Discover Ridge Manor

When planning a trip to Ridge Manor, you can explore several different points of interest: Ridge Manor Community Park, located in the heart of town; hiking trails; a paved multi-use trail; Cypress Lake Preserve; and local historical connections.

Parks and trails

Ridge Manor Community Park is located in the heart of Ridge Manor and covers 41 acres. Cypress Lake Preserve covers 324 acres and has approximately 600 feet of shoreline on Lake Townsen. It also has trails for walking and hiking. At 324 acres, Cypress Lake Preserve is considerably larger in area than the Community Park. The preserve also offers a connection to the shoreline of Lake Townsen, along with walking and hiking trails; the Community Park is located in the heart of town. If you would like to consider trails and waterfront scenery when planning your trip, the preserve offers specific features to explore.

River Trail/Croom is a 7-mile linear hiking trail. Its access point is immediately east of the picnic shelter and restrooms at the Ridge Manor Trailhead of the Withlacoochee State Trail. River Trail can be accessed from the Withlacoochee State Trail parking lot at the intersection of SR 50 and Croom Rital Road. It follows the Withlacoochee River to Crooked River Campground at Silver Lake Recreation Complex. Since access details can change with trail conditions, check the current situation before your visit.

The Withlacoochee State Trail at Ridge Manor Trailhead is a 46-mile paved multi-use trail. The two trails differ in length and type: River Trail/Croom is the 7-mile linear hiking route, while the Withlacoochee State Trail is the 46-mile paved multi-use trail. This comparison can help you choose between the routes based on their stated uses.

Silver Lake and historical connections

Nearby, Silver Lake Recreation Complex has a day-use picnic area, a pavilion, and a boat ramp. It also has three separate overnight campgrounds: Silver Lake Campground, Cypress Glen Campground, and Crooked River Campground. Crooked River Campground offers tent camping on 26 non-electric sites, as well as a launch site for canoes and kayaks.

Historical topics also range from early town development to a designated off-highway vehicle area nearby. As part of J. Earl Miller’s original development of Ridge Manor, a golf course opened in 1956. By the late 1950s, Ridge Manor had an 18-hole golf course. The course clubhouse opened in March 1959 and quickly became a social hub; a 2026 article describes the clubhouse as having been demolished. Nearby, Croom Motorcycle Area was designated public off-highway vehicle land in 1973. Construction of the Fort King Road overland route began in 1825.

Local dining

Southern Harmony Cafe in Ridge Manor serves homemade Southern dishes that combine flavors from Louisiana and Florida. Check the cafe’s status before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Brooksville, Timber Pines, Hernando Beach, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee.

For the broader travel overview: Hernando.