Hog Island Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Hog Island Trail contains the abandoned town of Croom. It is a scenic trail follows along several sinks (where water collects and sinks into the aquifer), swamps, and along the Withlacoochie River. One trailhead for it is within the Hog Island Campground where there is an informative kiosk.

This is an easy trail. There are several road crossings and many things to look at on this route. (At the time of my stay I was not able to complete the entire trail, so only a partial description is listed here). You'll be following yellow blazes which will be on trees, stumps and fence posts. Some places are marked with surveyor's tape which might be yellow, orange or pink. There used to be a shorter loop trail and this loop was blazed in yellow and the longer trail was blazed in orange. Be aware some yellow blazes are marked over the orange now, and you may also see old orange blazes.

The trail itself is fairly flat with the usual downed trees, and low branches to duck. Open areas can be very hot, and where the trail runs along wet areas it is very buggy. Be aware of alligator sightings in the water.

Flora will include old live oaks, long needle pine, cypress, palmetto glades and more. Fungi are infrequent but include destroying angels, earth stars, and chantrel. Indian pipe was also identified. Evidence of wild pigs was observed as patches of trail were rooted up.