Hiking, Biking, Trail Running, Horseback Riding, Geocaching, Kayaking and Canoeing - Croom Tract has it all. It’s no wonder the Withlacoochee State Forest was named one of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Been” by the World Wildlife Fund.
For hikers, Croom offers a 15 mile loop with several cross connecting trails breaking it down into smaller sections. This loop trail is perfect for a day hike or a weekend excursion. In addition, the western linear corridor of the Florida Trail passes through this area via the Withlacoochee State Trail, so long distance hikers also get to experience Croom as well.
Since I live in the area, the bulk of my hiking and running takes place here. The best place to park and hike or bike is at the Tucker Hill Trailhead. The parking lot is situated next to the Division of Forestry Fire Tower, so it’s hard to miss.
From the trailhead I went down the north side of the loop trail. This side starts out with Oak and Cedar trees nestled around an old spring. Take a look off to the left when you pass the trail sign-in log and you’ll see it. It’s more of a sinkhole, but at one time it was maintained and there are remnants of old log bridges over some sections. It’s a great place to explore. I’ve been here a lot of times and only recently did I discover this, right here at the trailhead.
If you are a runner looking for a great place for hill work, this is the best location around. In the first two miles there are several large hills that are perfectly spaced out, giving you a chance to recover somewhat before you conquer the next one.
Wildlife count: 1 Raccoon, 19 deer (that’s right!), 1 rabbit, and about a thousand ’skeeters. Do yourself a favor and put on some bug spray if you are hiking. They aren’t bad further down the trail, but near the trailhead they are awful right now.
I’ve got some pictures posted in the gallery, but since it was getting dark they came out sort of crappy. I’ll have better ones to post in the near future.
Related posts:
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
There’s always a crowd dockside at MacRae’s, making it a great place to people watch and take photos. Sure, it’s a hotel, and there’s a tiki bar on the dock called “The Shed”, but it’s more than just that. It’s your classic river hangout. Boats are always being launched, fisherman are busy cleaning fish, others [...]
First things first, I haven’t kayaked the Chassahowitzka River. Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? I think so, too. The Chassahowitzka River is one of the nicest spring-fed rivers in Florida, and it’s close to home, but I’ve never gotten the chance to paddle here. I’ll have to remedy that soon.
Let me take a moment to side-step to [...]
To me, an early morning kayak trip near Hog Island always feels otherworldly. The corridor is narrow, laden with thick fog that silhouettes the massive cypresses along the edge. The rhythmic sound of a paddle gently entering and exiting the water coupled by the call of birds overhead are the only sounds you’ll [...]
Since I live just a few miles from the Hog Island Campground, and since I get a lot of traffic from people looking for information about this area, here’s a simple little video for you. Hope it gives you an idea of what’s here. It’s one of the best places in the Withlacoochee State Forest [...]
Ever been to Kelly Park in Apopka? Go ahead and call in sick to work, dress in a manner in which you won’t be easily recognized by coworkers, and go hang out at Rock Springs. Why? Because, well, Rock Springs rocks.
The 355-acre property was donated to be used as a park and a wildlife preserve [...]
Situated on the site of an old rock mine, Tenoroc Fish Management Area offers visitors a lot of activities. Horseback riding, hiking, and fishing are very popular at Teneroc. The ridges along deep craters left over from years of phosphate mining offer hikers an elevated view of the 7,300 acre property, giving an almost Appalachian [...]