Fishing on the Nature coast offers some great fishing once you learn the secrets of the locals. Angling opportunities are limited in the county but boat ramps are located on lakes Lindsey (off CR 581), Lake Theresa (east of US Hwy. 19 near Weeki Wachee), and Mountain Lake (off US Hwy. 41) where bass, bream, and crappie are caught. Low water levels and aquatic vegetation often interfere with boat launching and navigation, so local knowledge is needed. Bass and spotted sunfish are abundant in this seven-mile-long spring run that flows from a tourist attraction located at US Hwy. 19 and SR 50 to the Gulf of Mexico. During winter, gray snapper are caught in the holes and spring heads. Boats can be launched from Rogers Park, off CR 595. This beautiful river flows 85 miles from Polk County to the Gulf of Mexico. Access and navigation is good with ramps and limited shore access at Silver Lake Recreational Area located north of Trilby, off US Hwy. 98. The Withlacoochee River Canoe Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide System of Greenways and Trails. The river flows out of the Green Swamp in west central Florida. The trail twists and bends through the sandhill area as it moves northwest. Hardwood forests with an understory of cabbage palm and saw palmetto border the river. Further downstream the hills disappear as you paddle through lush swampland with cypress, gum and maple adorned with air plants. The overhanging limbs form a lacy canopy. Much of the trail flows through the Withlacoochee State Forest, but there are scattered residential areas along the river. The variety of habitats offers opportunities for nature study. Wildlife is abundant along the river. Deer, turkey, otter and alligator are common. Wood duck, wood stork, white ibis and anhinga can also be seen along the trail. The takeout is at the bridge on US 41 before Lake Rousseau. Camping is available at Silver Lake Recreation Area. Spring Hill sits right on top of some of Florida's premier golf courses, with over 20 of them within driving distance from Spring Hill. The famous World Woods facility is just a few miles away, with three other well known world class courses - Southern Woods, Sugarmill Woods and our favorite course "The Dunes" nearby. World Woods Since its inception there has been little argument that the two courses represent the finest level of golf in the state and are among the finest public access courses in the country. The two courses, Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks, were designed and built by Tom Fazio and showcase some of his best work and some of his most typical. (It must be noted that to the majority of the paying public, Fazio’s “typical” work is among the most desirable in the country.) The Pine Barrens is a visually dramatic course with moments of terrific strategic merit, surpassing in grandeur nearly every other course in Florida. Rolling Oaks is a prototype for pretty, mainstream American courses and is far less daring than its sister. Golf Magazine - "U.S.A.'s Top 100 You Can Play" Pine Barrens - Ranked #10 Rolling Oaks - Ranked #46 Golf Week - America's Best Modern Courses Pine Barrens - Ranked #11 Rolling Oaks - Ranked #83 Golf & Travel Magazine - "Best Daily Fee Course in the U.S.A" Pine Barrens- #1 Rolling Oaks- #10 Golf Digest - "Best New Courses in U.S.A." Pine Barrens- #1 Rolling Oaks- #8 Southern Woods Designed by Hale Irwin & Dick Phelps in 1992, this course was nominated by "Golf Digest" as the Best New Private Course in the U.S. for 1993. Flat with wide fairways, thick rough and large tricky greens, the signature hole is #7, a 521-yard, par 5, with a picturesque waterfall cascading just to the left of the green and a pond that comes into play behind the green. The surrounding community is one of the best in the Nature Coast region. Ample green belts and deed restricted living keep a picturesque neighborhood. This course in approximately 22 miles from Spring Hill. The Dunes The Dunes Golfers Club is situated on US 19 just minutes from Spring Hill. This exceptionally maintained, Arthur Hills - designed, 7,140 yards, par 72 course has been ranked "Best Golf Course in Florida" and a "Top 100 Public Golf Course" in the U.S by Golf Digest. Having this gorgeous course so close simply makes investing in Hernando County a must. The Suncoast Trail is officially designated as part of Florida’s Statewide Greenways and Trails System. Opened in 2001, this non-motorized paved trail was developed as part of the Suncoast Parkway. Paralleling the parkway, the trail begins in northern Hillsborough County and proceeds north through Pasco and Hernando counties, traversing suburban, agricultural and natural areas. Throughout the trail, rest/interpretive areas illustrate historical significance, emphasize transitions between ecological communities and identify native species. Among the trail’s highlights is the segment adjacent to the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. This section crosses various rivers and creeks, including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee, and provides views of beautiful natural communities. The Suncoast Trail will eventually serve as a key regional connector, linking to other projects such as the Good Neighbor Trail, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and the Pinellas Trail. Major Activities: Walking, Biking, Hiking, Inline Skating, Wheelchair Trail Length/Surface: 41.3 miles/non-motorized paved trail Fee: None Counties: Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando Nearby Towns: Tampa, New Port Richey, Land O' Lakes, Brooksville Notes: There are points of access and rest areas throughout the length of the trail. Listed below and indicated on the map are the 7 major trailheads that are currently open. Future trailheads are planned for Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park and other locations.