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

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Ribbon of blue river between forested banks

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.

Croom Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest  |  Ridge Manor
( 28.526758, -82.218781 )      6.3 miles

173 shares

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.


Resources

The Florida Trail Guide book coverFlorida Trail Hikes book coverCentral Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover50 Hikes in Central Florida

Overview

Location: Ridge Manor
Length: 6.3 miles linear
Trailhead: 28.526758, -82.218781 (Ridge Manor trailhead), 28.563416, -82.22015 (Cypress Glen trailhead), 28.565763, -82.207488 (Crooked River trailhead)
Fees: None
Restroom: At the Ridge Manor and Crooked River trailheads
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 sign-in at the Ridge Manor trailhead – and the amount of people we encountered on this footpath on a weekend – we can confirm the Croom River Trail portion of the Florida Trail is quite popular, and for good reason.

Access is near Interstate 75, the views are fabulous, and you can camp right along it at beautiful Crooked River Campground, which is why it’s a favorite of Scout troops for a merit badge hike.

It is also one of the hikes that qualify for the Florida State Forests Trailwalker Program.

To find the southern terminus of this hike, walk past the picnic area on the opposite side of the Withlacoochee State Trail from the parking area and restrooms at Ridge Manor trailhead. Look for the fence and a trail kiosk under the big oak tree.

Croom River Trail
Trailhead for the Croom River Trail

The hike starts off in a mature stand of planted pines before the landscape opens up.

After you pass the side trail for the Croom River Trail Loop (Blue Loop Trail sign), continue along the main footpath.

It joins up with the Florida Trail coming in from the south through a gate in a subdivision off SR 50. You may not notice the merger of trails, but you will notice the long tunnel under the oaks.

Croom River Trail
The oak tunnel

The straightaway ends at the river bluffs, where the trail turns upriver. Walking along the bluffs, you catch glimpses of the river through the trees.

A bench provides a perch at a nice river bend before you reach the second junction with the Blue Loop after 2.2 miles.

Croom River Trail
Nice view from a bench

Continue along the orange blazes, which zigzag through a swampy area before heading back out to the river again.

The trail leaves the river briefly and goes around a pine plantation, resuming its place on the bluffs around 3 miles.

Croom River Trail
Scout troop hiking along the section that leaves the river briefly

Views are interrupted occasionally by oxbow ponds with cypresses. At 4 miles, the trail goes around a swamp with some enormous cypresses.

It leads you under a beautiful canopy of live oaks in order to cross a bridge over a stream.

Returning to the river bluffs, remain there for the next mile, enjoying occasional spots with benches and views.

Croom River Trail
One of the large sand live oaks near the cypress swamp

When the trail turns away from the river, it heads up a straightaway to Crooked River Campground, where there is free trailhead parking.

You can end your hike here after 5.2 miles, or continue on through Cypress Glen to follow the orange blazes out to a parking area along Croom-Rital Road for a full 6.3 mile hike.

It’s possible to walk back to the Ridge Manor along the paved Withlacoochee State Trail – a 2.6-mile walk – to turn this into a 8.9-mile loop.


Trail Map

Croom River Trail Map


Explore More

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.

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) Reserve Campsite Hunt Dates Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, TrailsTag: Botanical, Brooksville, Car Camping, Croom Tract, Dade City, Developed Camping, Dog-friendly, Favorites, Florida State Forests, Florida's Adventure Coast, FT Croom, FT Western Corridor, Ridge Manor, Riverfront, Scenic Hikes, Withlacoochee River, 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
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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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