Leave it the CWT family and friends to get together and do something crazy….CAVING! That’s right, we have caves in north central Florida.
The Dames Caves in the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee Forest (Trail 22) is an amazing place to enjoy the outdoors with the entire family. You don’t have to be world-famous cavers or hikers. You just have to have a sense of adventure and half a day of good weather.
We arrived with the usual suspects at the obscure parking area on the roadside. Thus began a fun-filled day of exploration and testing of our courage!
The caves vary from easy entries with large rooms to multi-level systems with some fairly interesting tight spaces to get into. There is something for everyone. We recommend this even for those who might be claustrophobic. Some of these caves are wide open!
Bring water, lunch, cameras, headlamps, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty! Mind you, Chicks with Ticks NEVER mind getting dirty!
If you need information, please don’t hesitate to call Eddie at the division of forestry for Withlacoochee. He was amazing and very helpful.
Hmm, I wonder if any of the people enjoying the caves purchased a wildlife management permit since it is required by hunters and anyone using said premises.
Metros or city type people have ruined this management area everything you can think of happens there, even wedding at Tillis Hill camping area, has a very large banquet room thanks to our past Ag commisioner, Doyle Conner, who held his Bird Dog Field Trials at Tillis Hills years ago, please take a look at Tillis Hill camping area, then go to Holder Mine camping area, then to Mutual Mine camping area, compare the differences, Tillis Hill area was for the snooty boys.
ghost169
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Not sure – Eddie with forestry did not mention that we needed any permits. It isn’t technically a recreation area but they are currently in grant-finding mode to add more improvements. I will be part of the grant search so would think they would have informed us. The Division of Forestry was amazing!!
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Oh – and hunters are always required to have a permit – rec use not always!
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I didn’t know there were caves in Florida, crazy!! Good information to know, thanks!
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I didn’t know about Florida caves, thank you, my grandkids will love exploring here.
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You can search Dames Caves – Citrus Tract trail 22 Withlacoochee forest!
http://florida.sierraclub.org/tampabay/photos/2008/021608/index.htm
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I have and it’s near Tampa. We have friends who winter in Lake Wales, close by. I didn’t have a clue one of naturesl beauty was so near.
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Great stuff! I didn’t know about the caves! Thanks for stopping by my blog and following me!
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