Withlacoochee State Forest
Withlacoochee is a Native American word meaning “crooked river,” a fitting description of the Withlacoochee River’s winding path through 13 miles of the forest. The area is rich in wildlife, with several species listed as endangered or threatened. Visitors may spot Bald Eagles, Fox Squirrels, Gopher Tortoises, White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkeys and rabbits. The forest features dense woodlands and canopy trails with a variety of tree species, such longleaf pine, pond cypress, bald cypress, oak, maple, southern magnolia, gum and hickory. In spring, the landscape comes alive with vibrant wildflowers like goldenrod, thistle and blazing star, which line the state forest roads.
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Sites At This Location
Citrus Tract (B)
The Citrus Tract/Citrus WMA is a designated Important Bird Area that showcases another part of the vast Withlacoochee State Forest's great wildlife viewing opportunities. This site is also one of the best locales in Florida to see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCWs). High-quality sandhills shelter several additional target species including Bachman's Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Osceola Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite. Hardwood hammocks and scrub habitats are also present.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Citrus Tract (C)
The Citrus Tract/Citrus WMA is a designated Important Bird Area that showcases another part of the vast Withlacoochee State Forest's great wildlife viewing opportunities. This site is also one of the best locales in Florida to see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCWs). High-quality sandhills shelter several additional target species including Bachman's Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Osceola Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite. Hardwood hammocks and scrub habitats are also present.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Citrus Tract (D)
The Citrus Tract/Citrus WMA is a designated Important Bird Area that showcases another part of the vast Withlacoochee State Forest's great wildlife viewing opportunities. This site is also one of the best locales in Florida to see Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (RCWs). High-quality sandhills shelter several additional target species including Bachman's Sparrow, Red-headed Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Osceola Wild Turkey and Northern Bobwhite. Hardwood hammocks and scrub habitats are also present.
Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Two Mile Prairie Tract, Johnson Pond Trail
Sandhills, scrub, hardwood hammocks and open, wet prairie comprise the Two-Mile Prairie Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, an Important Bird Area. The multi-use, Johnson Pond Trail will take you past its namesake pond, where an observation deck provides views of Anhinga, Green Heron, Little Blue Heron, Wood Duck and Blue-winged Teal. Sandhill Crane, Wilson’s Snipe and Purple Gallinule are sometimes observed here as well. In migration, watch for Ovenbird, plus Blackburnian, Chestnut-sided and Blackpoll Warblers (among others), Swainson’s Thrush and five species of vireos. The uplands are home to Red-headed Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker and Common Ground-Dove all year. This trail is part of the Florida Forest Service’s Trailwalker Hiking Program. Call for information about this program, additional hiking trails and for primitive camping opportunities on the Two Mile Prairie Tract.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service
Operational Hours: Open all year, dawn to dusk.
Size: 577 acres
McKethan Lake
The McKethan Lake Day Use Area lies a little ways north of the Withlacoochee State Forest’s visitor center, where you can pick up a map and other information about the 157,479-acre forest. The entrance road circles this site’s park-like margins, which are shaded by large live oaks. A nature trail leaves from the entrance pay station and crosses the road several times as it winds through the scenic hardwood hammock surrounding this site. The lake has Mottled Duck, Anhinga, Tricolored Heron, Snowy Egret, White and Glossy Ibises and the occasional Wood Stork. Greater Yellowlegs and Wilson’s Snipe have been recorded here as well. Migrant wood-warblers like Black-throated Blue and Chestnut-sided refuel in the forest during spring and summer. Other species that may turn up here include Purple Martin, Chimney Swift, Sedge Wren, Swamp Sparrow and Summer Tanager. Dragonfly watchers have spotted Common Green Darner, Regal Darner and Little Blue Dragonlet at this location.
Site Information
Admission Fee Required for Entry
Operational Hours: Open all year, dawn to dusk.
Size: 32 acres
Homosassa Tract, Rooks Trail
Covering parts of four counties, the 157,479-acre Withlacoochee State Forest is Florida’s third largest state forest. The Rooks Trail is a 3 mile loop which runs past several ponds and through improved pasture, hardwood swamp and a sandhill forest. This trail is excellent for a casual hike, and is well-marked and well-maintained. You’re likely to encounter Wild Turkeys, Eastern Meadowlarks and Northern Bobwhites, as well as Gopher Tortoises. Spring and fall bring a diversity of migratory songbirds like Blue-headed Vireos and Blue Grosbeaks. Be alert for Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks and Swallow-tailed Kites. Sightings of the elusive Florida Black Bear are occasionally reported as well.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Operational Hours: Open sunrise to sunset.
Size: 188 acres
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.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
View Seasonal Hunting Information
Managing Agency
FL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Operational Hours: Open dawn to dusk.
Size: 52,811 acres
Entrances
Citrus Tract (A)
Address: FR/Trail 10 and 13, Inverness, FL 34452
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Citrus Tract (B)
Address: FR/Trail 10 and 13, Inverness, FL 34452
Citrus Tract (C)
Address: FR/Trail 10 and 13, Inverness, FL 34452
Citrus Tract (D)
Address: FR/Trail 10 and 13, Inverness, FL 34452
