Important Notice:
The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.
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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Attention: : In addition to the $20.00 Pavilion Rental, upon arrival ALL VISITORS are required to pay a $2.00 per person day use fee as you enter the facility in the yellow Iron Ranger Honor Pay Station. McKethan Lake is a Bird Sanctuary. NO PETS and NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED. The hours of operation are sunrise to 30 minutes prior to sunset 365 days per year. Closure times are adjusted throughout the year and are posted at the main entrance.
Important Notice: The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.

McKethan Pavilion Withlacoochee State Forest, FL

Average Rating: 5.0
Average Rating: 5.0
Average Rating: 5.0
Average Rating: 5.0
Average Rating: 5.0
20 Ratings
15185 BROAD ST, BROOKSVILLE, FL. 34601 The McKethan Lake Pavilions are in Hernando County just north of the Withlacoochee Visitor Center on Broad Street/US-41 north of Brooksville south of Floral City. It is part of the Withlacoochee State Forest Headquarters Tract. It provides ...
Status: Open year round.   Season Dates
Max Reservation Window:   View all
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Book a Campsite at McKethan Pavilion Withlacoochee State Forest, FL

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McKethan Pavilion Withlacoochee State Forest
Pavilion
50 Accessible
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
McKethan Pavilion Withlacoochee State Forest
Pavilion
40
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
McKethan Pavilion Withlacoochee State Forest
Pavilion
50
Electric Hookup - no Full Hookup - no
Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
Campsite Search Results: 1-3 of 3 Previous | Next
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
Overview

Description

15185 BROAD ST, BROOKSVILLE, FL. 34601 The McKethan Lake Pavilions are in Hernando County just north of the Withlacoochee Visitor Center on Broad Street/US-41 north of Brooksville south of Floral City. It is part of the Withlacoochee State Forest Headquarters Tract. It provides a place for individuals or groups to meet to enjoy the outdoors in a peaceful setting. It is home to various species of wildlife and is considered a bird sanctuary. Facilities include a dirt boat ramp for canoes, kayaks or other non-motorized vessels, three picnic pavilions with grills, restrooms, a two-mile nature trail and two mile paved loop enjoyed by hikers and bikers. Open for day use only, this is an ideal place for weddings, special events and other gatherings or to spend the day bird watching, grilling, picnicking, enjoying nature, hiking, fishing, etc.

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.

Facilities:

General Information
1.Facility open from 8:00 a.m. to 30 minutes before Sundown. This time varies with EDT.
2.Entrance fee applies for all visitors.
3.There are sidewalks from Pavilion A to the restrooms.
4.Facility has a playground area for children.
5.No pets are allowed.
6.No Consumption or Possession of Alcohol Permitted.
7.Everything taken in must be taken out; trash must be removed from trash receptacles at pavilions and placed in nearby Trash House.
8.Facility shall be left neat, clean and ready for next activity/user.
9.Safety around the lake shall be observed at all times.
10.Warning alligators, snakes and other wildlife are part of the Natural Habitat.
11.Do not feed or molest wildlife, including alligators, per Florida Statute 379.412 and Florida Administrative Code 68A-25.001.
12.All users shall comply with rules outlined in the Florida Administrative Code Chapter 5I-4.

Booking Window
Thu Oct 31 2024 - Tue Sep 30 2025

Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.

Season Dates

Season Schedule

Park Season
Start
End
Peak
Tue Oct 01 2024
Wed Apr 30 2025
Non Peak
Thu May 01 2025
Tue Sep 30 2025
Peak
Wed Oct 01 2025
Thu Apr 30 2026
Services and Amenities
Within Park
  • Bird Watching
  • Group Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Park Lake
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Pavilion
  • Picnic Tables
Fees and Cancellation Policies
Special Policy Applicable to this Facility
Cancellations:

  • Cancellations can be made on the website and through the call center.
  • 1 or more days prior to arrival: $9 non-refundable cancellation fee.
  • Day of or after arrival, must be cancelled through the call center.
  • $9.00 plus the 1st night's use fee.
  • After the arrival date, $9 non-refundable cancellation fee, fees for the nights following the call will be refunded. No same night refunds.

    Refunds:

  • Credit Card refunds are automatically credited back to the original credit card and will take up to 3 - 5 business days to appear on the customer's statement.
  • The State Forest campgrounds cannot process refunds for reservations processed online or through the call center.
  • The State Forest can process refunds for cash or check payments made through walk-in office reservations and walk-up campsites. State Forest do not process any credit card refunds.

  • Facility Rates*
    Park Season
    Site Type
    Nightly/Daily Rates
    Peak Season
    Oct 01 2024 -
    Apr 30 2025
    Pavilion
    $18.87
    Non Peak Season
    May 01 2025 -
    Sep 30 2025
    Pavilion
    $18.87
    Peak Season
    Oct 01 2025 -
    Apr 30 2026
    Pavilion
    $18.87

    *Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges

    **Weekly rates may not be available for all sites

    Getting There
    GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
    28.64833, -82.33722
    28°38'54"N, 82°20'14"W

    Physical Address: 15185 Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601
    USNG: 17R LM 69451 69347

    Contact Information

    Mailing Address:

    McKethan Pavilion Withlacoochee State Forest
    15003 Broad Street
    Brooksville  FL  34601-4201
    Phone Number:
    Project Office: (352)797-4140
    352-797-4141

    Additional Information