One Of The Coolest Places You've Never Been Is A Massive Florida Forest With Unique Ecosystems

When you think of Florida, sun, beaches, and theme parks come to mind. There are 8,000 miles of waterfront on two coasts, so it's no wonder that America's best-rated beach for 2025 is in the Sunshine State. Florida, however, has so much more to offer. There are four million acres of protected land to explore like parks, forests, and nature preserves, most with trails for hiking as well as other forms of recreation. One of Florida's most scenic hiking trails is in a massive Central Florida state forest with an unusual name. Withlacoochee State Forest got its name from a Native American word for "crooked river," and there is indeed a river of the same name that snakes through its 157,000-plus acres that stretch over four counties. 

According to the World Wildlife Fund, Withlacoochee State Forest is one of the "Top 10 Coolest Places You've Never Seen" in North America. It's not on the to-go list of many Florida visitors, but it should be. The WWF describes the state forest as a place "where mature stands of longleaf pines have created a habitat type found nowhere else on Earth." The organization went on to write that the unique ecosystem has a forest floor growing "a rich collection of understory plants — as many as 200 species at a single site." 

Withlacoochee State Forest is an hour and 15 minutes west of Orlando International Airport and under an hour north of Tampa International Airport, which is consistently ranked among the top airports in America and is also Samantha Brown's favorite airport. 

Withlacoochee State Forest has multiple sections called tracts. Start at the visitor center in the Headquarters Tract where a two-mile trail provides a good introduction to the variety of pine trees, and possibly wildlife like deer and hawks. Visitor center staff will happily point you to the areas of the forest that suit your interests and available time, and they also provide maps. You can hike and bike as well as canoe and fish in the Jumper Creek Tract, which follows the east bank of the Withlacoochee River. In the Two-Mile Prairie Tract, you'll find horse and hiking trails; and the trails in the Richloam Tract are multiuse, for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. The Audubon Society has designated both the Homosassa Tract and the Citrus Tract as Globally Important Birding Areas. Birders should be on the lookout for eastern meadowlarks and swallow-tailed kites along the 3-mile loop Rooks Trail in the Homosassa Tract; and a variety of woodpeckers and kestrels in the Citrus Tract. The Croom Tract is where motorcycle enthusiasts ride off road on 2,600 acres that include a former mine. Fishing and hiking are also available in the Croom Tract, and you can launch canoes at the picturesque Iron Bridge Day Use Recreation Area.

A Tripadvisor reviewer wrote "Beautiful terrain, forest types from basic swamp type to old oaks lining the roads. Loved the differences within a few feet from each other." Another reviewer cautioned "check your clothes for ticks." 

An entrance to Withlacoochee State Forest is in Brooksville, which is an adventure lover's paradise and makes an excellent base to visit the forest. Explore the charming town's history beginning with the Hernando Historical Museum Association, which operates three museums: the Countryman One Room Schoolhouse, the 1885 Brooksville Train Depot, and the seven-gable Victorian May-Stringer House. The May-Stringer house, dating back to 1856, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The train depot has model trains on display, as well as railroad artifacts and interpretive history panels. Another place for history buffs is the Chinsegut Hill Historic Site. Thomas Edison, J.C. Penney, and Helen Keller were guests at the house, which you can tour, and then explore the surrounding 114 acres. 

There are 30 mermaid statues throughout Brooksville, which are part of the Florida Mermaid Trail. This trail has nothing to do with Ariel and everything to do with the live mermaid performances at nearby Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. 

Withlacoochee State Forest has numerous places to stay, ranging from primitive camp sites to cabins for groups. For climate-controlled comfort, about 15 minutes from the forest entrance in Brooksville, you'll find there are chains like Holiday Inn and Quality Inn for prices beginning under $100. To the west 18 minutes, Dolan House Bed & Breakfast (around $180) and Arendales (around $150) are other lodging options with good Google reviews. Another option is traveling 40 minutes to Hernando Beach where you'll find a beach, waterfront restaurants, and hotels starting under $100 along Route 19.