Take a truly unique adventure and hike a cave trail in Florida by exploring the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail! Traverse this nearly four-mile loop path to enjoy central Florida wildlife, native plants, and incredible rock formations you’ll be surprised to find in the state! Perfect for kids and your furry friends, a visit to the Dames Caves via the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail is fun for the entire family!
Take a trip to the Withlacoochee State Forest in Citrus County, Florida to see cave formations up close! This rugged and protected area features biking, horse trails, off-roading, and birdwatching in addition to its many hiking trails.
The Withlacoochee State Forest Visitor Center is located in Brooksville, Florida. It’s a great place to stop and learn about the third largest state forest in the state! Customize your route to the Visitors Center.
To get to Dames Cave from the Visitors Center, take Snow Memorial Highway and turn right onto Ease Stage Coach Trail. Be on the lookout for a dirt road that will lead to an undesignated parking area.
Once you’re ready to hit the trails, keep your eyes open as there aren’t many signs to lead the way. Enjoy plenty of shade and even elevation change – which is rare in Florida!
You will only need to hike about half a mile before stumbling on the first of the caves along the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail.
While traversing to the caves, enjoy the dense canopies of the forest. Look for towering pines, cypress, oak, maple, and even gum and hickory trees. Visiting during certain times of the year will reward you with forest wildflowers, too!
The wide variety of topography and natural sites will astound you! Experience Florida swamp and wetlands in addition to the karst landforms and rocky formations.
There are no facilities in this area, however, you should be able to reach cell service.
Luckily, to find your way to the caves through the forest is a breeze! Simply head east and you’ll be sure to stumble on some of the most interesting caves not only in the area, but the entire state!
Dames Cave is part of a series of caves along the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail. Stay on top or climb down for a better view. Either way, you’re sure to be amazed by this awesome cave!
Find many other caves along the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail, including the Vandals Cave and the larger Peace Cave. It’s a great short hike offering many exploration opportunities for your outdoor adventure.
Be careful and watch your footing in rocky areas! Hiking sticks and proper footwear are encouraged.
As a bonus, there is also a sinkhole at the Withlacoochee State Forest! This impressive drop will leave you breathless as you stare down into one of nature’s most enthralling formations.
Find the sinkhole towards the ending of the loop trail. Follow an access road to a trail with yellow markers to this off-the-beaten-path location!
Visit Withlacoochee State Forest and take a hike on the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail! See incredible caves and so much more on this outdoor excursion into one of Florida’s most pristine forests.
Have you visited Florida’s state parks or forests? Which is your favorite? Be sure to share it with us in the comments below!
If visiting the Withlacoochee State Forest has you interested in the many other state parks the state, try adding 27 more beautiful Florida state parks to your bucket list today!
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