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Citrus Trail at Lizzie Hart Sink

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 recreation

Brooksville      ( 28.637551, -82.339478 )      

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With more than 155,000 acres spread over several counties, Withlacoochee State Forest is Florida’s second largest state forest. It is one of the most popular destinations in Central Florida for outdoor recreation.

The Western Corridor of the Florida Trail works its way through the Richloam, Croom, and Citrus Tracts of the forest.

Each of these also have recreation areas with their own followings: cycling, camping, hunting, equestrian, off-road motorcycles, and even caving.

Paddlers can enjoy the Withlacoochee River and its tributaries, while backpackers will appreciate the three long loop trails developed long ago by the Florida Trail Association.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida

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

For permits and questions:
Withlacoochee State Forest Visitor Center
15003 Broad Street
Brooksville, Florida 34601
Phone: 352-797-4140
Open 8-12 and 1-4:30, Mon-Fri


Recreation Destinations


Recent Destinations

Bright red spiky flower in bloom in front of tree trunk

Croom Loop C

Showcasing elements of a sandhill ecosystem, Loop C in the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest offers broad views of varied foliage and wildflowers under a sparse canopy.

Blazed pine in a sandhill forest

Florida Trail, Croom to Chinsegut

4.1 miles. North of Brooksville, two environmental areas and a state forest are paired with a short backwoods roadwalk as an example of conservation within a rural community.

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.

Long stretch of bike path in forest

Withlacoochee State Trail

Tracing 44 miles of railroad history down forested corridors, past big lakes and city parks, and through quaint communities, the Withlacoochee State Trail is one sweet ride

Sandra cycling into a pine forest on elevated paved trail

Good Neighbor Trail

An important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail stretches 10.1 miles from downtown Brooksville to the Withlacoochee State Trail

Trail climbing through pine forest

Florida Trail, Croom Hiking Trail

9.8 miles. Traversing rolling landscapes of the Brooksville Ridge, the Croom section of the Florida Trail provides miles of panoramic views within a large area of sandhill habitat.

 
More Trails


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Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

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

Sandra cycling into a pine forest on elevated paved trail

Good Neighbor Trail

An important link in the Florida Coast to Coast Trail, the Good Neighbor Trail stretches 10.1 miles from downtown Brooksville to the Withlacoochee State Trail

Chinsegut Conservation Center Tract

Discover the beauty of May’s Prairie at the heart of the Chinsegut Conservation Center Tract

Fickett Hammock

Fickett Hammock Preserve

Delving deep into a hardwood hammock with towering trees, the loop trail at Fickett Hammock Preserve quickly immerses you into a shady forest of botanical beauty.

Maps for Withlacoochee State Forest

Note: Maps are in PDF format and supplied by state agencies.


Citrus Tract | Croom Tract | Homosassa Tract | Jumper Creek Tract | Richloam Tract | Two Mile Prairie Tract | Withlacoochee River Paddling Trail, South


Official Website


Nearby: Brooksville, Bushnell, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Dade City, Inverness

Category: Biking, Camping, Central Florida, Destinations, Equestrian, Florida State Forests, Hikes, TrailsTag: Best Camping, Brooksville, Car Camping, Dade City, Developed Camping, Florida State Forests, Florida's Adventure Coast, Locations, Primitive Camping, Ridge Manor, Withlacoochee River, Withlacoochee State Trail

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Lengthy boardwalk heading towards mangrove flats

John R. Bonner Nature Park

John R. Bonner Nature Park
Boardwalk framed by live oaks and saw palmetto

George McGough Nature Park

George McGough Nature Park
Leaning sand pines in scrub

Balm Boyette Nature Preserve

Balm Boyette Nature Preserve
Dock edged by mangroves

Maximo Park

Maximo Park

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