Withlacoochee State Forest – Croom Equestrian Trails
Declared as one of the "10 Coolest Places in North America" by the World Wildlife Fund, the Withlacoochee State Forest has numerous outdoor recreational opportunities available for everyone. Among the recreational amenities that make this state forest so popular are the horse trails in the Hernando County portion of the Croom Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. The horse trails in this area are dry-to-damp, all weather trails that wind through central Florida’s longleaf pine and scrub oak hills, live oak thickets and hardwood hammocks, past creek bottoms and cypress ponds. Of particular interest are the area’s ravines, prairies and abandoned rock mines. Wildlife found in the area include deer, quail, grey squirrels and bobcats.

Locator
Withlacoochee State Forest - Croom Equestrian Trails Map
Click here for printer-friendly map and description (PDF 584 kb).

Major Activities Equestrian

Trail Length/Surface: main unpaved equestrian trail is 18.65 miles; including side and connector trails, the total equestrian trail mileage is 34.22 miles
Fee: Contact the Withlacoochee State Forest Recreation/Visitors Center for details regarding State Forest Use Permits and camping fees.
County: Hernando
Nearby Cities: Brooksville

Notes:
The main horse trail is marked on trees with a single, 6+ inch wide blue band that makes a complete circle around the tree trunk. Connector and side trails are marked in double blue bands. Metal signs showing the international symbol for horse riders supplement blue bands where needed. Horses are allowed only on the designated horse trails and open, designated vehicle roads. Horses must not travel cross-country, on firelines, on hiking or off-road bicycle trails or closed roads.

Be aware that you may encounter hikers on the horse trail or hikers and off-road bikers at trailheads and trail crossings. Communicate to other trail users to let them know if your horse is safe to pass.

Overnight primitive camping is permitted only at designated sites. Primitive horse camping is allowed by Special Use Permit at the Twin Pond Hunt Camp when the area is closed to hunters. Contact the Recreation/Visitors Center for details regarding camping.

Horse, hiking and off-road biking trails are closed on the Croom Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest during the muzzleloading gun and general gun portions of the annual hunting season. Equestrians should were brightly colored clothing when riding during other portions of the hunting season.

For information regarding hunting seasons, and additional rules and tips regarding use of equestrian trails and the Withlacoochee State Forest, contact the Recreation/Visitors Center.

Access/Directions:
The primary trailhead is located on Croom Road/Forest Road 6 adjacent to the Tucker Hill fire tower. From Brooksville, head north on US 41 to Croom Road (CR 480). Take a right and proceed east on Croom Road about two miles until you see the fire tower on your right. Parking for the trailhead is on your left, across from the fire tower.

The secondary trailhead is located at Twin Pond Hunt Camp on Forest Road 7, about a _ mile north of Soult Road/Forest Road 12. When the hunt camp is closed to hunters, riders may park on empty campsites for day use riding. A permit is needed for overnight use.

Contact Information:
Withlacoochee State Forest
Recreation/Visitors Center
15003 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34601-4201
352-754-6896
Withlacoochee State Forest website
Florida Division of Forestry