Cypress Glen Campground

We stayed here for 3 nights at the end of April / beginning of May. Site 47 was great! We had a little view of the lake & no one in front of us. And our site was huge! The site on the backside of our trailer was a bit close, but it was only occupied one night. Lots of people & families over the weekend, then it cleared out. Saw a gopher tortoise just off the road close to the beginning of the campground loop. Please watch for him so he doesn't get run over.
Kind of a weird way to get there from highway 75.

Loved this campground. The roadway from the entrance and the loop through the campground is all paved now and our campsite #46 was across the road from the canoe launch area, so was very convenient to the lake. The Withlacoochee River runs through the lake and the paddle upstream was easy and scenic. The paved Withlacoochee bike trail is directly across the road from the entrance station, which was very easy access and pleasant to ride. There is also a mountain bike trial that starts at the adjoining Crooked River Campground and follows the river upstream that was fun to ride. We had a great experience here and hope to return in the future.

Beautiful forested setting, some "stinging" caterpillars if you are allergic, they don't bother me. About 5 miles up Croom Ritual Road from I75. Road is a little rough and curvy. No check-in, just drive to your reserved site. Sites are fairly well spaced, especially on the outside of the loop. Gravel sites are somewhat un-level. Website states how level they are: ours said 12" front to back and 6' side to side but no problem getting leveled. Bathrooms are OK, no laundry or other amenities. 50 amp service worked well, water pressure was a little low but usable. No traffic noise just birds singing.

Good hiking in the area and from the campground. About 5 miles to get back to civilization, grocery and restaurants.

Fair AT&T service 43 bars of 5G, RSPR was -100 unboosted. We streamed with no problem. Several local HDTV channels.

A few miles from the Croom mountain bike trails. Fairly close to I75, so you do hear the road noise at night. Sites are far enough apart that neighbors don’t bother you. 27 was a little tough to get into with a 30’ trailer. The site post and sign are right at the edge of the drive. Most every site is either above or below the road. I would stay again.

One of my favorite places to get away from Tampa! Enjoy a little rustic lifestyle, some excellent biking (mountain & road), and paddling (kayaking & paddle boarding) on or next to Silver Lake and the Withlacoochee River.

I have stayed in several sites but 44 is my favorite as it is secluded in the trees and huge distances from others.

Here some info on the outdoor activities:

Croom MTB Trails: There is a 35-mile loop and a 12-mile loop, and both are interconnected via other trails. The terrain varies from rolling, pine-forested hills to low lying oak hammocks. The trails through the hammocks are usually more twisty and close-spaced, while the northern end includes several miles of trail through an abandoned lime rock pit.

Road Biking: At 46 miles in length, the Withlacoochee State Trail is presently one of Florida's longest paved rail-trails. With a generally flat terrain and many access points, the trail is ideal for all cycling skills and fitness levels. The trail offers rich opportunities for viewing plants & wildlife and provides access to many other outstanding recreational opportunities, the MTB trails in the Croom area, and some access to the Withlacoochee River.

Paddling: The Withlacoochee River originates in central Florida's Green Swamp, east of Polk City. It flows west, then north, and then turns northwest and finally west again before it empties into the Gulf of Mexico near Yankeetown and is 141 miles long. Silver Lake is right at I75, where the river flows under and continues west.

Other reviews here did a good job of covering, so I will just add a couple things I noticed to be aware of:

- Sites are indeed a bit unlevel, but we were able to level with minimal effort on sites 29 and 42
- Bathhouses aren't great, but adequate
- Lots of newer picnic tables
- Water pressure a bit low but fine (<40psi)
- Rangers come through periodically, which makes it feel extra secure
- Lake access is convenient for kayaking, etc

I would stay again if in the area.

Access is down a bumpy dirt road and as you enter the camping area it becomes slightly narrow. Many of the sites require backing up a grade to reach the broken concrete pad area. Our site was mostly level, required a backin down a slight grade. The site has 50 amp electric and water hookups, a fire ring and a picnic table. My only complaint about this site was there was no level ground for the picnic table, I estimated the table leaned thirty degrees. This site is fairly private

Cypress Glen campground is inside Silver lake rec area. All sites are gravel but not level. The road in is hard packed dirt and easy to travel. Silver lake rec area has two boat ramps and is a very easy paddle in a canoe or kayak. Bath houses are nice and clean. Two new dump stations located near the park entrance. If you have a big rig you will want to stay at silver lake campground it has more sites suited for longer units. Check in is at 3pm but we arrived at 10:30am and our site was empty so they let us setup early.