Established in 1933 as a wayside park off US 41 south of Floral City, McKethan Lake is now a recreation area within Withlacoochee State Forest.
Home to picnic pavilions shaded by ancient live oaks, its day use area is the ideal starting point for a clockwise loop around the lake.
McKethan LakeThere are several other marked access points to the nature trail, including a spur trail connecting to it from the state forest headquarters.
A small children’s play area sits near the lake at the day use area; other waterfront access points are popular for fishing.
A fine example of CCC “parkitecture”Resources
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Overview
Location: Nobleton
Length: 2.1 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.64847, -82.33773
Address: 15185 N Broad St, Brooksville
Fees: $2 per person
Restroom: At the picnic area
Land manager: Florida Forest Service
Phone: 352-797-4140
Day use only. Pets not permitted. The recreation area is a no hunting zone.
Directions
From Interstate 75 exit 314, take SR 48 west for 1.1 mile and make a left on Hayes Rd. After 0.8 mile turn right onto CR 476. Drive west 12 miles, crossing the Withlacoochee River in Nobleton. At US 41, turn right and continue north a half mile to the recreation area entrance on the left, just past the Withlacoochee State Forest Visitor Center. Turn right to follow the one-way loop around the lake. Your starting point is at the picnic area a mile around the one-way loop.
Hike
Across the park drive from the waterfront and restrooms, head towards a picnic pavilion. The first Nature Trail sign is to the right of it. Two posts outline the entrance.
A well-worn path into climax sandhills, it slips through the shade of laurel oaks. The understory is relatively open, leaf-strewn with clumps of fallen Spanish moss from the canopy.
Clockwise start on the Nature TrailPass a 1-1/2 mile sign, which refers to the distance clockwise along this loop from an access point just inside the front gate.
Walk beneath a large sweetgum, reaching a bench at 0.6 miles. Numbered interpretive markers adjoin plants; Marker 22 points out a yucca.
First bench along the loopThe understory becomes denser on a climb through the laurel oak forest, traffic sounds filtering in from US 41. Pines enter the mix, creating a pleasant layer of needles underfoot.
Turn and descend towards a split rail fence along the park road. Turn left to follow the edge of the road towards a chimney standing near the park entrance.
Trailhead kiosk near the park entranceCross over the park road to a small trailhead near the exit of the park drive and re-enter the forest at 0.8 miles.
Descend into a lush green hammock and cross a bridge, the footpath winding through saw palmetto. Southern magnolias keep the canopy green.
FootbridgeCross a second bridge and the habitat shifts. Live oaks dominate the high canopy, including some absolutely enormous specimens. Thick grapevines dangle from high above.
Soon after the incoming trail from park headquarters at 1.2 miles, transition into a straightaway. Young oaks and sparkleberry crowd the understory.
High canopy of oaksPass a bench at 1.4 miles, a stop in a puddle of shade. At 1.6 miles, emerge under a canopy of grand old live oaks to the park road and cross it.
Enter a fence gap with a Foot Traffic Only sign. This pathway leads to a narrow bridge over a marshy stream.
Bridge over a cove of the lakeFrom the bridge, enjoy an open panorama of McKethan Lake. Following the arrow signs, go along a split-rail fence to a picnic spot along the park road and cross it again.
Enter the woods at the Nature Trail sign. Towering magnolias stand above the relict sandhills, again crowded with spindly laurel oaks.
Towering magnoliasPass a 1 Mile sign. An arrow points out the correct path near a property boundary with an adjoining pasture.
Coming up to a shed, turn right to exit the loop. Facing the large picnic pavilion at the day use area, walk down to the parking area to complete this 2.1 mile hike.
Finish at the day use areaTrail 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 recreationVideo
A walk through the McKethan Lake Nature Trail
Slideshow
See our photos from McKethan Lake
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