Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
About Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
A NOTE FROM THE MANAGER
Michelle Waterman
It's spring time again! Our parks are a great place to visit all the time but especially during Spring Break! Relax and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather. There is always something to do here at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park; with over 800 acres you can hike, bike, horseback ride, camp, canoe, shop or take a step back in time.
Come visit the beautiful antebellum mansion that is the Stephen Foster Museum. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and filled with a wide variety of interpretive exhibits, collections and moving diorama's depicting many of Stephen Foster's songs. Something you can't miss is the World's Largest Tubular Bells which resonate from the 200ft tall Carillon Tower. The Carillon plays daily concerts of Stephen Foster's music at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Guided tours of the museum and tower are offered on weekends and by reservation.
At Cousin Thelma Boltin's Gift Shop & Craft Square you can shop a vast selection of "one of a kind" crafts made by Florida artists. Enjoy everything from baskets, jams, metal work and textiles to books, children's items and Stephen Foster memorabilia. In the Craft Square you can take a variety of workshops and classes, learn everything from Florida traditions to arts and crafts. We now have bicycles for rent!
We have miles of trails, including the Florida Trail that you can hike, bike or ride. We even have a new 8 mile single track mountain bike and/or hiking trail. It's an exciting and family friendly trail that explores some of the most beautiful natural features of the park including high bluffs, fun elevations throughout the floodplain swamp and all sorts of unique landscapes. Be sure to also enjoy the 10 miles of double track trail as well and don't miss the river overlook or catfish hole! You can download a trail map on our Activities page.
Please remember to exercise caution while visiting the park and spending time in any outdoor setting. Ticks are prevalent in many outdoor environments; including State Parks, especially during the summer season. We strongly encourage you to use repellant while visiting our park for your safety. Typical tick borne diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease and the more common, Ehrichliosis. Repellant is sold in the Stephen Foster State Park Gift Shop. According to the Florida Dept. of Health, Most tick bites do not result in illness; therefore treatment is not recommended unless a person becomes ill.
We also have a new picnic pavilion and playground thanks to the Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization; located behind the craft square and gift shop. Park staff and volunteers have completed construction of this beautiful new picnic facility so we invite you to bring your family to come out and enjoy a picnic at the park, or plan your next family reunion there photos of this new facility can be seen on the parks photo album. Reservations for the Picnic Pavilion can be made by contacting the park's Ranger Station at 386-397-2733.
If you are interested in volunteering at the park and becoming part of the Stephen Foster Family, we have numerous different volunteer needs through the park including: Campground Hosts, Park maintenance, Craft Square demonstrators and gift shop sales, Museum Docents (assistants), mechanics, skilled craftspeople, musicians, interpreters, etc. If you would like more information about the fun volunteer opportunities, contact the park at (386) 397-2733.
We will see you soon!
DESIGNATIONS
GETTING HERE
Located on U.S. 41 in White Springs. From I-75 to S.R. 136 (Milepost Exit 439 - Old Exit 84), travel east on S.R. 136 for 3 miles. Turn left on U.S. 41. Park entrance is on the left. From I-10 to U.S. 41 North (Milepost Exit 301 - Old Exit 43), travel 9 miles to White Springs. Park entrance is on the left.
| PHYSICAL ADDRESS | MAILING ADDRESS |
| 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive | P.O. Box G |
| White Springs, FL 32096 | White Springs, FL 32096 |
| LAT/LONG COORIDINATES | |
| 30° 19' 50.65" N | 82° 45' 40.89" W |
GET INVOLVED
- For forms, information and benefits of volunteering visit Get Involved.
- Stephen Foster Citizen Support Organization
- P.O. Box 666
White Springs, Florida 32096
