Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Florida / Central Florida

Florida Trail: Green Swamp West to Richloam

Green Swamp West (Southwest Florida Water Management District) and Richloam Tract, Withlacoochee State Forest (near Dade City and Ridge Manor)

A marshy pond in Green Swamp West
“A marshy pond in Green Swamp West” by mbarrison , CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source · Resized for the web

In Central Florida, the Florida Trail crosses the Green Swamp West tract and the Richloam Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest. The Florida Trail Association says that after leaving Richloam, the trail reaches its westernmost point in this region, less than 20 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Florida Hikes calls the established loops in Green Swamp and Richloam excellent weekend getaways for backpackers. The route passes rolling hills, prairie ponds, and hammocks of big oaks and cabbage palms.

Campsites here need advance registration or reservations, and camping is limited during hunting seasons.

The hike

Florida Hikes describes the Florida Trail from Green Swamp West toward Richloam. The trail slowly climbs into a large open area of rolling hills and prairie ponds, passing the Concession Stand campsite at 1.6 miles. Florida Hikes says it’s a cozy spot to rest or spend the night, with picnic tables, a fire ring, and a pitcher pump.

After crossing Ranch Road, the trail enters an impressive hammock of large oaks and cabbage palms, with large open areas revealing pine-encircled ponds and the sound of distant frogs. At 6.6 miles, a blue-blazed trail leads east to the Foster Bridge campsite, which Florida Hikes describes as a beautiful site on the edge of a wet prairie, with an access trail to the Withlacoochee River for water.

Florida Trail Hikers lists the designated Green Swamp campsites along this part of the trail that must be reserved in advance: Tillman Lake, Mott Prairie, Trial Ford, Gator Hole, Concession Stand, Foster Bridge, and High Bluff. Florida Hikes says free permits are required in advance for camping in both Green Swamp East and Green Swamp West, through the Southwest Florida Water Management District at 352-796-7211 or online.

On Florida Trail Hikers’ mileage list, Tillman Lake sits at Florida Trail mile 329.7, Mott Prairie at 332.1, Trial Ford at 338.5, Gator Hole at 341.9, Concession Stand at 348.0, Foster Bridge at 351.4, and High Bluff at 356.7, which helps when spacing out nights.

North of Green Swamp, the trail enters the Richloam Tract. AllTrails says the tract covers more than 58,000 acres across Hernando, Pasco, Sumter, and Lake Counties. The Florida Trail Association lists Richloam at 30 miles linear, from SR 471 to Ridge Manor, plus a 25.9-mile loop. The Forest Service lists three primitive camping zones in Richloam: East, North, and South. It says primitive camping zones have no fee but require a State Forest Use Permit for groups of six or more, by calling the Withlacoochee Visitor Center at 352-797-4140.

Florida Hikes says camping access is limited during hunting seasons, and that in Withlacoochee State Forest, including Richloam, camping is only permitted in designated primitive campsites and recreation areas. It advises wearing a bright orange shirt or vest in hunting seasons and checking the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s hunting dates for Green Swamp and Richloam.

From Richloam, the Florida Trail Association says the trail continues to the Croom Tract, and Florida Hikes mentions the 3.9-mile Croom River Trail Loop in Ridge Manor as a nearby option. Florida Hikes’ Western Corridor overview describes this whole stretch, from Green Swamp through Richloam, Croom, and Citrus, as well-established loops suited to weekend backpacking.

For the next section north, see the Croom Hiking Trail.

Tips

Camping

In Green Swamp West, camping is at designated campsites that require free advance registration with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. In Richloam, the Forest Service lists Primitive Camp Zones East, North, and South, with no fee and a State Forest Use Permit needed for groups of six or more. Florida Hikes says camping is limited during hunting seasons.

Inside Intel: Florida Hikes highlights two Green Swamp sites. Concession Stand, at 1.6 miles, has picnic tables, a fire ring, and a pitcher pump. Foster Bridge, down a blue-blazed side trail at 6.6 miles, sits on the edge of a wet prairie with a path to the Withlacoochee River for water.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

A wet-prairie night at Foster Bridge:

The Foster Bridge camp sits at the edge of a wet prairie, one of several Green Swamp sites you register for in advance. Side sleepers can find tips on pads, pillows, and picking the best spot within a site.

See the tips →

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.