Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
4.5
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4.5
217 reviews
Excellent
105
Very good
83
Average
19
Poor
5
Terrible
5
AryneP
St. George Island, FL31 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
I really wanted to see the ruins. There is an “honor box” at the entrance to the park with instructions to leave the $4 entrance fee along with a paper to fill out. Since I didn’t have the correct amount and there was no way to get change or pay with a credit card we left.
Written April 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise B
Warren, MI70 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Lovely way to spend an hour or two walking the premises and learning about the sugar cane production. The ruins of the mill were wonderful and educational. Cost to get in is 4.00 cash which you leave in an envelope. There is no attendant to give you change. No credit card payments allowed. You can also canoe but didn’t see anyone to assist in the rental of them.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philip A
5 contributions
May 2022
This off the beaten path historic site is a treasure. Ruins are visually arresting with many interpretive signs and exhibits. The unpaved but well graded one mile entrance road adds to the adventure and traverses a jungle like coastal hammock that ends at a tributary of the Halifax river.
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jannipoo2018
Brights Grove, Canada47 contributions
Jan 2020
Nice to walk around for a visit and some history. I expected there to be some ruins of the grand house and slave quarters. The story is explained from the plantation owner’s point of view. Not a lot of things to do or see, but the walk from the parking lot to the processing area was nice.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie and Tim H
Newnan, GA111 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We hiked the trails and enjoyed learning about the history of the area. The old plantation ruins are very neat to see. The paths around the area are fairly smooth and easy to get around. Definitely worth a trip if you are into historic sites. Beautiful place to take pictures.
Written April 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rjk30
Carmel, IN108 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
We had the unfortunate experience of going to this park. We entered at gate B12 by the crabbing bridge. We started up the trail only to find it was very muddy with standing water so we returned to our car. We had not left our car for more than 10 or 15 minutes. When we returned, the passenger window was smashed and my purse was stolen. So here I am on vacation, about 800 miles form home with a smashed car, all of my credit cards stolen as well as my vacation cash. I generally carry little cash but since it was vacation, I had over $300. All of my credit cards, drivers license, cash, glasses, purse, wallet, make-up, insurance card, health club cards, loyalty cards, etc, stolen. I am literally a non person at this point. We called the police. It took them over 20 minutes to respond. Do not go to this place!!!!
Written February 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FancyFree55
Florida7,551 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
I visited this park once, probably 20 years ago, and couldn't remember much about it. Today, while enjoying a sunny afternoon on the motorcycle, we happened upon a traffic sign that mentioned Bulow Park, and decided to check it out again.
Admission is $4 per car, or $2 for bicycles or pedestrians. It's mainly an honor system at the entrance because the park ranger isn't usually there. You drive along a narrow dirt road, maybe a mile, through dense Florida forest acreage to get to the park entrance. The road used to be the Old Beach Road, upon which locals traveled all the way from Old Kings Road to Flagler Beach. The road crossed both Bulow Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway, but the bridges are no longer there.
The ranger happened to be at the gate when we arrived, so we asked what we might see if we stayed. She told us that if we liked history, we'd like the park.
Turns out Bulow Plantation was home to a sugar mill operated with slave labor from 1820-1836, when the Seminole Indians burned it down. The charred ruins are still there, and informative signs tell visitors the story of Major Charles Bulow, his son John, and the operation of the largest sugar mill in the state of Florida.
The park itself is beautiful, like old Florida. You can either drive from the park entrance to the mill ruins, or you can meander on foot along a half mile nature trail. I wouldn't recommend coming with a stroller or wheelchair. Neither would manuever well along the dirt roads or trails.
The park has a nice covered, screened pavilion with several indoor picnic tables in case the weather isn't pleasant enough for outdoor picnicking.
You can launch a canoe or kayak at the boat slip, or you can even rent a canoe for $10 hourly, or $40 for an entire day. There's a 13 mile water trail on Bulow Creek. But plan your canoe trip for a calm day because the current can be really strong on windy days. Oh, and no swimming here - alligators like the creek.
The park closes at 5:00 pm. We're glad we stopped in.
Admission is $4 per car, or $2 for bicycles or pedestrians. It's mainly an honor system at the entrance because the park ranger isn't usually there. You drive along a narrow dirt road, maybe a mile, through dense Florida forest acreage to get to the park entrance. The road used to be the Old Beach Road, upon which locals traveled all the way from Old Kings Road to Flagler Beach. The road crossed both Bulow Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway, but the bridges are no longer there.
The ranger happened to be at the gate when we arrived, so we asked what we might see if we stayed. She told us that if we liked history, we'd like the park.
Turns out Bulow Plantation was home to a sugar mill operated with slave labor from 1820-1836, when the Seminole Indians burned it down. The charred ruins are still there, and informative signs tell visitors the story of Major Charles Bulow, his son John, and the operation of the largest sugar mill in the state of Florida.
The park itself is beautiful, like old Florida. You can either drive from the park entrance to the mill ruins, or you can meander on foot along a half mile nature trail. I wouldn't recommend coming with a stroller or wheelchair. Neither would manuever well along the dirt roads or trails.
The park has a nice covered, screened pavilion with several indoor picnic tables in case the weather isn't pleasant enough for outdoor picnicking.
You can launch a canoe or kayak at the boat slip, or you can even rent a canoe for $10 hourly, or $40 for an entire day. There's a 13 mile water trail on Bulow Creek. But plan your canoe trip for a calm day because the current can be really strong on windy days. Oh, and no swimming here - alligators like the creek.
The park closes at 5:00 pm. We're glad we stopped in.
Written March 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
half-Brit
Oregon Coast49,568 contributions
The Bulow Plantation once consisted of nearly 5,000 acres, but just a small remnant remains today. In 1821, Major Bulow acquired this property and planted cotton, sugar cane rice and indigo. He died shortly thereafter and the property passed to his son John, who prospered.
However, relations between the native Seminoles and the settlers became increasingly tense, and in 1836 the Seminoles attacked and burned the Bulow plantation mansion as well as many other neighbouring plantations. They were never rebuilt, and fell into ruin.
Today, the remains of the plantation are reached by driving down a gravel road that was the original plantation driveway. When you arrive at the plantation site, you'll see Bulow Creek, down which the cotton and rice would get shipped to market.
There are two ways to visit the sugar mill ruins. You can drive around a short gravel drive, or park at the visitors center and walk along a pathway to reach them. The sugar mill ruins are fairly extensive and give a good idea of how large these private mills were. There are interpretive signs describing what everything was.
Near the sugar mill is a covered outdoor display of some artifacts that were found on site. There are also display boards chronicling the history of the area. Behind the sugar mill are the ruins of the spring house. There is still a reservior there. They got the water to the mansion by way of pipes which are long gone.
In the parking lot area are the remains of the mansion, the slave quarters and the historic boat slip, although not much is left of any of those.
The old plantation is no longer cleared fields, as it has been long since taken over by native growth, and the whole area is forested.
This State park is a little hard to find, as there are no signs on the freeway. Check the website for directions.
It is well worth visiting!
However, relations between the native Seminoles and the settlers became increasingly tense, and in 1836 the Seminoles attacked and burned the Bulow plantation mansion as well as many other neighbouring plantations. They were never rebuilt, and fell into ruin.
Today, the remains of the plantation are reached by driving down a gravel road that was the original plantation driveway. When you arrive at the plantation site, you'll see Bulow Creek, down which the cotton and rice would get shipped to market.
There are two ways to visit the sugar mill ruins. You can drive around a short gravel drive, or park at the visitors center and walk along a pathway to reach them. The sugar mill ruins are fairly extensive and give a good idea of how large these private mills were. There are interpretive signs describing what everything was.
Near the sugar mill is a covered outdoor display of some artifacts that were found on site. There are also display boards chronicling the history of the area. Behind the sugar mill are the ruins of the spring house. There is still a reservior there. They got the water to the mansion by way of pipes which are long gone.
In the parking lot area are the remains of the mansion, the slave quarters and the historic boat slip, although not much is left of any of those.
The old plantation is no longer cleared fields, as it has been long since taken over by native growth, and the whole area is forested.
This State park is a little hard to find, as there are no signs on the freeway. Check the website for directions.
It is well worth visiting!
Written January 20, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Spledidferstuff
Orlando, FL185 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
The moment I realized this Sugar Mill Plantation was built and supervised by slaves I was hooked. It is by far the most impressive Sugarmill ruin I have seen to date. This site made me feel as if the ruins were far more ancient, and were built further back in history beyond the 1800s. Unfortunately, we got there late so we did not get to stay there very long. I plan to go back and spend more time there. I believe it's a must-see if you love history!
Written April 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tiltedaxis
Jacksonville, FL378 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
The ruins were pretty cool to see and educational. We rode in on our bikes after parking in the Fairchild Oak parking lot. We blew a tire on our way out and started walking as we tried to figure out what to do since we were several miles from our car. The ranger suddenly showed up accusing us of entering through a locked gate and hiding in the park when she did rounds. I had no clue what she was talking about since we had been ridden into the park through the open gate maybe twenty minutes prior and had seen her truck a couple of times. After being delayed by this incredibly rude woman (dressed in a tshirt, no uniform) while we tried to explain that we were leaving but we had blown a tire, she finally told us to go. We arrived at the gate to find it locked (obviously she had locked us in) and had to lift our bikes over it and climb through it in order to get out. She was nowhere in sight at this point, so it was evident that she didn't care whether we made it back to our car or not. She never once offered to help or to call anyone. If she was so upset that we were in the park after hours, it seems like she would have made sure we made it to the outside of the gate at least. What started as a nice park visit was completely ruined by such a rude, impudent grounds keeper who is a disgrace to Florida park rangers. If this had been my first experience at a Florida state park, I would never return. As it is, I will not visit this particular park again as long as she is in charge there.
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I believe the "Smash and Grab" is a review of the OTHER park-Bulow CREEK State park
This is for Bulow PLANTATION RUINS State park
There is only one entrance, not numbered
Written February 8, 2018
Ruth G is absolutely correct. I am sorry for the folks' terrible experience but they are doing people a disservice by posting the review to the wrong park. We had a gret time at the plantation which only has one entrance, a long dirt singletrack back to the gate Tripadvisor needs to remove that review, although I know you have to be vigilant everywhere these days so I wondered why anyone would leave a purse with cash and credit cards in plain sight in a parked car to begin with. That could have just as easily happened at their home in Indiana. The plantation is a long drive down a singletrack dirt road and through a gate with maybe one or two cars to case at the house site or mill ruins, so that is too much work and not enough payoff for a crime of opportunity.
Written February 11, 2018
Hallo Eko ,
hört sich interessant an , wieviel Zeit sollte man einplanen ohne Kanu ?
Gurß
Gerhard
Written August 19, 2016
Dogs are allowed as I saw the station with bags available
Written March 4, 2018
I did not see a huge parking lot. Also, you would be traveling down a long dirt road with palm trees and underbrush close to the path that simulates what the approach would have been like when the plantation was inhabited. We were in an SUV and got through with no problems though.
Written June 9, 2015
Park outside the park, walk in, or unhook your bicycles and ride in.
You might even see the mysterious JsTaw. Rarely seen when it doesn't love it's previous surroundings.
Written June 13, 2015
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