Fort Cooper State Park
Primitive campsites within Fort Cooper Park allow groups to share the woods around the site where soldiers recuperated during the Second Seminole War. Canoe rentals allow campers to fish and explore Lake Holathlikaha, and swimming is permitted when the lake is deep enough. Bird-watching opportunities have made this park part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. The park also offers campers hiking trails, a playground, toilets, picnic areas, grills, fire rings, and potable water. Pets are not allowed in the campground or lake.
Fort Cooper State Park
3100 South Old Floral City Road
Inverness, FL 34450
(352) 726-0315
floridastateparks.org/fortcooper
Riverside Lodge RV Resort & Cabins
Riverside Lodge RV Resort & Cabins offers tent camping in addition to its full-hookup RV sites and rental cabins. Set along the Withlacoochee River, the campground offers electricity, water, picnic table and Wi-Fi at its tent sites. Canoe rentals allow guests to explore the waterway, while the western corridor of the Florida Trail gives hikers many miles of trekking. The campground also features a fishing pier, laundry, and riverfront swings.
Riverside Lodge RV Resort & Cabins
12561 E. Gulf to Lake Highway
Inverness, FL 34450
(888) 404-8332
riversidelodgerv.com
Withlacoochee State Forest: Citrus Tract
The Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest offers many wonders for the careful observer to discover, from the oldest caves in Florida to wild turkey and bald eagles. The Holder Mine Recreation Area in the forest lies just a few miles from Inverness and offers campsites suitable for tent or RV, with electricity, water, restrooms, and showers. Two loop hiking trails lie close to the campground, one of which is part of the Trailwalker Program. Combined they yield more than 25 miles of trails through the forest. Further into the forest, additional campsites can be found at the Tillis Mill Recreation Area and the Mutual Mine Recreation Area.
Withlacoochee State Forest
Recreation/Visitors Center
15003 Broad Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 754-6896
fl-dof.com/state_forests
Article Written By David Chandler
David Chandler has been a freelance writer since 2006 whose work has appeared in various print and online publications. A former reconnaissance Marine, he is an active hiker, diver, kayaker, sailor and angler. He has traveled extensively and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida where he was educated in international studies and microbiology.
