florida

Florida Trail, Orlando

Florida Trail, Orlando
Florida Trail Seashore Dunes

Florida Trail, Seashore

Florida Trail, Seashore
Florida Trail along a canal south of Clewiston

Florida Trail, Seminole

Florida Trail, Seminole
No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

Florida Trail, Suwannee
Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

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