The Osprey Unit straddles I-4 between C.R. 557 and U.S. 27. Hilochee is within the Green Swamp, a critical hydrologic resource, encompassing the headwaters of the Withlacoochee, Little Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha, Hillsborough and Peace rivers and serving as a major recharge area for the Floridan aquifer. This 6,093 -acre property is open for wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and hunting. Hiking, biking and horseback riding is best on non-hunting days in the fall.
THINGS TO SEE Hilochee has offers excellent opportunities to view butterflies whose numbers peak in the fall. The best time to observe butterflies is between around 10:30 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon. You can also see a variety of birds including anhinga, great blue heron, great egret, little blue heron, green heron, wood stork, bald eagle and (of course) osprey. Early morning visitors will hear a choir of frogs.
The Unit is open 8:00am to sunset, 365 days a year. However, visitors should be aware of seasonal hunting and must abide by all area regulations while in the area. Check the FWC Website for Seasonal Hunt Dates.
Placed with permission: FWC Permit # GEO-53608
HIKE: 2.2 miles round trip
This is a Letterbox Hybrid cache. For anyone not familiar with Letterboxing, there is a log in the cache for you to sign and stamp (with your stamp), then you stamp your own log or paper (with stamp that is in the cache). If you do not have your own stamp, then stickers or hand drawn artwork are acceptable or if you do not have your own stamp, you can just sign the log. DO NOT TAKE THE STAMP WITH YOU; IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!!!
This geocache is a part of the Trek Ten Trails 2022-2023 program. Participation in that program, while a lot of fun, is not required to log this cache.
New validation game cards that participants stamp are available at various locations and are listed on the Friends of the Parks website and at OUTPOST 27 CACHE. Trek Ten Trails 2022-2023 program maps, game cards, and other information about each of the featured nature trails may be downloaded from the Friends of the Parks website. Check out our Profile for more details.