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Withlacoochee State Forest – Croom Motorcycle Area
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. The Croom Motorcycle Area is among the recreational areas that makes this state forest so popular. Established in 1973 through the efforts of the Florida Trail Riders and the Department of Agriculture, the Croom Motorcycle Area is the only state property in Florida currently dedicated to the needs of off-highway motorcycle and ATV riders. Off highway motorcycle and ATV users will find many miles of trails from easy to challenging, within the area’s 2,600 acres. The terrain ranges from hardwood hammocks and tight scrubs, to numerous pits left from discontinued mining operations.

Withlacoochee State Forest Forest - Croom Motorcycle Area Map

Click here for printer-friendly map and description (PDF 309 kb).
Locator
Major Activities
Motorized/ATV

Trail Length/Surface: length varies; unpaved

Fee: Annual permits are required for each motorcycle and ATV using the Croom Motorcycle Area, and are good for the entire year (July through June). Fees are posted at the entrance gate and are pro-rated throughout the year. Payments can be made at the entrance gate, by cash and travelers check only.

Fees for camping are posted at the Croom Motorcycle Area Campground.

County: Hernando

Nearby Cities: Brooksville

—description continued below—

Notes:

  1. A Croom Motorcycle Area brochure with complete rules should be picked up at the entrance gate. Some of the rules that one should be aware of prior to arriving include the following:
  2. All area users must enter at the entrance located at I-75 and US98/SR50 behind the Holiday Inn.
  3. A permit is required to ride within the motorcycle area. The permit must be displayed on the front of each motorcycle and ATV. Persons operating motorcycles and ATVs without a permit will be subject to expulsion and/or fine.
  4. Permits will be issued for two wheel cycles and 3 and 4 wheel ATVs. ATVs must meet the following requirements:
    a) wheelbase of less than 55 inches
    b) width of less than 45 inches
    c) total vehicle weight less than 500 lbs.
    d) travel on 3 or 4 low pressure tires
    e) has a seat that is designed to be straddled by operator
  5. All motorcycles and ATVs will be required to have mufflers in accordance with the Florida Highway Patrol Handbook.
  6. All riders will wear approved protective headgear designed for motorcycles and ATVs.
  7. Pets are not permitted.
  8. Firearms not permitted.
  9. Alcoholic beverages prohibited.
  10. Motorcycle/ATV operators under age 16 are required to have direct adult supervision.
  11. All non-street legal vehicles are required to be hauled or trailered in and out of the Croom Motorcycle Area.

Access/Directions:

From Brooksville
Head east on US 98/SR 50 approximately 11 miles. The entrance is on the left, just before the I-75 overpass.

From I-75 (40 miles north of downtown Tampa)
Take Exit 61 (new Exit 301) to US98/SR50. Turn west (toward Brooksville). The entrance is on the right – northwest corner of the I-75 and US98/SR50 interchange. Look for the Holiday Inn as a landmark.

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

Florida Trail Riders
386-668-9700