In a lesser-known corner of Withlacoochee State Forest, the Oxbow Trail is on the northernmost tract of the forest along the Withlacoochee River.
Its trails and campsites are all Eagle Scout projects, an easy main loop a popular circuit for families and folks taking their dogs on a walk.
Along the main loopThe tougher-to-follow but more visually satisfying Oxbow Nature Trail makes its way out to the very tip of the peninsula.
It provides scenic views of the Withlacoochee River from a variety of perspectives.
View of paddlers from bluffResources
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Overview
Location: Citrus Springs
Length: 1.2 mile loop
Trailhead: 29.005735, -82.387856
Address: 2787 East Withlacoochee Trail, Dunnellon
Fees: Free
Restroom: No
Land Manager: Withlacoochee State Forest
Phone: 352-797-4140
Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Mosquitoes are fierce.
Reserve riverside primitive camping via Reserve America.
Directions
Follow SR 200 south from Ocala. Continue 6.2 miles south past its junction with CR 484 to the Withlacoochee River bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn right onto CR 39 between two gas stations. Drive 2.7 miles to the trailhead on the right side of the road, just past the Johnson Pond Trail trailhead on the left.
Hike
A kiosk marks the entrance trail to the loop, a pretty connector under a canopy of wizened sand live oaks thick with lichens and resurrection fern.
Coming to a T intersection with the main loop, take a left. It’s an easy to follow and somewhat broad forest road with a cypress swamp on the right.
Entrance footpathA dense screen of oak scrub hikes the trail from the highway. At a T junction with a gate to the left, turn right.
Carolina jessamine dangles across the canopy, raining down yellow blooms as the wind ruffles the leaves of the trees of this hardwood forest. Birdsong abounds.
Broad main loopBeyond a very large oak, a trail to the left is blocked off. Continue following the more obvious path into the cypress swamp.
In the deep shade of the cypress, you’ll find a sign “Oxbow Nature Trail” at 0.4 mile. Turn left to follow this loop.
Cypress floodplainThere are lots of obstacles in the form of small cypress knees underfoot. Notice the watermarks on the cypress?
When the Withlacoochee River floods, at least half of this trail is under water. Beyond the “field of knees” is a bluff with an overlook on the river.
Large cypresses lining the far bank of the swiftly-moving waterway. The Withlacoochee River has its origin in the Green Swamp and flows northward towards Dunnellon.
The footpath may be tricky to follow but it sticks close to the bluffs, reaching a bench. Bat boxes and picnic table mark a waypoint along the loop.
Picnic benchCircling the tip of the peninsula, the footpath stays close to the river beyond this point, with more panoramas from the bluffs above the waterway.
Don’t be surprised to see kayakers drift past. Dunnellon is five miles downriver. Paddlers have several options to rent canoes and kayaks from outfitters there.
River viewStay close to the bluffs on the beaten path. On its return, the footpath roller-coasters in and out of the floodplain.
Working its way through large trees on the river’s edge, it emerges at a grassy clearing with another picnic table.
Bridge off the peninsulaThe trail comes back around to the base of the peninsula. Crossing a bridge, meet the main trail loop. Turn left.
Follow the forest road along the cypress floodplain to the paddler’s campsite, with easy access to pull watercraft onto the shore.
Camping areaEnjoy one last glimpse of the river at this point as the trail now curves away from it, around the cypress floodplain.
Passing a large live oak fuzzy with resurrection fern with a picnic table nearby, you’ve walked a mile.
Withlacoochee River at the campsiteBird song echoes through the cypress floodplain. The deep-orange blooms of trumpet vine draw attention to the canopy.
Reach the sign indicating the start of the loop. Turn left to walk the winding but short entrance trail to exit, emerging at the parking area after 1.2 miles.
Sand squares spotted in a dry 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 recreationSlideshow
See our photos from this hike
Nearby Adventures
Johnson Pond Trail A mosaic of upland habitats along the northern edge of Withlacoochee State Forest surrounds a large prairie long known as Johnson Pond.
Florida Trail, Dunnellon 2.3 miles. Tunneling through dense floodplain forests to bridge the Withlacoochee River, the paved Dunnellon Trail segment of the Florida Trail offers accessible users an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
Rainbow Springs Sandhills Trail A stroll through the gardens of Rainbow Springs leads to rolling terrain punctuated with centuries-old ravines created by phosphate mining for a walk into Dunnellon's past.
Holly Hammock Hiking Trail A 2.4 mile loop showing off the habitat diversity of Ross Prairie State Forest, this easy hike provides scenic panoramas across the prairie on a mostly shaded trail.
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