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Major
Activities
Trail Length/Surface: Yellow Trail is approximately 12 miles;
Blue Trail is approximately 32 miles; Red Trail connects loops.
All trails are unpaved off-road bicycle trails.
Fee: Contact the Withlacoochee State Forest Recreation/Visitors
Center for details regarding any necessary permits or camping fees.
County: Hernando
Nearby Cities: Brooksville
Notes:
Metal, color coded signs showing the international symbol for bicyclists
mark the trails. Supplemental information signs are placed where
needed. Bailout points to exit the trail are maked in green.
The
Croom Tract also contains hiking trails and horse trails. Hikers
may walk on horse or off-road bicycle trails and you may encounter
hikers or equestrians at trailheads and trail crossings. Please
be courteous to hikers and horseback riders. Allow hikers and riders
to pas you on trails designated for them. Step off the trail and
downhill from passing horses. Stand quietly and listen for instructions
from the rider.
Overnight
primitive camping is permitted only within the camp zones designated
by white-banded trees. These are located north of the Tucker Hill
trailhead and north of Croom Road/Forest Road 6 between Forest Road
9 and Nobleton Road.
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 off-road biking trails and the Withlacoochee
State Forest, contact the Recreation/Visitors Center.
Access/Directions:
The primary trailhead (Parking Area #3) is located on Croom Road/Forest
Road 6 adjacent to the Tucker Hill fire tower.
Two
other trailheads (Parking Area #2 and Parking Area #1) are located
further east along Croom Road at the intersection with Forest Road
7 and at the intersection with the Withlacoochee State Trail.
From
I-75 (40 miles north of downtown Tampa)
Take Exit 61 (new Exit 301) to US98/SR50. Turn east (away from Brooksville)
and proceed about one mile until you reach the stop light at Croom
Rital Road. Turn left (north) and proceed about five miles north
on Croom Rital Road, about one mile further than the Withlacoochee
State Forest Silver Lake Recreation Area. You will be at the Withlacoochee
State Trail and trailhead (Parking Area #1) for the Croom Off-Road
Bicycle Trails. A hundred yards or so past this trailhead, keep
left at the “Y” road intersection. You are not on Croom
Road/Forest Road 6. Continue about two more miles to the next trailhead
on the southwest corner of the intersection with Forest Road 7 (Parking
Area #2). The final trailhead (Parking Area #3) is located east
of the Tucker Hill Fire Tower, less than three miles further along
Croom Road.
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. The trailhead (Parking #3) is on your left, across
from the fire tower. Continue down Croom Road to Forest Road 7.
Turn right for the second trailhead (Parking #2) or continue on
Croom Road to the remaining trailhead (Parking #1).
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
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