Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Florida

 

We visited Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

December 28 & 29, 2013

 

We decided to visit the park during this time to enjoy the

Festival of Lights event.

 

Enjoy our review of the park... 

 

The park is located in north Florida in the town of White Springs.

It is close to the intersection of I-75 & I-10 which makes it very accessible.

 

You can click on any of the pictures for larger views.

From www.FloridaStateParks.org
 

The park is home to the Stephen Foster Museum 

 

Inside the museum there are numerous dioramas depicting scenes from a number of his popular songs along with other exhibits.

I did not take photos of them, you have to have a reason to visit..  :)

 

Christmas tree inside museum. 

  

In addition to the museum there is a carillon that plays his songs

throughout the day for your enjoyment.

 

At the base of the carillon, there is a beautiful marble room that has

lots of exhibits and descriptions about how the carillon works

  

The park is situated along the Suwannee River or Ribber as the name of the song 

 

 Views of the river 

 

 

 

 Here is proof that the river does flood sometimes.

You can enter the park from the river too

 

There is a awesome gazebo that is on the river bank that

I would imagine that you can reserve for weddings  

 

Bring you own canoe or you can rent them in the park

 

 

or bring your horse, mountain bikes, or walking stick to explore miles of trails.

Unfortunately, we did not have time to explore them during this trip.

 

You can bring your picnic and the children just for the day. 

 or explore the quaint village 

 Country Store 

 Blacksmith

 Other shops

 

 

The following pictures are a small sampling of the light displays that make up the

 

Festival of Lights!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here a video that you can hear the carillon

 

 

 They serve free hot chocolate and popcorn. 

There is a fire and a station that you can buy a s'more kit.

It was a great fun time for everyone. 

  

Okay, Okay, I hear you... 

 

Here is the campground information....

  

Campground Map

 

From www.ReserveAmerica.com
 

 The campground is close to everything in the park.

All of the sites have a level and packed gravel parking pads,

 my understanding they are all sites are handicap accessible.

 

Majority of the sites are back-in and private. 

A couple of the sites towards the front are wide open to the road.

 

 Even the bathhouse are very decorative.

They were clean and in good condition.

 A nice playground is located in the front entrance of the campground.

  

 

All of the sites have fire rings and separate grills.

 

Here are some of the sites in the park.

 

Site #25

 Site #26 

 Site #34 (Pull Through)

 Site #35

 Site #36 (Pull Through)

 My site #39

 Site #41

Additionally, they have some very nice cabins for rent.

 What a better way to spend a weekend...

Enjoying a nice steak dinner.

  

Remember to Have a Nice Time Camping....

 

Please spend some time reviewing my other campground reviews.

 

Thank You!!

 

 



Paynes Prairie State Preserve

We visited Paynes Prairie State Preserve on December 27 & 28, 2013

It is located between Ocala and Gainesville Florida

 

Main Entrance to Park

 

Here is a map of the park

From FloridaStateParks.org

 The following are some pictures from the main road in the park.

 

Very nice and peaceful for walking

 

or bike rides. 

Additionally, there are numerous of trails available for hikes, mountain biking and horse riding.

 

Be on the look out for wildlife

This white tail deer was standing right on the edge of the road.

The Rangers told us that there are wild bisons and horses located on the north side of the park.

 

There is a very nice visitors center located at the end of the park road.

Inside the center are a number of displays and helpful Rangers.

 

It is a short walk from the parking lot to the Center via a concrete path.

 

Right before the start of the metal railing, look for a small blue 4x4 post on the left side of the path.

When you find it, turn your back to the post and look up at the top of the pine trees to see a Bald Eagles nest.

While we were looking at the nest, two eagles flew in with food for their chicks.

I did not have my camera handy, oh well..  :(

 

From the Visitors center, there is a path leading to a fifty foot high observation tower.

 

Views from the top

 

 

There are numerous information plaques throughout the park

(click to read)

 

 

Also, they having a

"Dial and Discover" system that allows you to hear about different items utilizing your cellphone.

 

The park is located on Lake Wauberg

Including a small boat ramp and

boardwalk

view of lake from boardwalk

We did see people fishing from the boardwalk.

 

There are a couple of picnic areas located by the lake too.

 

and a decent playground.

There is a nice path from the playground to the campground.

 

Okay, I know that you visited this site was to see information about the campground!!

 

Great name for a camping area, Puc Puggy Campground, do you agree?

 

Map of Campground

From ReserveAmerica.com

 

The campground has two bathhouse that were clean and in good condition.

(Warning: they are not heated)

 

Most of the sites were very private and lots of trees.

The sites appear to be very easy access for backing into them.

They have fire rings with a grill.  Note: our site did not have a normal grill and I did not see any on other sites.

Additionally, there are numerous tent sites located all in one area.

 

Campground road.

 

Our site, Site #42

The following are some other sites in the park.

Pretty much all of the sites were about the same.

 

Site #18

 

Site #43

 

Site #47

 

We really enjoyed our stay in Paynes Praire State Preserve.

 

One last picture of a unknown plant/tree

 

I hope you enjoyed my write-up.

 

Please keep checking back as I add more parks.

 

Have fun camping and enjoying nature....

 

Please check the link on the right for other State Park reviews.