Withlacoochee State Forest covers over 165,000 acres across five Florida counties, offering diverse camping opportunities near Brooksville. The forest contains multiple water features including the Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, and Jumper Creek, all designated as Outstanding Florida Waters. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s with high humidity, while winter nights may dip into the 40s.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Access points at several trailheads. At Hog Island Campground, campers frequently encounter local wildlife. "Get up early in the morning and take walk and you are sure to see some deer," notes Lynn S., adding that the area remains "pretty quiet although you can hear some traffic."
Paddling: Multiple launch points for kayaks and canoes. The Withlacoochee River system provides excellent paddling opportunities. At River Junction Campground, site 14 offers a unique water feature. John O. explains it "has its own private pool right in front of it with cold spring water it was an awesome experience."
Hiking: Trail options from 2-mile loops to 7+ mile routes. The forest trail system connects many campgrounds, offering varied terrain through pine sandhills and dense woodlands. "We camped for one night at this location. It was a great area for biking and hiking. On our hike we found an old girl scout camp," shares Rusty R. from his experience at Cypress Glen Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Most locations provide ample space between campers. At Crooked River Campground, campers appreciate the natural privacy. "The spacious, private campsites were a plus. It truly felt like we were camping alone in the forest and the kids loved getting to explore," notes Danae N., who stayed at site 74.
Swimming opportunities: Natural water access at multiple locations. The clear waters at Mutual Mine Campground provide relief during hot months. Jennifer T. shares that "the watering hole helped us stay cool" during her summer visit, mentioning that her family "booked 5 sites total" and found campsite 12 to be their favorite.
Diverse camping styles: From primitive sites to full hookups. The variety of camping options throughout the forest accommodates different preferences. At Holder Mine Campground, many sites feature large shade trees and level pads. Mary H. describes, "All sites have fire pit with grill, picnic table and level cement pad. We had a large beautiful oak on our site."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly. Some campgrounds have challenging access routes. "The road in called SW 113 ST was hardcore off road muddy driving. We pay for the sites so the road in could have been a lot less treacherous. Potholes all the way to the site," warns TERIA M. about her experience at River Junction.
Highway noise: Interstate proximity affects some locations. Several campers note that Interstate 75 noise impacts certain campgrounds. Karen T. reports about Cypress Glen Campground, "Liked the campground but there was a lot of highway noise."
Limited facilities: Amenities vary between campgrounds. While many sites have water and electric hookups, bathhouse facilities differ. At Mutual Mine, R C. notes that while "the facilities are very good with toilet/shower facilities," the campground is "primarily an RV campground" and tent campers may feel like they're "in an RV zoo."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: River access for cooling off. The Withlacoochee River provides natural recreation for kids. Tracy L H. at Crooked River Campground enjoyed "a group paddle down the river for a few hours," explaining, "We shuttled some cars down that way so we could paddle far down and ride back. And have a lunch at the campsite afterwards."
Pet accommodations: Dog-friendly options with restrictions. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Brooksville have specific pet policies. At Florida Sand Music Ranch (formerly Sertoma Youth Camp), Brittany P. mentions it has "bathroom and shower units as well as rv hookups" with "plenty of shaded areas" making it comfortable for families with pets.
Insect preparation: Seasonal bug activity varies. Mosquitoes can be particularly active during summer months. Tianay F. from Crooked River Campground advises, "there's mosquitoes but that is Florida camping bring bug spray and keep the fire going helps."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on rig size and access. Several campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. About Holder Mine Campground, Todd L. warns that "the Park Ranger is pretty rude" and will "scold you if you park in the grass at all." He also notes "the dump station is no longer in use so you have to use the bath house or dump elsewhere."
Seasonal considerations: Plan for temperature extremes. Florida's climate affects camping comfort throughout the year. Perry J. mentions about Hog Island, "What no electricity really means to us is we can't camp at Hog Island in the Summer because what we do like on weekends is sleep we don't get during the work week. Just too hot without AC for us."
Reservation planning: Some campgrounds fill quickly. Many forest campgrounds now require advance booking. Mary H. shares advice about Holder Mine: "plan well ahead of time. A change of plans left only one night. And I was unable to get reservations to extend our stay for longer."
