The Hog Island Campground & Day Use Area is located within the Croom Tract of the Withlacoochee…read moreState Forest (Sumter County.). It's popular for camping, fishing, kayaking and hiking. This park requires an admission fee or an annual pass.
On the bank of the Withlacoochee River, this campground is a peaceful, paddlers paradise. Other recreational activities include: fishing, day use picnic area, wildlife viewing, and hiking.
The Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, and Jumper Creek 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 animals.
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.
Many day-use facilities are available on Withlacoochee State Forest for picnicking and wildlife viewing. The Croom Motorcycle Area provides a developed campground and 2,600 acres of off-road trails for motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle (ATVs) enthusiasts.
We enjoyed the peaceful day use area while scoping out the campground for a possible future camping trip.
Full-facility, primitive, and group camping are available at numerous locations. Non-electric campsites with water at each site and a bathhouse. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with grate and/or a grill. There is a maximum of 1 RV and 1 tent or 3 tents per site. Neither pets nor alcohol is permitted. The campground has a restroom with showers available for use.
Hog Island Campground has one paddle-in only campsite. Just like the other sites, there is a grill, picnic table and water spigot, as well as access to the restroom. This site is tent only, and does not allow for vehicle access.
The youth camp area is for organized youth groups only. It allows for either 2 groups of 25 or less, or one group of 50 or less. The youth group camp is non-electric, but has water, and access to the restroom.
Boat Ramp/Kayak Launch/Day Use Area:
While the parking lot is unpaved, the Hog Island boat/kayak launch is concrete, and offers access to the Withlacoochee River. In addition to the launch, you will find a few picnic tables, grills and the foot trail in this area. There is access to fishing, canoeing, and kayaking in the Withlacoochee River from campground. Day Use Hours: 7am - 8pm.
You can enjoy a 2-mile loop foot trail near the boat/kayak launch, or explore the out-and-back Croom Hiking Trail, which has a small parking area and some picnic tables (no grills). Hunting is permitted in the Withlacoochee State Forest, so make sure to check the schedule and wear bright-colored clothing if you decide to hike during hunting season.
The road leading into Hog Island Campground & Day Use Area is unpaved. We had no problem navigating the road in our car, we simply followed the speed limit and kept a close eye out for ruts in the road.
I recommend bringing along bug spray for your trip to Hog Island, one that works for both mosquitos and ticks.
A Florida State Parks Annual Pass costs $60 for an Individual Pass (unlimited entry for one person) or $120 for a Family Pass (up to eight people), valid for one year from purchase; additional people with an individual pass pay $2 each, but these passes don't cover camping or special activities like boat tours, and there are separate options for Sportsman Licenses or Foundation Memberships.
The Unlimited pass includes entry into most of Florida's state parks for the pass holder(s).
The annual pass does not cover: Camping, boat tours, tubing, garden admissions, or other special-use fees.
Purchase online through the Florida State Parks website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/florida-state-parks-annual-pass or in person at any state park with a ranger station.