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Fort Cooper State Park, Inverness, FL

Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & OutdoorsHistory BuffOutdoor AdventureLocal Gem

Fort Cooper State Park

Hike shady trails past Seminole history kiosks, fish Lake Holathlikaha and watch bats fly at sunset in a quiet park south of Inverness.

3100 S. Old Floral City Road, Inverness, FL 34450 · Inverness, FL

About Fort Cooper State Park

Fort Cooper State Park protects about 700 acres of forest and sandhill two miles south of Inverness, at the site of a fort from the Second Seminole War. Nearly 5 miles of self-guided trails on the Great Florida Birding Trail wind through the woods, and the Seminole Heritage Trail's four kiosks tell the story of the Seminole people and the fort. Lake Holathlikaha is good for fishing and birdwatching, and bats come out over it at sunset. A paved path links to the Withlacoochee State Trail for bike rides. Entry is $3 per vehicle, paid at an honor box with exact change.

  • #state park
  • #hiking
  • #birding
  • #seminole history
  • #lake

What's around here?

The closest stops to Fort Cooper State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Florida National Cemetery

    Check prices

    Walk the Memorial Pathway of veterans' monuments in a 513-acre national cemetery set in the Withlacoochee State Forest.

    15 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

    Under $25

    Walk the pine flatwoods where the Second Seminole War began in 1835, see the visitor center museum, or come in January for the battle reenactment.

    15 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Museums

    Brooksville Railroad Depot Museum

    Under $25

    Railroad and local history museum in an 1885 depot in Brooksville, Florida.

    19 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Silver Springs State Park

    Under $25

    Ride a glass-bottom boat over clear artesian springs, then paddle the Silver River or walk the trails of this 5,000-acre park.

    31 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Hillsborough River State Park

    Under $25

    Walk the river trails to see Class II rapids, rare in Florida, then paddle the Hillsborough River or tour a rebuilt Seminole War fort near Tampa.

    46 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Hollis Garden

    Check prices

    A formal garden in Lakeland with patterned flower beds, public art, and fountains, inside Lake Mirror Park.

    57 mi awayMore like this