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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.

Florida Trail, Western Corridor  |  Withlacoochee State Forest
( 28.563482, -82.221998 )      9.8 miles

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

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: 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.

Sandhill forest

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.

Posts with blazes in 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.

Moss covered ground under small 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.

Pine forest with 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.

Picnic table under oaks 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.

Steep uphill in pine forest 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 amid turkey oak leaves 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.

Trail reaches chain link fence and sign 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

Florida Trail Croom Trail Map
Red: route described. Orange: connecting Florida Trail. Blue: connecting trails. Light blue: paved bike paths.

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

Videos

Hike the orange blazes of the Croom Hiking Trail


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

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.

Long stretch of bike path in forest

Withlacoochee State Trail

Tracing 44 miles of railroad history down forested corridors, past big lakes and city parks, and through quaint communities, the Withlacoochee State Trail is one sweet ride

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

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

Trail Map (PDF) Hunt Dates River Levels Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Loop Hikes, TrailsTag: Best Dog Hikes, Brooksville, Croom Tract, Dog-friendly, Florida State Forests, Florida Trail, Florida's Adventure Coast, FT Croom, FT Western Corridor, Geology, Primitive Camping, Ridge Manor, Weekends, Withlacoochee State Forest

Have an update? Contact us.

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Our Florida Trail Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail Hikes

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

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Discovering the Florida Trail

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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The Florida Trail

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.

Learn More

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.

Get the App!

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
  • Plan your Hike
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  • Best Backpacking Trips
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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

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail

Ocean to Lake Hiking Trail
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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