BROOKSVILLE: Hernando County on Florida’s Nature Coast, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the west and the Withlacoochee River on the east, offers a cornucopia for nature enthusiasts: Swamps, rolling hills, crystal clear springs and oak and slash pine forests. It is the perfect place to go fishing, boating, diving, hunting, camping, kayaking, canoeing, biking, running, hiking, roller-blading and off-highway motorcycle or ATV riding.			OTHER PLACES Boca Raton Bonita Springs Bradenton Brooksville Clearwater Captiva Island Charlotte Harbor Cocoa Beach Daytona Beach Daytona Beach Shores DeLand Destin Emerald Coast Everglades Ft Lauderdale Flagler Beach Fort Myers Fort Myers Beach Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Gainesville Gulf Islands Hollywood Jacksonville Key Largo Key West Kissimmee Lake Buena Vista Lake City Lakeland Marco Island Marianna Melbourne Miami Miami Beach Naples Ocala Orlando Ormond Beach Panama City Pensacola Plantation Pompano Beach Punta Gorda Sanibel Sarasota Sebring Siesta Key Space Coast South Walton Beaches St Augustine St Petersburg Tallahassee Tampa Titusville Vero Beach West Palm Beach
			Located in the center of Hernando County is the warm, friendly hometown atmosphere of historic Brooksville, the County Seat with brick streets lined with canopy trees, over 150 homes eligible for the National Register, antique shops, Rogers Christmas Village, Heritage Museum, art galleries, great places to shop and dine. Five artificial reefs placed off the Coast offer opportunities for fishing and diving excursions. Drift in a canoe, dive or snorkel the natural spring fed Weeki Wachee River. The river fluctuates from shallow to deep holes and the rate of flow varies with the tide. One dive area is called Hospital Hole, named because sick fish would soak in the sulfur layer to rid themselves of parasites. Hernando County has several deep cave dives beyond 300 feet. The best flats fishing in the area stretches from Pine Island North to the Chassahowitzka River and the Chassahowitzka Forest and Wildlife Refuge. The water is shallow with numerous rock outcrops that can be seen at low tide. This is another great place to kayak. Redfish, snook, and record-breaking tarpon have been caught off the coast here. You can catch grouper in 15ft of water and you can still pull in a meal of blue crab. West of Brooksville is Weeki Wachee and its enchanted spring – one of Florida's oldest and most unique roadside attractions. For almost 60 years, the fun- family-oriented Weeki Wachee Springs park has lured visitors with beautiful mermaids who swim in the cool, clear spring waters. Weeki Wachee Springs is a magical entrance into a mysterious blue underwater world of mermaids, manatees, turtles and bubbles. Sitting in the Mermaid Theater, visitors feel like they are inside the flowing spring, and are transported back to simpler times, before super theme parks and super highways appeared. The Weeki Wachee River and Jenkins Creek is home for manatees year round. You can swim or snorkel with them in either of these two spots. On the south side of the Weeki Wachee River is The Weeki Wachee Preserve which has a group of old lime rock pits that make an excellent fishing and boating area. Only hand-launched boats are allowed. Where in Florida can you find a sign posting “BEAR CROSSING”? – Hernando County is the answer. Western Hernando County is environmentally sensitive land. Areas have been saved from development for wetland protection and because of the large bear population. The Bears are not easy to spot. The bear population migrates from the Weeki Wachee Preserve north and across to the central part of the county. In the eastern section of Hernando County there are rolling hills and hidden in this part of the County is a 60 Mountain Bike Park that has been compared to Parks located in the Western part of the United States. Located in the Withlacoochee State Forest are 45 miles of off-road bicycle trails. The Withlacoochee State Forest is the second largest state forest in Florida. The forest has several waterways, which flow through different portions of the property. The Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River and Jumper Creek have all been designated as Outstanding Florida Waters. The forest has 3 nature trails, 92 miles of hiking trails, over 56 miles of horse trails. Croom Motorcycle Area established in 1973 is the only state property in Florida dedicated to the needs of off-highway motorcycle and ATV riders. Users will find miles of trails from easy to challenging, within the areas 2,600 acres. The terrain ranges from hardwood hammocks and tight scrubs, to numerous pits left from old mining operations. Annual permits are required. Croom Wildlife Management Area and Richloam Wildlife Management Area and State Forest offer seasonal hunting opportunities. Fishing is a popular activity on the Withlacoochee’s waterways where largemouth bass and panfish are caught. BROOKSVILLE
	Getting there: The Suncoast Parkway connects northern Hernando County with the Tampa International Airport and Westshore District of Tampa. The north-south tollway translates to less than 30 minutes to Tampa for many Spring Hill residents.  Hernando County is also well connected by Interstate 75 and US 301 in the east, US 41 and US 98 in the central part of the County, and US 19 in western Hernando County. Other Florida cities lying within an hour's drive of the County are Lakeland, Ocala, and Orlando. The County is served by the local Hernando County Airport and Tampa International Airport, 45 miles to the south.
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