Withlacoochee State Forest Camping: Croom Sites Compared

Withlacoochee State Forest camping for a travel trailer comes down to three campgrounds on the Croom side of the forest: Silver Lake, Cypress Glen and Buttgenbach Mine at the Croom Motorcycle Area. Silver Lake and Cypress Glen share one recreation complex on Silver Lake Road in Brooksville and both offer water and electric sites, while Buttgenbach is built around off-highway riding and has rules that rule out many families. All three are booked through the Florida State Forests reservation site, and none lists sewer hookups.

If you are planning a long weekend in the forest with a rented trailer, the choice matters more than it looks on a map. Pets, alcohol, gate times and whether you need an off-highway pass all change from one campground to the next, and those rules decide which one actually works for your group.

Which Withlacoochee campgrounds can take a travel trailer?

Three Croom-area campgrounds have electric sites suited to a trailer, and a fourth in the Citrus Tract is worth knowing about. The Silver Lake Recreation Complex holds three campgrounds in total, but Crooked River is tent only with no electric, so it is off the list for a trailer. Hog Island and River Junction on the Croom Tract are non-electric, according to the forest's own recreation guide.

How do Silver Lake, Cypress Glen and Buttgenbach compare side by side?

They differ most on pets, riding access and arrival rules, not on hookups. Here is how the three line up using the reservation listings and Forest Service brochures.

What should you know about the Croom Motorcycle Area before booking Buttgenbach?

Buttgenbach is a riders' campground first, so book it only if off-highway riding is the reason for the trip. The reservation listing says all campers must buy an annual OHV pass for each unit entering the facility, and off-road vehicles must be 55 inches wide or less and 1,500 pounds dry weight or less. The Croom Motorcycle Area sits at 6420 La Rose Road, Brooksville, with a gatehouse, a kids' riding area, a technical riding area open on limited days, and a wash rack for bikes.

For a family without bikes, the pass requirement and no-pets rule make Silver Lake or Cypress Glen the easier call. Firearm hunting is prohibited inside the motorcycle area, but archery seasons do apply, so the listing recommends blaze orange while riding during hunting seasons.

Which campground fits the fifth wheel?

None of the three publishes a single maximum length, so the fifth wheel fits only where the specific site you reserve allows it. Site sizes vary inside each loop, so do not assume every pad works because the campground has 50 amp service. Before you book, ask our team for the unit's length, then filter sites by that number.

Silver Lake has 50 amp service and the complex dump station in the same loop. Keep in mind the complex rule of one camping unit per site plus two vehicles, so your tow truck uses one of those two spots. If you are towing the fifth wheel yourself, you will need a pickup with a fifth-wheel hitch; confirm the exact requirements with the team.

Can a rental trailer be delivered to a state forest campsite?

Delivery is offered, but the forest's published rules do not say anything specific about delivered rentals, so confirm with the Withlacoochee Visitor Center before you book. The rules that do apply: only licensed, street-legal vehicles may enter the Silver Lake complex, gates run 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, and check-in starts at 3:00 pm. That means a delivery needs to arrive within those hours and after your site opens.

On our side, delivery is not confirmed on every listing and setup details can differ by unit and campground, so the fee, the unit and the timing are set when you book. Also note that alcohol is not permitted anywhere in the Silver Lake complex, a rule that surprises some groups.

Which of our trailers suit a forest weekend?

For a family of four to six with a dog headed to Silver Lake, the 2022 Keystone Springdale sleeps up to 8 and starts around $120 per night, the lowest rate in the fleet. A group of eight, the most one Cypress Glen site allows, gets extra breathing room in the 2021 Jayco Jay Feather, which sleeps 10 and runs about $137 per night. If you want more room and are ready to measure your site carefully, the 2020 Crossroads Volante fifth wheel sleeps 9 at about $195 per night.

Nightly rates are only part of the bill, so ask for a full quote before you commit. Compare layouts on the small travel trailer, large bunkhouse travel trailer and fifth wheel trailer pages, and see current numbers on the RV rental prices page. If you are coming from the north end of the forest, our Bushnell RV rentals and Inverness RV rentals pages cover nearby stays.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Silver Lake Recreation Complex in Hernando County?

The complex is at 31475 Silver Lake Road, Brooksville, on the Croom Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, about a 5-mile drive from I-75 according to its reservation listing. Silver Lake and Cypress Glen share this address.

Which Withlacoochee campgrounds allow pets?

Silver Lake, Cypress Glen and Holder Mine allow leashed pets with proof of rabies vaccination. Buttgenbach Mine, Crooked River and several other non-electric campgrounds do not, so pick your campground before you promise the dog a trip.

Is there road noise at Silver Lake Campground?

Yes, at times. The reservation listing notes that road noise from nearby I-75 may be heard, which is the trade-off for how quickly you can reach the campground from Brooksville.

Can I ride an ATV or dirt bike from Silver Lake Campground?

No. Only licensed, street-legal vehicles are permitted in the Silver Lake complex, and ATVs, dirt bikes, golf carts and go-karts are prohibited. Off-highway riding in Hernando County's part of the forest happens at the Croom Motorcycle Area on La Rose Road.

Is alcohol allowed at the Silver Lake complex near Brooksville?

No. The Forest Service brochure for the Silver Lake Recreation Complex states that alcohol is not permitted in any area, which covers Silver Lake, Cypress Glen and Crooked River.

Do I need a pass to camp at Buttgenbach in the Croom Motorcycle Area?

Yes. The reservation listing requires an annual OHV pass for each unit entering the facility before camping, and passes are checked at the gatehouse, which you must reach before 5:00 pm on arrival day.

Ready to book your forest weekend?

Pick your campground and dates first, then let us match a trailer to the site length and group size. To check delivery, timing and the right unit, contact our Manager and the Brooksville RV Rentals Team. When you have dates in mind, View available RVs.

Sources