Way down under the Withlacoochee State Forest, there’s a whole other world waiting to be explored. It’s been more than a decade since I went caving with the gang from the Florida Speleological Society – an intrepid group of conservationists and explorers in Central Florida – to see caves both badly damaged by “spelunkers” and caves well-preserved and out of harm’s way.
One of Florida’s largest state forests, the Withlacoochee has an extensive system of caves of all shapes and sizes, some serving as nurseries for bat colonies. You’ll see some of the caves along the Citrus Hiking Trail, but there are many more out in the woods, if you know where to look.
Want to get underground here? Hook up with the group from the Florida Speleological Society or neighboring TBAG (Tampa Bay Area Grotto) for a safe, enjoyable time.
Up on a Roof