Croom Tract Primitive Camp Zone West

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Campgrounds close if Hernando County is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning. Wearing 500 square inches of blaze orange is recommended during hunting seasons.

About

Croom Tract Primitive Camp Zone West offers a true backcountry experience in Withlacoochee State Forest, located approximately 9 miles northeast of Brooksville, Florida. This dispersed camping area is accessible only by hiking in along the Croom Hiking Trails, with the camp zone beginning roughly 5.25 miles from the trailhead. The area is marked by yellow colored bands on the trees and offers no developed amenities, though some sites may feature fire rings and benches. Campers must be completely self-sufficient, as there is no water available on-site, though water may be cached prior to arrival. The area lies within a Wildlife Management Area, so wearing 500 square inches of blaze orange is recommended during hunting seasons. The surrounding forest features diverse habitats including open pine sand hills, dense woodlands, and waterways designated as Outstanding Florida Waters, providing excellent opportunities for hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, and stargazing. The Withlacoochee State Forest spans over 165,000 acres across five counties and was ranked number one on the World Wildlife Fund's "10 Coolest Places You've Never Seen in North America" in 1999. The forest is home to bald eagles, fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, white-tail deer, and wild turkeys.

Directions

From I-75, take Exit 301 and head east on SR-50/US Hwy 98 S. At the third traffic light, turn left (north) onto Croom-Rital Road and continue approximately 8.5 miles to the Tucker Hill Trailhead.

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