Withlacoochee State Forest--Citrus Section (Middle of Nowhere!)

Terrain: Hilly and dry year round.  There are many miles of single-track bicycling trails.  Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission prior to visiting because this area is open to hunting and the trails are closed during general gun season.  Maps and information on hunting in Croom and the rest of the Withlacoochee Forest system can be obtained from the Forestry Center in Brooksville at 352-754-2896.

To Get There: Take SR 50 West passing the intersection with SR 301.  Two miles beyond the intersection turn right at the traffic light onto Croom-Rital Rd.  Follow this North and park near the fire tower at the northern edge of the forest.  Look for a trail on the left marked with pink tape.

This area of dry upland scrub, rolling hills, and well developed pine forests contains 70 miles of trails that are currently being opened up for cyclists.  The trail is not well marked at this point but the SWAMP (South Western Association of Mountain Peddlers) mountain bike club in Tampa is working on mapping and blazing what is undoubtedly one of Florida's best mountain biking trail networks, or so my informants tell me.  (I have not ridden here.)

Do not ride on the Florida Trail which is marked by orange blazes.  The Florida Trail is for hikers only.  Please visit www.florida-trail.org for comprehensive information.