Withlacoochee State Forest

Withlacoochee State Forest is the 3rd largest state forest in Florida and is operated by the Florida Forest Service, which is in charge of the forests uses.  It is located in west central Florida and its headquarters are 7 miles north of Brooksville and 50 miles north of Tampa, Florida.  It has the honor of being named one of the "10 Coolest Places Youve Never Been In North America" by the World Wildlife Fund and is the place to be for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Visiting this place will definitely be worth your while! Activities for everyone at Withlacoochee State forest include hiking, biking, horseback riding, and canoeing.  If you enjoy hunting and fishing, there are seasonal times available throughout the forest.  If you enjoy off-road riding, there are 2,600 acres of off-road terrain for motorcycles and ATVs. 

There is a diverse variety of trees throughout the park that create canopy and shaded trails, such as longleaf pine and and oak trees.  In the spring, flowers such as goldenrods and blazing star can be seen around the park.  Endangered, threatened, and special concern animals are abundant throughout the park, such as the bald Eagle and gopher tortoise.  There are other animals as well, like wild turkeys, rabbits, and deer. 

If you go to the website below, you can find more information about the Withlacoochee State Forest, such as their telephone number, hours of operation, and rules and regulations.  There are also programs specific for activities offered throughout the forest.

According to the Florida State Forests Historical Timeline, a link provided below, the forest came about through the United States Department of Agriculture with a 25 year lease in 1958.  The title was given to the state of Florida in 1983.