Fort Cooper State Park
Fort Cooper State Park is one of Florida’s stunning, natural treasures. The park consists of more than 700 acres of trails and wildlife and is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
What Makes the Park Special
The park is a beautiful refuge for unusual plants and endangered species of animals. Five miles of guided paths provide areas for viewing wildlife, butterflies, and birds native to the region. The Withlacoochee State Park is connected to Fort Cooper State Park by a paved path. The Seminole Heritage Trail is a one and a half-mile path featuring four kiosks that tell the story of the Seminole people and why the park was built. The displays feature:
- First Seminole War and Spanish Occupation
- Daily Lives of the Seminole People
- Second Seminole War
- The Fort’s Namesake, Major Cooper
Activities Within Fort Cooper State Park
Each year the park hosts a Second Seminole War re-enactment in March. Visitors get a glimpse into daily life in the 19th-century. The two-day event features arts and crafts, food, living history demonstrations, and two battle re-enactments.
Major Cooper’s 1st Battalion of Georgia Foot volunteers. Photo courtesy of floridastateparks.org.
The park offers fun, family activities including:
- Boat Tours
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature Viewing
- Sunbathing
- Swimming
- Youth Camping
Visitors to the park have access to swimming areas and boat rentals at Lake Holathlikaha and the Withlacoochee State Trail. The park also features a primitive campground, nature trails to explore, more than 5 miles of hiking trails, a playground, and picnic area. The park is also pet-friendly.
Nearby Attractions
Attractions in and around Inverness include Wallace Brooks and Liberty Parks along the Withlacoochee Trail, which is open year-round. The trail extends for 46 miles and is suitable for hikers and bicyclists. Whispering Pines Park features an Olympic-size pool and walking trails. The Citrus County Speedway is also nearby.
Type Of Camping Available
Four sites are available for campers all year. Tent camping is allowed, but no RV camping is available. The park provides picnic tables and grills, water, and bathroom facilities. Fishing and hiking are open to visitors. Reservations are required.
Fort Cooper State Park map courtesy of FloridaStateParks.org.
Tips For RVers Visiting The Park
Colt Creek State Park is one of the closest parks to Inverness that offers RV camping. The park has 27 campsites that have full facilities with 30 and 50 amp hookups. Several sites can accommodate RVs up to 70 feet. The park has a bathhouse that’s accessible to all guests and a dump station.
Among the unique features of the park is an equestrian campground with ten sites for horse trailers. Up to 8 guests may be accommodated at each location. All supplies must be brought in by guests since no other amenities are available. Colt Creek also provides primitive camping that is located two miles from the parking area. The primitive sites are accessible by horseback, mountain bike, or on foot. Pets are allowed at these sites but not at the primitive campsites available to groups. Florida state parks are open between 8 a.m. and sundown.
For more information, please visit the Fort Cooper State Park webpage on FloridaStateParks.org or call 352.726.0315.
