Croom Hiking Trail (Withlacoochee State Forest)

Croom Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida Forest Service (near Brooksville)

The Croom Hiking Trail winds through the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest near Brooksville, a stack of three loops through hardwood and floodplain forests along the Withlacoochee River. The Florida Trail Association calls it a gem along the Florida Trail. AllTrails says its North Loop is unusual for Florida hiking because of how much elevation it gains, and it’s well loved, with more than 700 reviews.

Primitive camp zones along the loops make for easy overnights, but there’s no water at them.

The hike

The Florida Trail Association says the Croom Hiking Trail is anchored by developed campsites at either end and winds through hardwood and floodplain forests along the Withlacoochee River. It says backpackers and day hikers can reach the Croom loops, A, B, and C, from the Silver Lake Trailhead or from the Withlacoochee State Trail off Croom-Rital Road.

Florida Hikes describes the route. Large swaths of reindeer moss carpet the forest floor before the trail turns swampier, passing a pond lined with cypress and sweetgum. After crossing Croom Road, pines and saw palmetto appear. A short yellow-blazed trail leads 0.2 mile to the B Loop Camping Zone, which Florida Hikes describes as an inviting camping area with a picnic table and fire ring under a shady cluster of oaks. Farther on, longleaf pines, sand live oaks, and turkey oaks dot a low cover of wiregrass, ironweed, sages, and blazing stars, and the trail wraps around a small, open prairie pond before heading west across the forest.

AllTrails rates the 7.8-mile North Loop moderate, with about 406 feet of gain. It says the trail is mostly shaded, through forest, with many opportunities to see wildlife and wildflowers, and that reviewers recommend bug spray in the warm months.

The Forest Service lists the developed campgrounds in the Croom Tract, including Hog Island and Silver Lake. Florida Hikes advises backpackers to leave cars overnight at the Tucker Hill Recreation Area, or at Silver Lake after checking with the camp host.

The Florida Trail Association notes that after the Croom Hiking Trail, the Florida Trail follows the Withlacoochee State Trail, a rail trail, as its temporary route north. Wikipedia says the Croom Wildlife Management Area covers about 20,000 acres.

The primitive camp zones are basic. ReserveAmerica describes the Croom Tract Primitive Camp Zone East as a hike-in, hike-out site along the Croom Hiking Trails, about 9 miles northeast of Brooksville, with no water or amenities, though some areas may have fire rings. It notes the tract is a Wildlife Management Area. The Forest Service says primitive camping zones have no fee but require a State Forest Use Permit for groups of six or more.

Florida Trail Hikers lists the Croom Tract’s camping areas along the Florida Trail, including the Crooked River and Silver Lake campgrounds and the A and B Loop camping zones, which it notes have no water. It says camping in the Croom Tract is only permitted in designated campsites.

ReserveAmerica adds that in 1999, the World Wildlife Fund ranked Withlacoochee State Forest first on its list of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Seen in North America.”

For a longer, more rugged loop nearby, see the Citrus Hiking Trail.

Tips

Reserve your campsite. Florida Hikes and ReserveAmerica describe reservable primitive camp zones.
Carry all your water. The primitive camp zones have none.
Park at Tucker Hill or Silver Lake. Florida Hikes recommends these for overnight trips.
Bring bug spray in warm months. AllTrails reviewers recommend it.
Check hunting seasons. The Croom Tract is a Wildlife Management Area.

Camping

Camping in the Croom Tract is only in designated campsites, per Florida Trail Hikers. The A and B Loop camping zones are primitive, hike-in sites with no water, reservable through the Florida State Forests system. The Forest Service says primitive zones have no fee but groups of six or more need a State Forest Use Permit (call 352-797-4140). Developed campgrounds at Silver Lake and Hog Island are base-camp options.

Inside Intel: Florida Hikes points to the B Loop Camping Zone, 0.2 mile down a yellow-blazed side trail, with a picnic table and fire ring under a shady cluster of oaks. Since there’s no water at the zones, plan to carry it from your car or a developed campground.

Trail facts

Distance: About 7.8 miles for the North Loop; longer with the other stacked loops
Route type: Stacked loops (A, B, C)
Difficulty: Moderate. About 406 feet of gain on the North Loop (AllTrails).
Campsites: A and B Loop camping zones (primitive, no water); Silver Lake and Hog Island campgrounds
Water: None at the primitive zones. Carry water.
Permits: Reservation for camp zones; State Forest Use Permit for groups of six or more
Hunting: Wildlife Management Area; check seasons
Trailheads: Silver Lake Trailhead; Tucker Hill Recreation Area; Withlacoochee State Trail at Croom-Rital Road
Last verified: October 2, 2026

The Lowdown

Under the oaks at the B Loop camp:

A shady primitive campsite on the Croom loops is a good place for a comfortable pad. See which sleeping pads testers recommend.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.