Croom Tract Recreation at Withlacoochee State Forest
CROOM Tract
The Croom Tract has more than 20,000 acres of cypress and longleaf pine forests and includes 13 winding miles of the Withlacoochee River, which reaches its
widest expanse and forms Silver Lake, a prime recreation spot.
Recreation Areas on the Croom Tract:
Other:
Croom Motorcycle Area (CMA)
PHOTO: Riding on the Croom OHV area.
Croom T-shirts Available! Croom Motorcycle Area T-shirts, featuring Travis Pastrana, are currently on sale for $16.00 each. For more information please call the gatehouse.
Now Open! The Amphitheater at Buttgenbach Mine Campground offers weekend programs and "Gaming Under the Stars". Information available at the gatehouse.
OHV Riders will find miles of trails within the 2,600 acre Croom Motorcycle Area (CMA) of the Croom Tract. There are two Day Use Areas as well as a campground.
Daily fee for pavilion (by reservation).
Helmets are required for all riders. Daylight riding only. Currently, ROVs are not permitted at CMA.
Please note: This is the official website for the Croom Motorcycle Area. Other sites referring to CMA may provide inaccurate or outdated information to park users.
If in doubt please call the main Recreation Visitor Center at (352) 754-6896 or the CMA gatehouse at (352) 797-5759.
What You Need To Know Before Your Visit to CMA...
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Croom Motorcycle Area and Buttgenbach Mine Campground are open seven days a week.
Equipment storage is available at the Powersports shop located just outside the main gate (this is a separate operation from CMA).
The Croom Motorcycle Area Gatehouse is located behind the Quality Inn Hotel at Exit 301 off of Interstate 75. The gatehouse is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Telephone: (352) 797-5759.
Croom Motorcycle Area
Sand Hill and Hammock Day Use Areas
Features
- Pavilion (reservation required)
- No pets allowed
- OHM and ATV Trail system
Croom Motorcycle Area Buttgenbach Mine Campground
Croom Motorcycle Area campers may ride from the campground into the surrounding off-road riding area. Buttgenbach Campgrounds are open seven days a week.
Features
- No pets allowed
- OHM and ATV Trail system
- Amphitheater: The 'Redline Theater' offers a variety of weekend programs, as well as "Gaming Under the Stars" featuring gaming consoles hooked up to the big screen.
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Facilities
- 50 campsites with electricity, water, picnic table and fire ring
- Restrooms and showers (2)
- Dump station
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Hog Island Recreation Area
Located on the east bank of the Withlacoochee River near the community of Nobleton and includes the Hog Island Nature Trail, part of the
Trailwalker Program, is officially certified as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail.
The campground has beautiful shaded campsites which are screened from each other with natural understory vegetation and access to the Withlacoochee River.
Features
- Picnic area
- Fishing
- Canoe and boat launch
- No pets allowed
- Nature Trail* is a 2 mile loop
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- Hiking Trails:
- River Trail*/ Sumter is 7.2 miles
- Equestrian Trails:
- Hernando Main Loop is 18.65 miles
- Hernando is 36.35 miles
- Sumter is 7.70 miles
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Facilities
- 20 non-electric campsites with water, picnic table and fire ring
- Restrooms and showers
- Dump station
- Campsite with water is available near the river for campers arriving by canoe
- Youth Group Area (reservations required, call 352/ 754-6896)
NOTE
: ALL horses must have proof of current negative coggins test results when on state lands. All children under the age of 16
are required to wear a protective helmet while riding on state lands
From I-75, take Exit 309 to CR 476. Head west to the intersection with CR 635. Follow south to Hog Island Recreation Area.
Iron Bridge Day Use Area
PHOTO: Canoe launch at Iron Bridge Day Area
The hiking trail provides a good turn-around point for less experienced hikers that start their hike from either Hog Island or River Junction.
Features
- Picnic area
- Hiking
- Canoe launch
- Canoe Trail
- Parking
- No pets allowed
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River Junction Recreation Area
PHOTO: View at river Junction
Campground is located at the junction of the Little Withlacoochee River and the Withlacoochee River at the southern end of Silver Lake.
This recreation area provides many opportunities for canoe and fishing enthusiasts.
Features
- Boat and canoe launch
- Nature trail
- Fishing
- Picnicking
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Facilities
- 20 non-electric campsites with water, picnic table and fire ring
- Restrooms and showers
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Silver Lake Recreation Area Complex
The Silver Lake Recreation Complex is approximately 6 miles down river from Hog Island Recreation Area and 10 miles from the Nobleton boat ramp/canoe launch
sites at the County Road 476 river bridge and the community park located on the north side of CR 476 at the northern terminus of Edgewater Avenue.
CampGrounds
Silver Lake Recreation Area Complex
Day Use Areas
Features
- Pavilion
- Nature trail and boardwalk
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Leashed pets allowed
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- Canoe and boat launch
- Canoe trail
- Hiking Trails:
Croom Hiking Trails
River Trail/ Hernando is 5.2 miles
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Silver Lake Recreation Area Complex
Silver Lake Campground
Campsites spread out under the open shade of large oak trees. Located on the northern end of Silver Lake on a gently sloping grassy area, most sites have
a view of the water. Boat ramp located in campground. The Silver Lake Campground is open seven days a week.
PHOTO: Campsite at Silver Lake.
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Features
- Canoe and small boat launch
- Nature trail and boardwalk
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Canoe Trail
- Leashed pets allowed
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Facilities
- 23 campsites with electricity, water, picnic table and fire ring
- Restrooms and showers
- Dump Station in campground
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Take I-75 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 and proceed north on Croom Rital Road. Follow signs to the Withlacoochee State Forest Silver Lake Recreation Area.
Turn right onto Silver Lake Road and follow to Day Use Area and boat ramp.
Silver Lake Recreation Area Complex
Cypress Glen Campground
PHOTO: Boardwalk at Cypress Glen.
Campsites sit high above Silver Lake under the shade of oak and pine trees.
Features
- Canoe/kayak launch
- Nature trail and boardwalk
- Fishing
- Canoe Trail
- Leashed pets allowed
Facilities
- 34 campsites with electricity, water, picnic table and fire ring
- Restrooms and showers
Silver Lake Recreation Area Complex
Crooked River Campground
Old Florida style camping at its best. Sites surrounded by dense understory for more privacy. A staircase provides access to the Withlacoochee River.
Features
- Canoe/kayak launch
- Nature trail and boardwalk
- Fishing
- Canoe Trail
- No pets allowed
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Facilities
- 26 non-electric campsites (Tent camping only) with picnic table and fire ring
- Restrooms and showers
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Tucker Hill Day Use Area
Located on the Hernando County side of the Croom Tract on Croom Road.
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Features
- Day use fee
- Picnic area
- Restrooms
- Leashed pets allowed
- Trailheads for bicycle, equestrian, and hiking trails
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Hiking Trails
- A Loop* is 7.39 miles
- B Loop is 8.97 miles
- C Loop is 8.09 miles
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Equestrian Trails
- Hernando Main Loop is 18.65
- Hernando Total is 36.35 miles
- Sumter Total is 7.70 miles
- Croom Horse Trails (DEP)
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NOTE
: ALL horses must have proof of current negative coggins test results when on state lands. ALL children under the age of 16
are required to wear a protective helmet while riding on state lands
From Brooksville, head north on US 41 to Croom Road (CR 480). Take a right and proceed east on Croom Road.
More Croom
Off-Road Bicycle Trails
- Yellow Trail is 12 miles.
- Blue Trail is 32 miles.
- Ridge Manor trailhead for River Trail (Hernando) is 5.2 miles
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Croom Links
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Contact Us
- Florida Forest Service
Withlacoochee State Forest
Recreation/Visitors Center
15003 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
- Telephone 352/ 754-6896
- Email Withlacoochee State Forest
Visitors Center Hours:
Monday - Friday, except holidays:
8:00 am - noon & 1:30- 4:30 pm
Hours may change without notice. Please call ahead if you plan to stop by.
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