Green Swamp Run

The Green Swamp Run threads backroads through the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve east of Dade City, a 110,000-acre basin spanning Pasco, Lake, Polk and Sumter counties and the headwaters of four rivers, including the Withlacoochee. A documented loop mapped by Motorcycle Roads as the Green Swamp Tour runs about 77 miles, roughly two hours in the saddle, stringing together Highway 50, Bay Lake Road, Green Pond Road, Rockridge Road and Old Dade City Road. Expect twisties and light traffic, but also patched pavement and loose tar on some curves. The route crosses sections of Withlacoochee State Forest, Florida's third-largest state forest, broken into scattered tracts including Richloam. Mascotte and Zephyrhills bookend a typical run, with Dade City the natural staging point; fuel up before you start, since gas and food are thin out here. Riding it, start to finish: 1. Stage out of Dade City and fuel up before heading out — gas and food are thin on this route. 2. Head southeast on Highway 50 into the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve. 3. String together Bay Lake Road, Green Pond Road, Rockridge Road, and Old Dade City Road through 77 miles of backroad twisties. 4. Expect light traffic, patched pavement, and loose tar on some curves as you cross Withlacoochee State Forest. 5. Pass through Mascotte and Zephyrhills as natural bookends of the route.