Croom Tract Primitive Camp Zone East

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Campers should contact Withlacoochee State Forest Dispatch at (352) 797-4100 before each outing to verify if prescribed burning will be taking place. The campground closes if Hernando County is placed under a tropical storm or hurricane warning.

About

Located on the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest approximately 9 miles northeast of Brooksville, Croom Tract Primitive Camp Zone East is a hike-in, hike-out primitive camping area. The camp zone is delineated by yellow colored bands on trees and sits roughly half a mile from the Tucker Hill Trailhead parking area along the Croom Hiking Trails. This is a true backcountry experience with no water or amenities provided, though some dispersed sites within the zone may have a fire ring or picnic table. Campers must pack in all water and supplies, though water caching prior to arrival is permitted. Only cooking fires are allowed. The area provides excellent opportunities for hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, star gazing, wildflower viewing, and nature study. Withlacoochee State Forest spans over 165,000 acres across five counties and features the Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, and Jumper Creek, all designated as Outstanding Florida Waters. The forest includes open pine sand hills, dense woodlands, and diverse tree species including slash pine, longleaf pine, cypress, maple, magnolia, hickory, and oak. Wildlife includes bald eagles, fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer, and turkeys. This is a Wildlife Management Area, and visitors are recommended to wear 500 square inches of blaze orange during hunting seasons.

Directions

Via I-75: Take Exit 301 and head east on SR-50/US Hwy 98 S. Continue to the third traffic light and turn left (north) on Croom-Rital Road. Continue approximately 8.5 miles to the Tucker Hill Trailhead. Via Suncoast Parkway: Take TR-589 north to Interchange 46-SR-50. Bear right (east) onto SR-50 and continue through Brooksville following the SR 50 Truck Route. From SR-50 in Brooksville, take US-41 (Broad Street) north to C-480 (Croom Road). Turn right and continue east on C-480 to Tucker Hill (Fire Tower) Trailhead approximately 5 miles.

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