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.
Croom-Rital Rd crossing between the River Trail and Croom Hiking Trail at Croom trailheadConnecting 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.
Cars can be left overnight at Tucker Hill Recreation Area for backpackers tackling the Croom LoopsResources
Resources for exploring the area
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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.
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 postParalleling 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 forestLarge 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 pineA 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 ZoneLongleaf 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.
Sandhill habitatFlat 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. CroomAmong 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.
YuccaAt 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 signNORTHBOUND: Willow Street to Chinsegut WEA
SOUTHBOUND: Croom River Trail
Silver Lake is now along a side trail off the FTTrail 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
Videos
Hike the orange blazes of the Croom Hiking Trail
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.
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
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