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  • Stephen Foster State Park, FL

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    Here is a real jewel of the Florida parks system. Located on the banks of the Suwannee River in White Springs, Stephen Foster SP features a museum dedicated to Stephen Foster, is home to the Florida Folk Festival, and boasts one of the newer campgrounds in the parks system.

    386-397-4262

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    Most recently we spent a few days on site 15.

    Date of visit: Feb 2009

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    In Feb 2008, we were on site 13, a very pleasant site facing the open grassy area at the campground entrance.

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    On our first visit in 2006 we arrived without a reservation, and were lucky to get a large, private site, 12. It offered a nice mix of sun and shade, and I had no problem getting the satellite dish aimed.

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    In the cool of the winter months we prefer sites that offer some sunshine to enjoy. One of those sunny sites is #6.

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    Another nice open site is #21, a pull-through.

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    Site 20 is yet another option for the sun-seekers.

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    But overall, these three sites, 15,14, and 13 are my favorite. They're out in the open, yet widely-spaced .

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    Sites here are designed for any size rig. A good number are pull-throughs, while the back-in sites are easy to access as well.

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    This shows both a back-in site and a pull-through. As you can see, there's a good balance of sun and shade.

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    One of two modern bathhouses serving the CG. Each offers a washer and dryer, as well as hot showers. Although not heated, there is an infra-red lamp above the dressing area of each shower stall which provides some welcome heat in chilly weather.

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    Large old live oak trees present a delightful setting for camping. The campground road is paved and sites are hard-packed gravel.

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    A recent addition to the park are five new cabins, located on the bank of the Suwannee River.

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    The centerpiece of the park is the Stephen Foster Museum, which depicts the life and songs of the artist. The park is also home to a number of folk music activities, including the Florida Folk Festival over Memorial Day weekend. A free Coffee House-style concert is offered on the first Saturday of each month.

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    The Carillon Tower is home to the world's largest tubular bell instrument, built in 1957. In addition to chiming the time, the carillon also rings out Foster songs at scheduled times through the day.

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    The Suwannee River offer some wonderful canoeing and kayaking.

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    Near the park Entrance is the Spring House. Folks flocked to White Sulphur Springs all through the first half of the 20th century to "take the water."

    Amenities

    45 sites with W/E(30/50)

    Fee: $20 + tax

    Dump Station

    Verizon National Access Service

    Coord: 30.333900 N, 82.770529W

    Local activities/attractions

    Stephen Foster Museum and Carillon

    Craft demonstrations and Gift Shop

    Hiking, fishing, kayaking/canoeing

    Historic Spring House

    Walking tour of White Springs

     

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