Way down under the Withlacoochee State Forest, there’s a whole other world waiting to be explored.
Withlacoochee State Forest
Activities in Withlacoochee State Forest
Brooksville
Home to the Withlacoochee State Forest and near to Weeki Wachee Spring, Brooksville is the county seat of Hernando County, founded in the 1840s
Citrus Hiking Trail
One of Florida’s longest backpacking loops – and the longest within a single piece of public land – the Citrus Hiking Trail offers up to 43 miles of rugged and interesting terrain near Inverness
Dade City
Gateway to the vast Green Swamp, Dade City offers easy access to day hikes and backpacking trips in the vast green spaces of Withlacoochee State Forest and water management district lands.
Florida Trail, Western Corridor
241.0 miles. The Western Corridor provides excellent hiking opportunities within easy reach of residents of the Tampa Bay area, offering numerous backpacking loops. It traverses the Green Swamp in addition to vast sections of Withlacoochee State Forest and the entire Cross Florida Greenway.
Hog Island Nature Trail
For a dip into primordial wilderness along the Withlacoochee River, walk the Hog Island Nature Trail at Hog Island Recreation Area in Withlacoochee State Forest
Inverness
Along the Nature Coast, Inverness offers an amazing array of hiking, backpacking, and cycling opportunities in the Withlacoochee State Forest and on the Withlacoochee State Trail.
Johnson Pond Trail
Just south of the Withlacoochee River lies the Two Mile Prairie Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest, where the Johnson Pond Trail provides a walk through sandhills and oak scrub, touching on prairies along its 2.7-mile loop.
Oxbow Trail
With two loops along an oxbow in the Withlacoochee River, the Oxbow Trail is the northernmost trail in Withlacoochee State Forest and a scenic short walk.
Where to find multi-day backpacking loops
As cool weather rolls around, we always get asked about the best places to get out on Florida’s trails for multi-day backpacking trips, and this season is no exception. Bryan wrote in and asked: I’m interested in doing my first solo multi-day (3-4 days) hike in November but am not sure where to go and […]