Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
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From history to nature and outdoor recreation, Bulow Plantation Historic State Park offers something for everyone, making it an ideal Florida travel destination. Located in Flagler Beach of East Florida, this state park is home to the ruins of an antebellum plantation and sugar mill which are now listed as a National Historic Site. RV camping is available nearby, so you can come to stay a few days and enjoy outdoor activities here such as hiking, biking, canoeing, fishing and wildlife viewing. Read on to learn more about what to see and do here.
Photo credit Donna Murnane on floridastateparks.org
Tour the Impressive Ruins
In 1835, U.S. military troops arrived in the Florida frontier to enforce a treaty requiring the Seminole people to relinquish their lands and move westward. In a show of resistance, the Seminoles attacked and burned several plantations where the troops were posted. Among these plantations was East Florida’s largest, the Bulow Plantation, which was looted and burned in January of 1836.
While visiting or RV camping at this historic state park, you can step back into history with a self-guided tour of the charred walls and crumbling foundation of the sugar mill, spring house, mansion, slave cabins, and water wells. As you walk around the moss-covered coquina rock ruins, you’ll find various interpretive signs that provide information and history about each section.
Near the ruin is an outdoor museum where you can view original artifacts and written accounts detailing the plantation’s day-to-day doings and events.
Hiking, Biking, and Wildlife Viewing
Beginning at the parking lot on Plantation Road, the easy 6.8-mile Bulow Woods Trail takes hikers and bikers down a well-maintained path beneath the canopy of huge, shady oak trees. The trail is a good area to spot a variety of birds and other wildlife such as white-tailed deer, raccoons, and the occasional snake.
Paddling and Boating
Rent a canoe and paddle down the Bulow Creek, a designated State Canoe Trail, where you can explore the scenic coastal marsh and observe Florida manatees, swallow-tailed kites, herons, ospreys, and bald eagles. You can rent a canoe at the park office for the day or by the hour. There is also a boat ramp nearby if you’ve brought your own small powerboat and prefer to use it.
Fishing
Bulow Creek is known to be a good fishing area. Cast your line in from the boat or dock for the chance to catch bass, snook, trout, tarpon, and snapper. Before fishing here, check with the park office to learn about any fishing regulations that are required.
Amenities, Hours and Fees
Amenities at the state park include a screened pavilion that overlooks a picturesque setting of Bulow Creek. There are grills here and six picnic tables that can accommodate large groups of approximately 48 people. Restroom facilities are located at both the picnic pavilion and the museum.
Operating hours for this state park are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm between Monday and Thursday. Note that the park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Photo credit floridastateparks.org
Admission Fees include:
- $4 per vehicle (Limited to 8 people per vehicle)
- $2 per pedestrian, cyclist, or extra vehicle passenger
- $2 per holder of an Annual Individual Entrance Pass
Rental Fees
- The picnic pavilion can be reserved and rented for $30 per day (plus tax).
- Canoes can be rented for $3.00/hr or $15/day.
Camping
There is no camping at the historic state park but there is RV camping nearby at Tomoka State Park and Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach. Both the Bulow Plantation Historic State Park and the nearby state parks that offer camping are open year-round, so you can plan your vacation here at any time. For more information, visit the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park page on Florida State Parks or call 386.517.2084.
