Hiking Croom Hiking Trail

One of several tracts comprising the Withlacoochee State Forest, Croom is named after a nearby ghost town that existed on the banks of the forest’s namesake river.

The Western Corridor of the Florida Trail passes through 15.4 miles of the Croom Tract, including the Croom River Trail.

This section spans from the Croom Trailhead to the north boundary of the forest, crossing nearly ten miles of woodlands in a rural corner of Florida.

Gap in orange blazed fence with road beyond

Croom-Rital Rd crossing between the River Trail and Croom Hiking Trail at Croom trailhead

Connecting to this hike are cross trails that create loop hikes labeled the Croom A, B, and C Loops, as well as the Silver Lake Loop to the east.

Only the east and north sides of the loop system are marked with the orange blazes of the linear Florida Trail. We cover the 24.9 miles of the Croom Loops separately.

Tucker Hill trailhead kiosk at trail entrance

Cars can be left overnight at Tucker Hill Recreation Area for backpackers tackling the Croom Loops

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

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Overview

Location: Brooksville
Length: 9.8 miles linear
Trailhead: 28.563482, -82.221998
Address: Croom Rital Road, Riverview, FL 33569
Fees: Free at Croom trailhead. Parking fees at Silver Lake and Tucker Hill.
Restrooms: At Silver Lake and Tucker Hill recreation areas
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 352-797-4140

Open daylight hours unless camping. Leashed dogs welcome. Both campgrounds and primitive campsites available. Reserve in advance.

Check hunting dates before you go. Wear bright orange during hunts.

The SWAMP Mountain Bike Club has built an extensive mountain bike system throughout the north end of the forest.

You’ll find yourself crossing and meeting up the bike trail at some campsites. Bikers and hikers should be on separate trail systems, per signage at Tucker Hill.

Directions

Take Interstate 75 exit 301 to SR 50. Drive east 1 mile to Croom-Rital Road and turn left at the traffic light. The River Trail starts at the Ridge Manor trailhead and ends at Croom-Rital Rd parking area. For the Croom Hiking Trail, start here or at Silver Lake Recreation Area.

North of the Interstate 75 underpass, look for cars parked at the blue-blazed trail crossing along the Withlacoochee State Trail, the Silver Lake Loop junction. This is also a decent place to park for a day hike.

Backpackers should continue up Croom Road to Tucker Hill Recreation Area to leave your car overnight. Alternatively, you may do so at Silver Lake. Check with the camp host. A fee may apply.

The north end of this hike emerges onto Willow Street east of Perry Oldenberg WEA, north of Brooksville off US 41. Parking is roadside or at the Perry Oldenberg trailheads. Cars should not be left overnight.

Hike

From the parking area, look for an orange-blazed post on the west side of the road. Passing through a gap in the fence, head down a narrow path through tall bushes.

Continue across the paved Withlacoochee State Trail, following a double blaze into the adjacent woods.

Double blazed post

Paralleling the paved path through a mix of scrubby sandhill and hardwood hammocks, the trail briefly leaves tree cover at 0.7 mile to pass under Interstate 75.

This linear section continues for a mile before turning west away from the Withlacoochee State Trail near the Silver Lake Loop junction to enter a spotty canopy of live and turkey oaks.

Oak forest

Large swaths of reindeer moss carpet the forest floor until the terrain becomes swampier as the trail passes a pond lined with cypress and sweetgum.

After the trail crosses Croom Rd, the habitat changes with the addition of pine trees and saw palmettos.

Palmettos and pine

A short yellow-blazed trail in 0.2 mile leads to an inviting camping area complete with a picnic table and fire ring under a shady cluster of oaks.

Continuing northward on the hike, shade is limited as the path leads into an open sandhill habitat.

B Loop Camping Zone

Longleaf pines, sand live oaks, and turkey oaks dot the landscape as the trail weaves through a low cover of wiregrass, ironweed, sages, and blazing stars.

As the path wraps around the edge of a small, open prairie pond, it begins a westward trek across the forest.

Sand live oak limbs and open woods beyond

Sandhill habitat

Flat terrain gives way to undulating landscapes as the trail traverses several rolling hills. The climbs are gradual, and the views from the top are spectacular.

Shortly after crossing Forest Road 7, the trail ascends a steep hill by Florida standards before quickly dropping down the other side.

Climbing Mt. Croom

Among the familiar turkey oaks, live oaks, and pines within the sandhill habitat, an impressive variety of vegetation thrives despite the arid soil conditions.

Depending on the time of year, coral bean, yucca and sandhill milkweed may be in bloom, adding splashes of color to the primarily green and brown scenery.

Yucca

At the Willow Street connector trail junction, continue following orange blazes northward.

Approaching the edge of the forest, the trail cuts through a corner of an old pine farm before reaching a sign for Willow St at 9.8 miles.

From here, the trail takes a short road walk due west before reaching Perry Oldenburg Wildlife & Environmental Area.

Willow Street sign

NORTHBOUND: Willow Street to Chinsegut WEA
SOUTHBOUND: Croom River Trail

Blue waters of lake as seen through trees

Silver Lake is now along a side trail off the FT

Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about Withlacoochee State Forest

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