The Withlacoochee State Forest is bigger than you think
One of the largest state forests in Florida sits on the eastern side of the county, with trails for hikers, cyclists and riders.
The Withlacoochee State Forest covers a large area across Hernando and neighboring counties, making it one of the biggest state forests in Florida. It is managed by the Florida Forest Service and it is divided into separate tracts rather than being one continuous block, which is why people who have visited it several times often have not seen the same part twice.
The tracts are different from each other
The Croom tract is the one most Hernando County residents know, and it is where the off road cycling happens. Croom's mountain bike trails are well established and draw riders from well outside the county, which is not something you expect from terrain in a state best known for being flat. The Brooksville Ridge supplies enough elevation change to make it interesting.
Other tracts lean toward hiking, horseback riding, hunting in season, and quiet. The Florida Trail passes through the forest, so long distance hikers move through here too.
The Withlacoochee State Trail
Separate from the forest roads, the Withlacoochee State Trail is a long paved rail trail running north through the region on a former railroad corridor. It is flat, it is continuous, and it connects small communities including Istachatta and Nobleton. The Good Neighbor Trail links Brooksville to it.
Practical notes
Hunting seasons overlap with recreation in parts of the forest. Check which tract you are entering and what is in season, and wear bright colors during hunting periods even on hiking trails.
Bring water. Cell service is inconsistent once you are away from the highways. Day use areas and campgrounds within the forest are managed by the Florida Forest Service, and some require reservations or a fee.
It is the largest piece of undeveloped land most Hernando County residents live near, and a lot of people who have lived here for years have never walked into it.
Cover photo: DanTD / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0). Source.
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