Hernando County is the geographic center of Florida according to World Atlas USA and the United States Geological Survey. Located approximately 45 miles north of downtown Tampa, 50 miles west of Orlando, 100 miles south of the Ocala/Gainesville areas.
From these perspectives, one can see that Hernando County is strategically located in the middle of three major growth areas in the State of Florida.
With an average January temperature of 60 degrees, year-round outdoor recreation is the mantra in Hernando County. Hunting, fishing, camping, paddling, birding, and hiking are just a few of the many recreational opportunities enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Championship golf courses, paved or wilderness bicycle trails, and the Croom Motorcycle Recreation Area attract visitors from far beyond the County borders.
Hernando County covers approximately 477 sq. miles including the cities of Brooksville and Weeki Wachee. Unincorporated areas include Spring Hill, Ridge Manor, Ridge Manor West, Bayport, Aripeka, Lake Lindsey and Hernando Beach. The county stretches 37 miles from East to West and 18 miles from North to South. It is bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and on the north by the Chassahowitzka Swamp and the Withlacoochee State Forest.
As part of the Nature Coast, vast tracts of public land have been preserved in Hernando County. These include the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Chinsegut Hill National Wildlife Refuge, Withlacoochee State Forest, Weeki Wachee Preserve, and the PK Ranch. Recreation also abounds on the Withlacoochee and Weeki Wachee Rivers as well as at the Silver Lake Recreation Area, and the first-magnitude Weeki Wachee Springs. The latter were recently purchased by the State of Florida.
