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Water crossing on Florida Trail

Florida Trail, Green Swamp West to Richloam

Weaving across rolling sandhills and along the tannic waters of the Withlacoochee River, the River Road to Richloam Loop section is an exceptionally scenic destination along the western corridor of the Florida Trail.

FT Western Corridor  |  Green Swamp West
( 28.351141, -82.106323 )      14.7 miles

The Green Swamp is a unique and precious element of Florida’s varied ecosystems. As a wetland situated on an upland area, the massive amounts of rainfall that land here are distributed to four major rivers.

The Florida Trail winds through miles of this publicly accessible land, offering gorgeous views of natural landscapes, with several primitive campsites available for backpackers along the way.

It is 1.4 miles from the Ranch Rd trailhead to meet the orange blazes of the Florida Trail plus 13.3 miles linear to Lacoochee-Clay Sink Rd to the next place you can leave a car.

The official trailhead for Richloam is the Richloam Fire Tower, another 3.6 miles past the road crossing, or 18.3 miles total. Most hikers tackle this segment as an overnight trip, with Devil’s Creek a significant obstacle to plan for.

River view through palms View of the Withlacoochee River


Resources

The Florida Trail Guide and app includes this full route; Florida Trail Hikes includes the Richloam River Loop.

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

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: Dade City
Length: 14.7 miles linear (13.3 linear on orange blazes)
Trailhead: 28.352977, -82.1248285
Address: 13347 Ranch Rd, Dade City
Fees: Free
Restrooms: No
Land manager: Southwest Florida Water Management District
Phone: 352-796-7211

Open Sunrise – Sunset. Dogs are allowed on a leash.

Free online registration is required for use of primitive campsites.

FWC manages hunting on the property. Check in advance regards scheduled hunts and always wear blaze orange clothing during hunting seasons.

River view through fall cypress colors


Directions

 
For the southern trailhead: From US 98 in Dade City, head east on River Rd for 2.6 miles, then turn left to remain on River Rd. In 2 miles, turn left onto Ranch Rd. After you cross the Withlacoochee River, the trailhead is on the right at a prominent kiosk.
 
For the northern road crossing: From US 98/301 at the north end of Dade City, drive 6.2 miles. Keep right when the roads split. Turn right on SR 575 through Lacoochee and continue 2.2 miles. Turn right on Lacoochee-Clay Sink Rd and continue 1.4 miles to the trail crossing.

Hike

From the Ranch Road trailhead of Green Swamp West, follow blue blazes eastward for 1.4 miles to an intersection with the Florida Trail.

Turn left to join the orange blazed trail, continuing 0.2 mile along Cumpressco Grade, a main access road for the property.

Signpost with variety of trails Trail intersection


Immediately after leaving Cumpressco Grade, the trail crosses a bridge over a slow moving blackwater creek.

Reaching the opposite side, follow the well-defined pathway as it cuts through palmettos in a scrubby flatwoods habitat.

Saw palmetto under blue sky and pines Scrubby flatwoods


The trail slowly ascends into a large open area of rolling hills and prairie ponds, passing the Concession Stand campsite in 1.6 miles.

Offering a cozy spot to rest or spend the evening, this campsite features picnic tables, a fire ring and pitcher pump.

Hill with pines and grass Climbing through sandhills


After crossing Ranch Road in a mile, the trail delves into an impressive hammock of large oaks and cabbage palms.

Large open areas to the east and west reveal pine-encircled ponds, as the chirps of distant frogs fill the air.

Large oaks and orange blazed post Oak hammock


At 6.6 miles, a blue-blazed trail leads eastward to the Foster Bridge campsite.

This beautiful site is situated along the edge of a wet prairie, with an access trail to the Withlacoochee River for water.

Tent at twilight Foster Bridge campsite


Heading northward, the trail follows alongside Cedar Pocket Road, using the road at points to navigate some of the swampier areas.

Ferns and palmettos flourish under a thick canopy of oaks before the path emerges into scrubby flatwoods.

Terrestrial orchid emerging from leaf litter Bog orchid in the hammock


In the late summer to fall, vibrant purple blazing stars and Florida paintbrushes intersperse with yellow goldenrod, dotting a hilly landscape of tall golden grasses.

In another half mile, the trail reaches a bank of the Withlacoochee River, providing beautiful views.

View of river from bluffs Withlacoochee River


After passing the High Bluff campsite, and a slough with several large cypress trees, the trail enters the Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, signage marking the land management boundary.

The floodplain is clearly evidenced by head-high waterlines on many of the trees, as orange blazes lead the way through muddy terrain.

Massive oak across trail Downed oak


The trail crosses Devil’s Creek a half mile later, a relatively infamous creek crossing on the Florida Trail and a potential obstacle after a serious rain.

The waters can be anywhere from ankle deep to swimming height. A bridge over this waterway has been proposed for future construction.

Hikers in deep flowing water Hikers crossing Devil’s Creek


In another 0.8 mile, meet the south end of the Richloam Loop. Turn left to continue north. Immediately after that turn is a turnoff for the blue-blazed Richloam River Trail.

It offers a detour alongside the Withlacoochee River when water levels are low, with enormous cypresses and riverside views. Use either path to continue northward.

Picnic table in woods South Campsite


Staying with the orange blazes provides access to South Campsite in another 0.7 miles off a blue blaze to the left. It’s a small site with a picnic bench but no water source.

After a mile, the trail reaches the north intersection of the blue-blazed River Trail right before this 14.7 mile segment concludes at Lacoochee-Clay Sink Rd, which has limited roadside parking.

NORTHBOUND: Richloam
SOUTHBOUND: Green Swamp West

Palms along path under pines Nearing the north end of this hike


Trail Map

Florida Trail, Ranch Road to Richloam Trail Map
Red: route described along Florida Trail (orange)

Explore More!

Learn more about the Florida Trail Western Corridor

Cypress Lakes Preserve

Florida Trail, Western Corridor

241 miles. With segments linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the Western Corridor provides access to wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala

Video


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Deeply shaded trail under sand live oaks

Florida Trail, Green Swamp West

Traversing scenic oak hammock, sandhills, and pine flatwood habitats, the southernmost six miles of the Florida Trail in Green Swamp West offers spectacular day hike and backpacking experiences.

Withlacoochee River Park

Withlacoochee River Park

With two different trails – gentle and wild – showing off the park’s natural features, Withlacoochee River Park is a popular overnight camping destination.

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

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.

Trail Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Reserve Campsite Official Website (Green Swamp) Official Website (Richloam)

Category: Backpacking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida State Forests, Hikes, Trails, Water Management Areas, Wildlife Management AreasTag: Big Trees, Brooksville, Dade City, Dog-friendly, Florida Trail, FT Western Corridor, Green Swamp, Green Swamp West, Primitive Camping, Ridge Manor, Withlacoochee River, Withlacoochee State Forest

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

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.

Order Now


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.

Order Now
 


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.

Order Now


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
  • Choose the Right Gear
  • Best Scenic Hikes
  • Best Backpacking Trips
  • Section Hiking
  • Thru-Hiking
  • Eastern Continental Trail
  • Florida Trail in South Florida
  • Florida Trail in Central Florida
  • Florida Trail in North Florida
  • Florida Trail in Northwest Florida
  • Florida Trail for Scouting
  • Florida Trail Adventures
  • Florida Trail Updates

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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