Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

About Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

The centre on the banks of the legendary Suwannee River pays homage to the American composer Stephen Foster, who wrote the songs that made the river famous. Foster's music can be heard every day at the park's 97 carillon, and the museum displays exhibits of some of his most famous songs. In the handicraft square, visitors can visit the souvenir shop and view stained glass and a variety of other exhibits. Hiking, biking, canoeing and wildlife watching are popular activities, as are fishing, kayaking, rafting, hiking and other outdoor activities.

For one night, visitors can stay in fully equipped tents and cabins, and miles of hiking trails wind through some of the most scenic areas of North Florida. The park is the venue for the Florida Folk Festival from July to September, June to October, every first Saturday of the month. Other special events include the annual Stephen Foster Folk Music Festival, a music festival featuring live music, dance, food, crafts and entertainment.

The American composer Stephen Foster proposed in 1931 that Florida should set a monument to his text that made the Suwannee River famous worldwide. The Florida Federation of Music Clubs worked with the citizens of White Springs to obtain a land donation, which was then submitted to the state. In 1950, the Stephen Foster Memorial Commission was established to manage the development of the park. American Music Festival at the White Springs Hotel on US 41 North and the annual Folk Music Festival.

In 1979, the monument became part of the Florida Park Service and is now called Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, a National Historic Landmark. The Florida Folk Festival was established in 1983 to highlight the state's cultural history and traditions, and 2002 marked the 50th anniversary.

White SpringsThe Suwannee River originates in southeastern Georgia, but its southwesterly course, about 250 miles, is swamped by the Gulf of Mexico. East of White Springs, the limestone deposits of the river and the elevation difference make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Florida.

White Sulphur Springs, located on the south bank of the Suwannee River, east of White Springs State Park, can be dated back at least to the 17th century. Native Americans considered sulphur springs sacred ground because of their healing power. White European settlers settled a significant population in the area only after the Civil War.

At the end of the 19th century, the springs were promoted as a spa, with sulphurous water promoting the cure of almost every disease. In 1906, the spring was surrounded by a high concrete wall that shielded the river, and until 1906 there was a side well and a changing room, as well as an indoor and outdoor pool and a bathroom.

Henry Ford and Teddy Roosevelt were among the resort's many famous visitors, and even in the 1950s, the Spring House still drew visitors. Today, the original concrete wall and gate still exist, and White Springs preserves its cultural heritage as a tourist destination.

Each of the five cabins along the river can accommodate a maximum of 6 people and is fully equipped with bed linen and kitchen utensils. Each spacious two-room cabin has its own privacy screen - in a veranda kitchenette with a large stove and hotplates, and a private bathroom.

Pets are not allowed in the cabins or in the cabin area and one cabin is wheelchair accessible. No minimum or maximum stay is required, but a minimum of maximum 6 persons per cabin and up to 6 persons per day.

Pets are also welcome at Stephen Foster Camping and the newly renovated campsites offer a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, picnicking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and more. Each campsite in Stephen Foster State Park has a shaded campground with picnic area, picnic table and shady trees.

Each pitch has a maximum capacity of 4,000 square metres of tent pitches and three pitches have the remaining 30 AMP sockets. Each site with a large rig can be moved to one of the fourteen sites for up to four days for $1,500 per day for campsite operations.

The landfill is located at the entrance of each campsite and the campsites have a minimum of 1,000 square metres of pitch and a maximum of 2,500 square metres of pitch per pitch.

Due to the water level, the Suwannee can only be reached by canoe for about six months of the year.

In spring, wild azaleas populate the river, and in summer it is full of wild azaleas for a few weeks.

Alligators and turtles are seen in their natural habitat on the banks of the Suwannee River and in the creek bed. In times of low water flow, you can enjoy the beautiful view of alligators, turtles and other wildlife on this beautiful river.

Canoeing is also a great way to go fishing, as well as canoeing along the Suwannee River and its tributaries.

Canoe rental is available on site, but a fishing license is required, and freshwater fish are plentiful, especially if you paddle on the river. Large mouthfeets of the black-mouthed winged bass, known as spotted perches in this area, swim and breed in the water all year round.

Each campsite in the park has a picnic table and tables can be set up on the beach, in a shady tree or on a lawn near the entrance to the campsite. Picnic tables can also be set up - at any of the other campsites as well as on the picnic area.

From the Suwannee River, visitors can see limestone outcrops and rock formations, and the Carter Camp Trail is bounded by Lake Okeechobee Trail, Pinellas River Trail and other trails in the park.

Hiking maps are available in the communities, and proof of negative gear tests is required for excursions. Part of the trail is known as the Florida Scenic Trail, which runs about 100 miles through central and northern Florida. White-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, elks and other wild animals are companions on the forest paths.

From the road, the path winds through the beautiful landscape of the Suwannee River Valley. It's a way to meet and challenge different driving skills for the whole family, and it's fun.

The Suwannee Bicycle Association organizes the Fat Tire Festival in White Springs every fall weekend. There are a variety of trails and challenges along the trail, where 33 miles of trail will take riders to the City of White Springs, home to the town hall, park and community center.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but must always be kept on a lead and not left unattended for more than an hour. Dogs are not allowed in buildings or cabins and may not be brought to special events.
Pet tents are available at all campsites, but if you plan to bring your pet to a special event, please call the park to confirm admission for the pet.

All pets must be kept under the physical control of a person, on a leash or otherwise, and Florida law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies. The laundry must not exceed 1.50 m and must be held in the hand or by hand at least 30 minutes before entering the park.

All pets must be well behaved and must not be kept on a leash for more than 30 minutes. All pets may be accommodated in the park for a maximum of two hours per day, seven days a week.

Pet owners are obliged to collect their animals and dispose of their droppings properly in bins. Pets considered "annoying" may not be in the park, such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and other animals.

The Stephen F. Foster Folk Culture Center State Park is located off US 41 in White Springs, and the entrance to the park is on the left. To get to White Springs, take Exit US41 at the intersection of US-41 and State Route 41, the State Park exit is on the left and keep right of the parking lot and freeway.