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 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 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

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

Season Schedule

• General Rules