One of five management areas in Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, the East Tract protects vast swaths of land near the headwaters of the Withlacoochee River.
It is a remote wilderness, an intricate mix of swamp and mesic uplands that also supplies water to the Hillsborough, Peace, and Ocklawaha Rivers.
The western corridor of the Florida Trail snakes across the property, threading through a mosaic of wetlands into the Green Swamp West Tract and beyond.
Entrance to the Green Swamp East TractDeveloped and maintained by Florida Trail Association volunteers, the Weekend Loop provides options for a day or overnight hike along a well-maintained path.
It has spectacular natural scenery and interesting historical features.
The hike can be significantly shortened by combining the Florida Trail with the Day Loop for a 7.8-mile round trip.
Withlacoochee RiverResources
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Overview
Location: Polk City
Length: 15.5 miles
Trailhead: 28.303056, -81.918528
Address: 17301 Rockridge Rd, Polk City
Fees: Free
Restrooms: Seasonal portable toilet at hunt check station
Land manager: Southwest Florida Water Management District
Phone: 352-796-7211
Open 30 minutes before sunrise – 30 minutes after sunset, leashed dogs welcome.
Seasonal hunting occurs. Check hunt dates in advance and wear blaze orange during hunts.
Directions
Follow US 98 west from Lakeland. Turn east on Rockridge Rd and follow it 10 miles. The well-marked trailhead will be on the left side of the road.
Hike
Starting at a large Florida Trail kiosk with maps and information about the area, look to the east for orange blazes leading into the woods.
The path winds through a mix of shady hammocks and open pine forests while tracking northward, using a forest road to circumnavigate a couple of wet areas.
Trailhead kioskEmerging from the forest at 2.3 miles, the trail takes a sharp right turn to cross the Withlacoochee River on a large bridge.
Depending on recent rains, dark tannic water may be flowing swiftly under the bridge, or it may be a dry riverbed.
After a few more water crossings, stay on the dirt road as orange blazes lead into the woods, looking to the right for a white blaze indicating the loop trail.
Withlacoochee river bridgeA mowed corridor leads eastward atop an old logging tram, offering slightly elevated views of the surrounding forest.
Wooden bridges cross a few seasonally wet areas where the tram dips into swampy depressions.
Swamp boardwalkAt 4.2 miles, white blazes curve left where a 0.2-mile blue blazed trail leads to the Tillman Hammock campsite, a cozy spot under the oaks with picnic tables and a fire ring.
The trail turns westward, navigating shrubby mesic flatwoods bordered by a mosaic of cypress domes.
Tillman HammockFollow a narrow pathway cutting across a sea of palmetto and gallberry dotted with scattered pines.
An array of grasses and wildflowers line the trail, including rose gentians, yellow milkworts, tarflowers, and milkweeds.
Pine savannaThe trail crosses a dirt road at eight miles, entering an oak hammock that was once the site of the Stewart homestead.
A few structures remain today, notably a gravesite and cattle dipping vat.
Grave at the old homesteadReturning to the Florida Trail at 10.3 miles, turn left to follow orange and white blazed trees that are soon joined by a blue blaze.
This section of trail is shared with the Weekend and Day loops. The path leaves pine flatwoods, entering a shady hydric hammock before reaching a railroad grade.
Trail junctionAt this junction, a tenth of a mile spur leads to an overlook where the tram would have continued into the cypress swamp on a bridge.
Follow the tramway eastward for 0.8 mile, as it passes an intersection with the Day Loop before curving onto the main forest road.
From this point, continue south for 2.7 miles along the orange blazes to finish the hike at the trailhead.
Tramway overlookTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking the Green Swamp East Weekend Loop
Slideshow
See our photos from Green Swamp East
Nearby Adventures
Colt Creek State Park For a getaway from the busy bustle of the Interstate 4 corridor between Lakeland and Tampa, wander an extensive trail system and camp beneath the twinkling stars at Colt Creek State Park.
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. 
Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail Following the north side of a blackwater river toward its headwaters, the Upper Hillsborough River Hiking Trail meanders though pine flatwoods, shady hammocks, and forested wetlands. 
Lower Green Swamp Preserve Miles of mixed-use trail loops traverses riverine forests and pine savanna, offering views of vast wet prairies and cypress swamps. 
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