Fort Cooper State Park
The shady trees around Lake Holathlikaha have provided refuge and recuperation for the body, mind and spirit since the Second Seminole War in the mid 19th century. Today, paddlers can glide across the lake waters while anglers target the bass that lurk below the surface. Primitive campsites are available along the southern shores of the lake with potable water, portable toilets, picnic tables, grills and fire rings. Other areas of the park offer lakeside beaches, lake swimming, hiking trails, a playground and recreation center with a kitchen suitable for group events.
Fort Cooper State Park
3100 South Old Floral City Rd.
Inverness, FL 34450
(352) 726-0315
floridastateparks.org/fortcooper
Riverside Lodge RV Resort & Cabins
The Withlacoochee South River Paddling Trail stretches 76 miles from northern Pasco County to Dunnellon in southwestern Marion County. Riverside Lodge RV Resort & Cabins can be found on the banks of the Withlacoochee River two-thirds of the way through the gentle paddling trip. The resort offers tent camping, cabin rentals and full-hookup RV sites for campers looking to explore this section of the river and the surrounding wetlands. In addition to electric and water, tent campsites are provided with Wi-Fi and picnic tables. Resort facilities include a canoe rentals, fishing pier and laundry.
Riverside Lodge RV Resort & Cabins
12561 E. Gulf to Lake Hwy.
Inverness, FL 34450
(888) 404-8332
riversidelodgerv.com
Withlacoochee State Forest: Citrus Tract
The Withlacoochee State Forest consists of multiple tracts spread over five Florida counties. The Citrus Tract is one of the largest, extending from the outskirts of Inverness southward to Hernando County. This expanse of forest offers wilderness explorers multiple campgrounds and backcountry camping ranging from primitive campsites to developed campgrounds. Holder Mine Recreation Area is the closest of these developed campgrounds to Inverness; it provides a base camp with electricity, water, restrooms and showers from which to hike the Florida National Scenic Trail or the Citrus A Loop Trail, an 8.6-mile trail included in the state forest Trailwalker Program. Many miles of trails and unimproved dirt roads traverse the forest, providing hikers, cyclists and equestrians ample opportunity to find the hidden gems within the forest, including a series of small, dry caves known as the Dames Cave system.
Withlacoochee State Forest
Recreation/Visitors Center
15003 Broad St.
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.
