The Florida Forest Service offers camping discounts for individuals age 65 and older, active-duty military or honorably discharged veterans, and for individuals 100% disabled at applicable camping facilities on Florida's State Forests. If you qualify for any of these discounts, please call the Reserve America Call Center at (877) 879-3859 and provide the appropriate document number (e.g., driver's license number; military ID number) to have the documentation added and your profile updated. Once this is complete, your discount will automatically apply upon checkout. The Florida Forest Service reserves the right to verify documentation provided to Reserve America.
Important Notice:
Drought conditions continue to worsen, and numerous Florida counties have implemented burn bans. State Forest campgrounds within counties under a burn ban are subject to the same restrictions, which may affect your camping experience. Please check the Burn Ban Public Dashboard and plan accordingly before making a reservation.
Krul Campground Info: Day Passes are not valid for entry at Krul Campground. Reservations are required for entry and are available 2 days in advance here. Annual passholders also require a reservation, but will be admitted for free.
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Important Notice: Drought conditions continue to worsen, and numerous Florida counties have implemented burn bans. State Forest campgrounds within counties under a burn ban are subject to the same restrictions, which may affect your camping experience. Please check the Burn Ban Public Dashboard and plan accordingly before making a reservation.
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Hog Island Youth Group Camp, FL

Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
Average Rating: 4.6
14 Ratings
Hog Island Youth Group Camp is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Sumter County), and is approximately 15 miles from Brooksville. Situated near the bank of the Withlacoochee River, this youth group tent camp is a peaceful, paddling paradise. Other recreational ...
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FACILITY OFFERING:

Camping
Description
Hog Island Youth Group Camp is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Sumter County), and is approximately 15 miles from Brooksville. Situated near the bank of the Withlacoochee River, this youth group tent camp is a peaceful, paddling paradise. Other recreational activities include: fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking.
Geography:

The Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, and Jumper Creek have all been designated as Outstanding Florida Waters, and each meanders through this forest which spans across 5 counties and exceeds 165,000 acres. Withlacoochee is a Native American word meaning "crooked river". This accurately describes the Withlacoochee River as it makes its 70-mile journey from the Green Swamp, in northern Polk County, to the Gulf of Mexico at Yankeetown. Complementing the natural water features are the open pine sand hills, dense woodlands, and canopied roads and trails. Tree species found on the forest include slash pine, longleaf pine, pond and bald cypress, maple, southern magnolia, hickory, and various species of oak. There is also an abundance of colorful wildflowers during the Autumn, including goldenrod, thistle, and blazing star. These natural features create excellent habitat for bald eagles, fox squirrels, gopher tortoise, white-tail deer, and turkeys, to name a few. For additional information about Withlacoochee State Forest, please Click Here.

Recreation:

In 1999, the Withlacoochee State Forest was ranked #1 on the World Wildlife Funds "10 Coolest Places You've Never Seen in North America". Facilities include many miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and paddling. Seasonal hunting is available in most of the forest, and fish are plentiful in the many lakes and flowing waterways. Full-facility, primitive, and group camping are available at numerous locations. Many day-use facilities are available on Withlacoochee State Forest for picnicking and wildlife viewing. And, the Croom Motorcycle Area provides a developed campground and 2,600 acres of off-road trails for motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle (ATVs) enthusiasts. For additional information about Withlacoochee State Forest, please Click Here.

Facilities:

This area is for organized youth groups (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Church Groups, etc.) only.
Youth Group Area is water only/non-electric tent camping with access to bathhouse.
Area can accommodate two groups of 25 or less or up to 50 in one group without adding portalets.
Area has two large fire rings and picnic tables.
Access to river for fishing, canoeing or kayaking.

Nearby Attractions:

Attractions Major theme parks located (within 1- 1.5 hour drive time)
Professional & college sports team stadiums (within 1- 1.5 hour drive)
Art Galleries
Bushnell Motorsports Park
Dade City Wild Things Zoo
Florida Bass Conservation Center (Webster-south of SR 50)
Lowery Park Zoo (Tampa)
Museum of Drag Racing (Ocala)
Nature Coast Botanical Gardens (Spring Hill)
Pioneer Florida Museum (Dade City)
Tree Top Adventures/Zip Line (several within 1- 2 hour drive time)
Webster Farmer's Market
Wineries (Clermont, Land o Lakes, Spring Hill, Tarpon Springs, Mt Dora, Eustis, OxfordOrlando) Oxford, Orlando)

County/State/National Parks, Preserves and Refuges Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Chinsegut Conservation Center
Dade Battlefield State Park
Good Neighbor Trail
Florida National Cemetery
Van Fleet State Trail
Weeki Wachee Springs/Buccaneer Bay
Withlacoochee State Trail

Services & Amenities:

Within Park
  • Fire Rings
  • Hiking
  • Picnic Tables
  • Restrooms
Within 10 Miles
  • Camping, Primitive
Alerts and Important Information
Some forest activities require special use permit from Withlacoochee State Forest by contacting the visitor center at (352)797-4140.

Please contact WSF Dispatch at 352-797-4100 before you begin each day of your outing to verify if prescribed burning will be taking place that day.
No hunting allowed in campgrounds. Please refer to kiosk or MYFWC.com for specific hunting seasons and dates if planning on using any trails.
It is recommended that visitors wear 500 square inches of Blaze Orange while hiking in the area during hunting seasons.
Per Florida Administrative Code, 5I-4006(4)(k), Chainsaw use in camping facilities is prohibited. Operation/use of chainsaws in other areas of the forest requires a Fuel Wood Permit.
Firewood may be available on-site within the campground for a donation to the Friends of the Florida Sate Forests. Donations are used to make improvements to campgrounds and recreation areas.
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Hog Island Youth Group Camp
15003 Broad Street
Brooksville  FL  34601-4201
Phone Number:
Information:  (352) 797-4140