Withlacoochee State Forest: Citrus Tract

The Citrus Tract/Citrus WMA is a part of Withlacoochee State Forest. This site is one of the best locales in Central Florida to see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCWs) as well as Bachman’s Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite. Stop by the Tillis Hill camping area off CR 480/Trail 13 or the visitor center off US 41 for a forest map. From CR 581, drive west on FR 10/Trail 10 to the Citrus Hiking Trail trailhead at the Holder Mine Recreation Area. Look for RCW clusters on both sides of Trail 10 (runs east-west) and Trail 13 (runs north-south). Cavity trees are ringed with white paint. A diversity of songbirds passes through the forest during spring and fall migration and both Swallow-tailed Kites and American Kestrel nest. Also look for butterflies and dragonflies including Dusky Roadside-Skipper, Southern Dogface and Little Blue Dragonlet. Trails 10 and 13 are sandy forest roads that are usually passable for 2WD vehicles. A network of other sand roads criss-cross the forest but may require 4WD. Seasonal hunting takes places in this area please click here for more information or ask at the visitor center.