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 the Craft Square, visitors can watch demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing, stained 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.
Directions:
The Stephen Foster Center is located on US Hwy 41 in White Springs.
From I-75 take exit 439 onto Hwy 136 East. Go 3 miles, turn left on US 41.
Park entrance on left.
From I-10 take exit 301 onto US Hwy 41 North to White Springs. Park entrance is 9 miles on the left.
Distance & Travel Time from Major Cities:
(all estimated according to MapQuest)
Atlanta, GA: 275.71 miles, 4 hours 18 minutes
Fort Lauderdale, FL: 373.24 miles, 5 hours 36 minutes
Fort Myers, FL: 308.25 miles, 4 hours 43 minutes
Gainesville, FL: 68.67 miles, 1 hour 11 minutes
Jacksonville, FL: 74.40 miles, 1 hour 18 minutes
Lake City, FL: 15.73 miles, 0 hours 26 minutes
Miami, FL: 395.92 miles, 5 hours 58 minutes
Ocala, FL: 97.23 miles, 1 hour 34 minutes
Orlando, FL: 172.37 miles, 2 hours 39 minutes
Panama City, FL: 218.35 miles, 3 hours 28 minutes
Pensacola, FL: 293.93 miles, 4 hours 25 minutes
Savannah, GA: 210.75 miles, 3 hours 19 minutes
St. Augustine, FL: 114.20 miles, 1 hour 57 minutes
Tampa, FL: 190.25 miles, 2 hours 56 minutes
Tallahassee, FL: 100.04 miles, 1 hours 41 minutes
West Palm Beach, FL: 331.50 miles, 4 hours 59 minutes
For more information please call the Ranger Station at 386-397-4331.
For more information on this and other state parks visit the Florida State Parks website:
Stephen Foster Museum has antique pianos, paintings,
and dioramas representing Foster's work.
Carillon Tower: A 200 ft. bell tower which plays music 4 times a day at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm
Craft Square & Gift Shop: See artists demonstrate their crafts in studios located around the Gift Shop. The Cousin Thelma Boltin Craft & Gift Shop specializes in artwork from Florida Artists, Stephen Foster music, as well as items relating to Florida
Campground: 45 sites all with water & electric hookups, available for tents or RVs
Foster’s Hammock Loop Trail is an 8-mile single track mountain biking and hiking trial. Catfish Hole, the Suwannee River Overlook, “Beavor Crossing” and other unique areas along this scenic trail provide bikers with an exclusive adventure throughout the Upper Suwannee River Valley’s diverse topography. Bikers will traverses some of the most beautiful natural features including high river bluffs and limestone outcroppings, fun elevations throughout the floodplain swamp forest, and many other beautiful and scenic natural communities within the 800 acre park.
**Both on-road and off-road trails wind through a beautiful countryside in the Suwannee River Valley. Trails are available to meet or challenge a range of riding skills levels for the entire family. The Suwannee Bicycle Association hosts a Fat-Tire Festival in White Springs in the autumn and weekend rides throughout the year. The town of White Springs has accommodated bicyclists with marked riding lanes through town along Highway 41. A variety of trail challenges is an easy ride away at Big Shoals Public Lands where 33 miles of trails take riders through thirteen natural communities.
**New** Picnic Pavilion
Stephen Foster’s new 10 Table Picnic Pavilion with beautiful pine ceilings. The perfect location for your family reunion, birthday party, wedding or reception, and much more! Conveniently located near the playground, craft square and gift shop, river gazebo and vacation cabins. $75.00 per day/plus tax.
**New** Hiking/Nature Trail
Foster’s Hammock Loop Trail is an 8-mile single track mountain biking and hiking trial. Catfish Hole, the Suwannee River Overlook, “Beavor Crossing” and other unique areas along this scenic trail provide bikers with an exclusive adventure throughout the Upper Suwannee River Valley’s diverse topography. Bikers will traverses some of the most beautiful natural features including high river bluffs and limestone outcroppings, fun elevations throughout the floodplain swamp forest, and many other beautiful and scenic natural communities within the 800 acre park.
**Carter Camp Trail is a multi-use trail for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. The four-mile trail winds through piney flatwoods and along a river flood plain hammock. Alongside the Suwannee River visitors can see limestone outcroppings and rock formations. Gopher tortoise, box turtles, alligators, white-tailed deer, wood ducks and many bird species are companions along the forested trail. A portion of the trail is designated as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, which travels approximately 100 miles through north central Florida. Maps of trails are available in the local community. Proof of a negative Coggins test is required for horseback riding.
