Description
31475 SILVER LAKE ROAD, BROOKSVILLE FLORIDA 34602. Silver Lake Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Hernando County), and a short 5-mile drive from I-75. On the shore of Silver Lake, which is part of the Withlacoochee River system, this campground is adjacent to the Silver Lake Day-Use Area which has a picnic shelter and a boat ramp. Recreational activities nearby include: boating / paddling / watersports, wildlife viewing, bicycling, hiking, and fishing.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 Fund's "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:
There is a bathhouse and a dump station.
Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with grate and/or a grill. There are 23 sites (#1-23) at Silver Lake Campground with water and electric with 30 and 50 amp hookup.
Maximum of 1 RV and 1 tent or 2 tents per site. Campsites 19, 20 & 21 have enhanced accessibility. If no one in your group needs an accessible site, please choose these sites last. Day use areas are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Day Use Area has a pavilion which is available to rent for events.
Access to boat ramp and hiking trails including the Withlacoochee State Trail.
Fishing, boating/canoeing/kayaking,
Leashed Pets are allowed.
Only licensed, street legal vehicles are permitted in the complex. The use of horses, go-karts, golf carts, ATV’s or dirt bikes is prohibited.
Nearby Attractions:
Attractions/Theme Parks
Central Florida major theme parks (within 1-1.5 hour drive time) Professional and college sports stadiums (within 1 hour drive time) Art Galleries Boyett's Grove (Brooksville) Bushnell Motorsports Park Dade City Wild Things Zoo Florida Bass Conservation Center (Webster-south of SR 50) Lowry Park Zoo (Tampa) Museum of Drag Racing (Ocala) Nature Coast Botanical Gardens (Spring Hill) Pioneer Florida Museum (Dade City) Rock Crusher Canyon (outdoor concerts and events) 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, 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 Leashed Pets Allowed.
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 if you are recreating outside the campground.
During hunting season it is recommended hikers were at least 500 square inches of blaze orange clothing for safety. Refer to MyFWC.com website for dates
No hunting allowed in campgrounds. Please contact myfwc.com for specific hunting seasons and dates if planning on using any of the hiking trails.
Chainsaw use is camping facilities is prohibited. Operation/use of chainsaws in other ares of the forest requires a Fuel Wood Permit.
Firewood may be available on-site.
Only licensed, street legal vehicles are permitted
in the complex. The use of horses, go-karts,
golf carts, ATV’s or dirt bikes is prohibited.
Due to the convenient location of this campground near I-75, road noise may be heard at times.
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