The Florida Forest Service will close all campgrounds and recreation areas on State Forests if the county where the State Forest is located is placed under a Tropical Storm or Hurricane WARNING by the National Weather Service. Reservations will be automatically refunded for closures related to tropical weather.
Krul Campground Info: Day Passes are not valid for entry at Krul Campground. Reservations are required for entry and are available 2 days in advance here. Annual passholders also require a reservation, but will be admitted for free.
Jumper Creek Primitive Camp Zone Paddle In Withlacoochee State Forest , FL
Book a Campsite at Jumper Creek Primitive Camp Zone Paddle In Withlacoochee State Forest, FL
** Arrival dates earlier than the online-reservation-window may also be available at the campground.
*** Some sites may be available only from the campground on a first-come-first-served basis.
Description
The Jumper Creek Primitive Camp Zone PaddleIn is located on the Jumper Creek Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, approximately 12 miles southeast of Inverness, FL. This campground is a paddle in and paddle out site only. There is no water and there are no amenities, although some areas may have a fire ring. The camp zone is delineated by yellow colored bands on the trees and is approximately 5 miles north of the SR 48 bridge or 6 miles south of the Lake Panasoffkee outlet river near CR 470 on Shell Island. Recreational activities featured here are: hiking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, swimming, fishing and hunting during appropriate seasons and with appropriate licenses, star gazing, wildflower viewing and nature study.
Geography:
The Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, and Jumper Creek have all been designated as Outstanding Florida Waters, and each meanders through this forest which spans across 5 counties and exceeds 165,000 acres. Withlacoochee is a Native American word meaning "crooked river". This accurately describes the Withlacoochee River as it makes its 70-mile journey from the Green Swamp, in northern Polk County, to the Gulf of Mexico at Yankeetown. Complementing the natural water features are the open pine sand hills, dense woodlands, and canopied roads and trails. Tree species found on the forest include slash pine, longleaf pine, pond and bald cypress, maple, southern magnolia, hickory, and various species of oak. There is also an abundance of colorful wildflowers during the Autumn, including goldenrod, thistle, and blazing star. These natural features create excellent habitat for bald eagles, fox squirrels, gopher tortoise, white-tail deer, and turkeys, to name a few. For additional information about Withlacoochee State Forest, please Click Here.
Recreation:
In 1999, the Withlacoochee State Forest was ranked #1 on the World Wildlife Funds "10 Coolest Places You've Never Seen in North America". Facilities include many miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and paddling. Seasonal hunting is available in most of the forest, and fish are plentiful in the many lakes and flowing waterways. Full-facility, primitive, and group camping are available at numerous locations. Many day-use facilities are available on Withlacoochee State Forest for picnicking and wildlife viewing. And, the Croom Motorcycle Area provides a developed campground and 2,600 acres of off-road trails for motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle (ATVs) enthusiasts. For additional information about Withlacoochee State Forest, please Click Here.
Facilities:
No amenities - some areas may have fire rings
No portable water
Nearby Attractions:
- Attractions/Theme Parks
Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 11 Month(s) in advance.
Season Schedule
- Bird Watching
- Camping, Backcountry
- Hiking Trail
- Hunting
- Boating, Canoeing
- Boating, Kayaking
- River/Stream
Refunds:
Facility Rates*
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
28.75722, -82.20222
28°45'26"N, 82°12'8"W
From the Withlacoochee River at SR-48 you would have to paddle north approximately 5 miles to Shell Island. From the Lake Panasoffkee outlet river near CR-470 you would paddle approximately 6 miles South on the Withlacoochee River to Shell Island.