By Rob Rogers

Anyone who has read my book knows how much I love the Green Swamp, a huge stretch of forest about an hour west of Orlando. But perhaps equally as beautiful is the nearby Richloam Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest lying just north of the Green Swamp West Tract. Richloam is also easier to reach from Orlando, and it has the added bonus of a historic general store. Spanning a whopping 58,000 acres, the Richloam Tract straddles the border of Hernando, Pasco, Sumter, and Lake Counties and comprises some of the eastern most portions of one of Florida’s largest state forests. Anyone who has driven on State Road 50 between Brooksville and Orlando will be familiar with the terrain, as it contains an ocean of tall pines that stretch for miles.

First settled in the late 19th century, Richloam was once home to several communities now lost to the annuls of history, including the towns of Terrell and Kalon. During the first half of the 20th century, the forests of Richloam were the home of logging camps that produced millions of tons of lumber, as well as turpentine, naval stores, and other products extracted from the local pine and cypress swamps. Richloam has also been a haven for hunters since the 1950s.

Richloam has three loop trails that draw hikers from all around Central Florida who look for longer distances, all of which connect to trailheads near the General Store. The shortest, the East Loop, is 9.4 miles long, while the North Loop spans 13.5 miles, and the South Loop runs 12.7 miles. Each has a well-placed primitive campsite, making them well-suited for one night backpacking adventures. The three loops can also be connected for a multi-day 25-plus mile trip.

A portion of the South Loop also includes a section of the Florida Trail, which connects to the South Loop just north of the High Point campsite on the northern edge of the Green Swamp West Tract and continues 8 miles before exiting Richloam’s western border. The South Loop also has a beautiful 1.1-mile side trail, the Scenic Lower Withlacoochee River Trail, that meanders through a riverside forest of cypress trees that floods during months of heavy rain. This is a majestic, dense forest. Although technically not old growth—the old growth was cut down a century ago—the land has been left to regrow naturally, and most of the trails are nestled among pines and live oaks.

The Scenic Lower Withlacoochee River Trail is also special. Weaving through cypress knees and large cypress with their broad trunks, you can see the high-water marks left from the most recent flooding and hike beside a gorgeous stretch of the Lower Withlacoochee River. Although much of the trail took a walloping during the 2024 hurricanes, the trail maintenance crews from the FTA’s Suncoast chapter have done a great job. My wife and I hiked on the FTA leg of the South Loop two weeks ago and were pleased to find the trails green, dry, clear, and tick-free.

A highlight to end any hike at Richloam is the Richloam General Store. Dating back to 1922 and reverently preserved by the Brinson and Burkes families, the General Store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and is a time capsule from early 20th century Florida. It is now a local favorite with weekend tourists, who flock there for its ice cream, candy, and glass-bottle soda. The General Store also sells an excellent book written by Eric, Florida’s Flatwoods: The Story of Richloam, which has plenty of historical photographs and details about the history of the region.

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Rob Rogers is the award-winning author of Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida. He also writes a blog called the “Central Florida Backpacking Desk Jockey”, and his essays and articles on backpacking have been published on FloridaHikes.com and in the Wilderness House Literary Review, Outdoors Unlimited, and Go World Travel.

Dickson Azalea Park

At one of Orlando’s oldest parks, the lush ravine protected by Dickson Azalea Park provides a scenic walk along Fern Creek any time of year.

Upcoming Trail Maintenance

Our chapter has some tentative bridge build projects coming up, so stay tuned. The 2026-2027 schedule will be released later this year, starting with our annual Trail Maintenance Kick-off at the Mills Creek Woodlands in September. Request to be added to the Trail Maintenance email list here - cfchapter@floridatrail.org

🌟 Ready to Lead the Way?

As the trail comes alive with fall wildflowers and cooler breezes, it’s the perfect time to turn your passion for hiking into something even more impactful—becoming a Certified Activity Leader with the Central Florida Chapter.

Our trail community thrives because of the volunteers who step up, lace up, and lead the way. If you’ve ever thought, “I could do that”—you can. And we’re here to help you every step of the way.

🥾 It’s easier than you think:

To become certified, simply co-lead two different activities with two different certified leaders. This shadowing experience is a great way to build confidence and learn the ropes in a low-pressure, supportive environment.

🤝 Team up with current leaders:

Many of our Activity Leaders have upcoming hikes and would love a helping hand. Whether you’re interested in weekend treks, beginner-friendly walks, or rugged backwoods adventures—there’s a space for you.

📞 Let’s get you started:

Reach out to our Activity Leader Coordinator, Bill Turman, at 407-413-2950 or email HokieBill@bellsouth.net. He’ll connect you with upcoming opportunities and answer any questions you may have.

✅ Certified Activity Leaders:

Rachael Augspurg

Ron Aube

Stuart Dropkin

Kristen Gilbert

Kelley Galvin

Erica Johnson

Ned James

Jim Krell

Elda Larche

Mary-Slater Linn

David Magness

Tom Regan

Jerry Rogers

Chelsey Stevens

Chris Stevens

Bill Turman

🌱 Whether you want to give back, grow your leadership skills, or just share your love of the outdoors with others, becoming an Activity Leader is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference. Let’s hit the trail—together.