Croom Wildlife Management Center

Croom Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in Hernando and Sumter counties northeast of Brooksville, and encompasses more than 20,000 acres. This tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest lies along 13 winding miles of the Withlacoochee River and includes Silver Lake. Cypress and large expanses of longleaf pine dominate this forest.

A wide variety of recreational activities are available, including hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. There are numerous recreational trails on the area: hiking (31 miles), bicycling (64 miles), horseback riding (43 miles). The paved Withlacoochee State Trail goes through the area. Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands. All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands.

Other recreation opportunities include a dirt bike and ATV area, canoeing and boating (three boat ramps), and camping (five areas). Wildlife that may be seen on Croom WMA include white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, fox squirrels, alligators and swallow-tailed kites. Most of the roads on the area are very sandy and unimproved and four wheel drive is recommended.