Green Swamp West Unit Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Green Swamp West Unit Wildlife Management Area is located in Central Florida and is a protected area that covers over 34,000 acres of land.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The area is known for its diverse plant and animal life, including the Florida black bear and the Eastern indigo snake.
Some specific points of interest to see in the area include the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve, which features over 60 miles of hiking trails, the Withlacoochee River, which is a popular spot for fishing and kayaking, and the Gator Hole, which is a natural spring that attracts a variety of wildlife.
Interesting facts about the area include that it is one of the largest intact wetlands in Central Florida and has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. The area is also home to a variety of endangered and threatened species, including the Florida panther and the sandhill crane.
The best time of year to visit Green Swamp West Unit Wildlife Management Area is during the cooler months of the year, from November to April, when the weather is mild and there are fewer mosquitoes and other insects. Visitors should also be aware that hunting is allowed in the area during certain times of the year, so it is important to check the hunting schedule before planning a visit.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Colt Creek State Park
Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area
Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Withlacoochee State Forest
Richloam Wildlife Management Area