Providing multiple options for day hikes and backpacking trips, the Croom Hiking Trail has its roots in the earliest efforts to build the statewide Florida Trail in the 1970s.
While only the east side of the loop system is marked with the orange blazes of the Florida Trail, the cross trails and outer loop provide plenty of options of backpackers and day hikers to explore this upland area without getting their feet wet.
Resources
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Guthook Guides GPS-driven map-based guide to the Florida National Scenic Trail with thousands of waypoints from The Florida Trail Guide. Works offline. For iPhone and Android. Overview
Location: Ridge Manor
Length: Loops from 7 to 20 miles
Trailhead: 28.5938,-82.2956 (Tucker Hill)
Access Points: 28.5848,-82.2268 (Croom-Rital Road), 28.5945,-82.2367 (Croom Road)
Fees: Parking fee at Tucker Hill trailhead
Restroom: At the Tucker Hill Recreation Area
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 352-797-4140
Trip Planning
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.
Camping is only permitted in designated campsites. See our guidebook or app for specific locations.
The SWAMP Mountain Bike Club has built an extensive mountain bike system throughout the north end of the forest, which you’ll find yourself crossing and meeting up with at some of the campsites. Bikers and hikers should be using separate trail systems, per signage at Tucker Hill.
Directions
Take I-75 exit 301 to SR 50. Drive east 1 mile to Croom-Rital Road and turn left at the traffic light. Follow the road north past the Ridge Manor trailhead and the entrance to Silver Lake Recreation Area, passing under Interstate 75.
Look for cars parked at the blue-blazed trail crossing along the Withlacoochee State Trail before you reach where the paved trail crosses the road. This is a decent place to park for a day hike, as is the next orange-blazed crossing along Croom Road, not far after the curve.
Backpackers should continue up Croom Road to Tucker Hill Recreation Area to leave your car overnight.
Hike
Built in the 1970s to provide a place for backpackers to enjoy an overnight or a long weekend, the Croom Hiking Trail is made up of three stacked loops: A, B, and C.
The thru-portion of the Florida Trail (blazed orange) follows the eastern and northern perimeter. Cross trails are blazed blue, and the rest of the trail system is blazed yellow.
Loop A is part of the Florida State Forests Trailwalker Program. It has the most habitat diversity and elevation changes.
Along the loop, look for sinkholes and karst outcrops. The loop is 7.2 miles but to hike it, add a half-mile out-and-back from Tucker Hill trailhead for a 7.7-mile hike.
Loop B, the middle loop, is 9.6 miles and has a campsite along it on the eastern side of the loop, a beauty spot under the sand live oaks. Since it is more accessible than the other two loops it tends to be the most popular one for hikers.
At 5.7 miles, Loop C is the shortest and southernmost, but must be accessed via the west side of Loop B from Tucker Hill for an 6.9-mile balloon hike.
Sandhills are the primary habitat here, which means rolling hills with elevation changes. There is very little in the way of surface water except for a couple of ephemeral ponds in prairies.
You should plan to carry enough water with you for the hike, or make sure a stop at Tucker Hill to top off water is in your hike plan.
Trail Map
Explore More
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
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.
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
These really are lovely dry trails, with ….hills!!! (especially the north loop). If you get hot, swim in the Withlacoochee.
beach on the way into car campground.