STEPHEN FOSTER STATE PARKStephen Foster State Park honors the man who wrote "Way Down Upon The Suwannee River". The full name of this park is Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. That's a mouthful, so many of us shorten it for convenience. This writeup is from the home page created by the Florida State Park Service. I can't improve on it, so here it is. Situated on the banks of the legendary Suwannee River, this center honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster, who wrote "Old Folks at Home," the song that made the river famous.
The museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs and his music can be heard emanating from the park's 97-bell carillon throughout the day.
In Craft Square, visitors can watch demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing, stain glass making, and other crafts, or visit the gift shop. Hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are popular activities. Miles of trails wind through some of the most scenic areas of North Florida. For overnight stays, visitors can camp in the full-facility campground or stay in a cabin. Every Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May), the park hosts the Florida Folk Festival. Other special events include concerts, weekend retreats, a monthly coffeehouse, a regional quilt show, and an antique tractor show. For general information about Stephen Foster State Park, please call 386-397-2733. Campsite reservations can be made through ReserveAmerica.com. HOURS OF OPERATION Museum, Tower and Gift Shop are open from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. daily. Park is open 8:00 AM to sunset 365 days a year. PARK FEES Admission Fee: $5.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Camping Fee: $20.00 per night, plus tax. Includes water and electricity. Cabin Fee: $100.00 per night. Two bedroom, one bathroom cabin with kitchen and porch. Organized Youth and Adult Group Camping: $1.00 per youth. $5.00 per adult/chaperon. Nelly Bly's Kitchen: $60.00 per day. Auditorium $60.00 per day. Food Shelter: $30.00 per day. NEARBY TOWNS AND PLACES Jasper Florida, Jennings Florida, Lake City Florida,Suwannee River, White Springs Florida More more information about these places, see Florida Towns. HOW TO FIND STEPHEN FOSTER STATE PARK The park is 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. View Larger Map Return From Stephen Foster State Park |
