Withlacoochee State Forest Trail System

Spread across 157,000 acres of rolling sand hills north of Tampa Bay, Withlacoochee State Forest offers the closest thing to Western-style overlanding you’ll find in Florida. The Croom Motorcycle Area anchors a web of forest roads and OHV trails that connect five separate tract areas, including deep sugar sand sections that’ll humble any street tire. The Hog Island Recreation Area provides a good basecamp, but the real adventure starts when you follow the unmarked two-tracks deeper into the longleaf pine and palmetto country where wild hogs and the occasional black bear rule.

Moderate difficulty with sections of challenging sand that demand momentum and proper tire pressure — think 15 psi or lower. Stock 4WD with good tires handles most routes, but recovery gear is smart for the sugar sand sections. Spring through fall offers the best conditions, though summer heat is brutal. Day-use permits required for OHV areas. Plenty of primitive camping available, and you’re close enough to civilization for resupply runs. It’s proof that Florida has legitimate off-road terrain if you know where to look.