Manager's Message
Manny Perez, Park Manager
There’s always something happening 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. We have miles of trails, including the Florida Trail that you can hike, bike or ride. Please remember to be prepared when out and about this time of year. If you are hiking along the Florida Trail, remember to keep hydrated and wear appropriate footwear.
We have tons of wonderful family-friendly events throughout the year. 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 dioramas depicting many of Stephen Foster’s songs. Something you can’t miss is the World’s Largest Tubular Bell System, which resonates from the 200-foot tall Carillon Tower.
The Carillon plays daily concerts of Stephen Foster’s music at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 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, learning everything from Florida traditions to arts and crafts! You can hear the blacksmith working at the forge, fiddle players walking to and fro, and so many other sights and sounds not to be missed at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. There is always something happening here!
We have a wonderful picnic pavilion and playground located behind the craft square and gift shop, and we invite you to bring your family to enjoy a picnic at the park or hold your next family reunion. Photos of this facility can be seen on the park's photo album. Reservations for the picnic pavilion can be made by contacting the park at 386-397-2733.
We are perfect for overnight or day trips and centrally located to quite a few of Florida’s awe-inspiring state parks, including Big Shoals State Park, Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, Suwannee River State Park, Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, Madison Blue Spring State Park, Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, Ichetucknee Springs State Park and O’Leno State Park just to name just a few!
If you enjoy learning about the American composer Stephen Foster you might like to visit Stephen C. Foster State Park in Georgia to experience the breathtaking scenery and wildlife of the Okefenokee Swamp.