241.1 miles. With its first segments developed as backpacking loops in Withlacoochee State Forest in the 1970s, the Western Corridor of the Florida Trail is one of two options for circling around the Orlando metro.
Well-established loops in Green Swamp, Richloam, Croom, and Citrus provide excellent weekend getaways for backpackers. The thru-trail connects these with other public lands to reach the Cross Florida Greenway and Ocala National Forest.
The route starts out on a long roadwalk, bike paths, sidewalks, and more backroads, but once you reach the Green Swamp it showcases some of the most beautiful parks and preserves along the Nature Coast.
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Hiking Tips
Dogs are not permitted in either Chinsegut WEA or Perry Oldenburg WEA, so don’t tackle the full section with a dog. However, the high, dry loops at Citrus and Croom are ideal for hiking with your dog on weekend trips.
Brooksville, Dade City, Dunnellon, Inverness, and Silver Springs make great base camps for day hiking portions of the Florida Trail that surround them. You’ll find motels, hotels, and public campgrounds in these communities.
Camping
Free permits are required in advance for camping in both Green Swamp East and Green Swamp West. Contact Southwest Florida Water Management District at 352-796-7211 or reserve online.
Camping access is limited during hunting seasons. In Withlacoochee State Forest (Richloam, Croom, Citrus), camping is only permitted in designated primitive campsites (free) and recreation areas (fee).
The Office of Greenways and Trails requires a free permit for primitive camping along the Cross Florida Greenway. Call 352-236-7143 to obtain one. Florida Trail Association members do not need permits. Carry your membership card with you.
Random camping is allowed in the Ocala National Forest except during fall hunting season. A bear bag or bear canister is required for backpackers in the Ocala National Forest.
The Florida Trail Association has partnered with the US Forest Service and Buck N’ Bass Sports Center in Salt Springs to offer free loaner bear canisters: a 10 liter Backerpackers Cache 812 model. Deposit required. Reserve at 352-685-0200.
Safety
Flooding
Flooding can be a concern along the Withlacoochee River floodplain from Green Swamp East through Croom. At times the river and its tributaries may be high enough to inundate the trail past the point where it is safe to wade it.
Check the river gauges at Richloam and Croom before heading into those areas. Never walk into flowing water.
Hunting
Wear a bright orange shirt or vest during hunting seasons. Check the FWC website for hunting season dates for Green Swamp, Richloam, Croom, Citrus, Ocala National Forest.
The Cross Florida Greenway provides a 39-mile corridor for backpacking the Florida Trail where hunting is not permitted.
It’s an ideal destination for overnight trips during general gun (deer) season in the fall.
During general gun (deer) season, backpackers in the Ocala National Forest must use designated campsites, none of which exist along the Florida Trail in Ocala West. Your only option during hunting season is a commercial campground off SR 40.
Portions of the trail are high and dry with limited water sources. Because of this, logistical planning is crucial when backpacking in Croom, Citrus, and the Cross Florida Greenway.
People
The trail route passes through urban, industrial, and suburban areas for much of the roadwalk connector up to Green Swamp.
Make use of motels in St. Cloud, Kissimmee, and Davenport: stealth camping isn’t safe. Use your street smarts while walking through urban residential areas. Never leave your backpack unattended.
Trail Map
Mileages
Trailheads south to north.
0.0 – Prairie Lakes trailhead (0.1S) ($$)
27.2 – Partin Triangle Park
32.2 – Brinson Park
32.7 – Kissimmee Lakefront Park
35.1 – Oren Brown Park (0.2E)
43.9 – Loughman Park
64.7 – Greenpond Rd trailhead (1.2E)
69.0 – Green Swamp East trailhead
82.4 – Green Swamp West trailhead
88.2 – River Rd trailhead (1.5W)
104.5 – Richloam Firetower (0.7E)
108.6 – Ridge Manor Community Park
111.3 – Cypress Lakes Preserve
112.1 – Ridge Manor trailhead (0.7W)
116.6 – Crooked River trailhead
117.7 – Croom trailhead
129.7 – Perry Oldenberg WEA
131.6 – Prairie to Pines trailhead
152.1 – Holder Mine trailhead (1.0E)
156.8 – Whispering Pines Park
161.8 – Hernando trailhead
168.2 – Citrus Springs trailhead
172.7 – Gulf Junction trailhead
173.9 – Dunnellon (CR 39) trailhead
175.3 – Blue Run Park (0.3W)
176.2 – Bridges Rd trailhead
181.2 – Pruitt trailhead
186.1 – Ross Prairie trailhead (0.8E)
193.0 – SW 49th Ave trailhead (0.2E)
196.3 – Land Bridge trailhead
203.0 – Santos trailhead (0.1W)
207.9 – Baseline Rd trailhead
210.0 – SE 64th Ave trailhead (0.2E)
213.0 – Marshall Swamp trailhead
228.9 – Eaton Creek trailhead (0.1W)
240.3 – 88 Store (0.4E)
241.1 – CR 316 Hunt Check Station (0.1E)
$$ – fee charged for parking.
Trail Segments
Details about all segments of the Florida Trail in this section are in The Florida Trail Guide and app. The hikes below include some of our favorites for this section.
Each is described from the perspective of a day hiker, noting landmarks, water, and campsites along the way. Not all are oriented from south to north, but this is the order they are in northbound.
Side Trails
Trails that interconnect with and sometimes share a portion of the Florida Trail route.
Public Lands
Some of the public lands this section of the Florida Trail crosses.
Connections
Florida Trail sections adjoining the Western Corridor to its north, east, and south.
Articles
Recent articles about the Western Corridor