olustee battlefield historic state park

790abbyg

I loved walking the battlefield and seeing the museum. Not knowing anything about the site befor I got there, I expected just the battlefield and a few monuments, so I definitely got more than I bargained for with the walking trail and museum. Overl it was a wonderful educational experience. My only qualms were that some of the markings along the trail were so badly weathered that they were illegible and also that the park map of the walking tour was inaccurate and the trail a bit hard to follow. There is a small reenactment area and, having come the weekend after the reenactment, new trails had just been made in addition to the walking trail. Not a big deal and still a very enjoyable excursion. Just a word to the Florida State Parks Dept. that possibly the trail could be better marked.

685gabriellel

Wow! to walk the very field where this horrible battle took place, to read the path signs telling the historic facts, and seeing the faces (in picture) of the few of the many that lost their lives during this brief but large casualties part of the Civil War. It gave me goose bumps. The museum, all though small, is very informative in their artifacts and the history film that plays on a loop. I recommend this to anyone interested in history, especially anyone who is from around this area and Jacksonville Fl because it is a piece of local history. There is no food or water for purchase at this site, but there are plenty of picnic tables. I suggest bringing "Off" spray if visiting during the Spring, Summer, and Fall months.

toddm800

During a road trip I decided to pull off and visit the Olustee Battlefield Historic Park with my children. It is a short drive off the exit by about 10 minutes. The park museum is unattended but fairly well done and does a decent job of depicting the battle with how and why it happened. There are bathrooms in the facility. We only explored the immediate area around the museum building and did not follow any of the trails. It is a pretty area and reasonably shaded. For the 15-20 min we spent there I felt it was worth the stop but I don't think my children were terribly impressed.

lorner944

It is a bit of a hike from St.Augustine but the area is well marked. The battlesite park is quite a good size and you are able to walk the battle. The signage is very good but is starting to fade from the sun. It was damp the day we were there so we were only able to walk half way around the loop.The visitor's centre is good with descriptions of uniforms, bullets etc and the importance of FloridaTo the Conferacy in regards to supplying food for the armies. The video is supposed to play on a loop but didn't replay the day we were there.There is a nice picnic area and the area with the memorial is impressive. You are in the National Forest when you visit this battlesite.

RichmondRoadtripper

My wife and I have visited many civil war sites up and down the east coast, and we were excited for the opportunity to visit Olustee Battlefield. It was interesting to read up on the history of the battle as well as the events leading up to it, but as a historic site, there isn't as much to see as other sites we have visited. This likely changes, once a year, when the battlefield comes alive again with reenactors.

civilwarguy

OK, so the state has not invested much in this site of the largest Civil War Battlefield in Florida. But in conjunction with the US Forest Service there is a nice 1 mile walking trail that interprets the battle. A new visitor center is in the works and the staff is more than willing to point interested visitors toward additional sites associated with the fighting.You need to do a little homework before you come to appreciate the story but if you do and you like walking on Civil War battlefields, this site offers much more than it might seem.

kliq6

I’ve been to a few of the larger battlefields, so I knew I wouldn’t get the experience here as I did in Gettysburg or Antietam but this place was lacking. It was the site of really the only major battle in the State of Florida in the Civil War.It’s in a very rural area, 15 minutes east of Lake City in a part of Osceola Park. When you enter there is a nice sculpture commemorating the battle and a visitor center as well with some artifacts and video/map of the battle field to help you recreate it. Outside you will find a monument to the Union troops killed as well as a few cannons.There is signage and a trail to follow but most of the area is overgrown and it can be difficult for younger kids to walk around.

FloridaKeysBella

This park is a great place for a historical civil war experience and for a short walk. It is well maintained, nice paths, picnic table area, allows pets and has a small but highly informative museum. We have been back several times already, including the reenactment, which was absolutely fabulous.

merionvw

We are not history buffs but like to go to local events. this was amazing. all participants take it very seriously, not just the soldiers but the camp followers and traders are all there and stay in character for the whole weekend living in tents and cooking on open fires. we enjoyed listening to the music and browsing artifacts etc too. not at all touristy. highly recommend

themusk88

not a bad little place. i have been to over 100 civil war sites and this was a nice one.short movie tells about the battle. a short walking trail with markers was nice too.

basgds

The entire festival was educational and fun. From the historically correct uniforms to the great food, this is one I'll definitely go to again.

yabbott

I went for the annual Olustee Reenactment Festival every February, around the 18th. This was my first Civil War reenactment and I was excited to see it. Get there early as we had to park almost a mile away. There is also a shuttle that can take you from the airport to the battlefield. The cost is $7 per person to enter the state park. Stands filled early (especially the Confederate side). It is very loud with the gunfire and cannons, so bring earplugs!It lasts about an hour and a half and is amazing to see history in action.

Justa_Figment

A nice short stop at the museum and the civil war expo that was happening. Everyone keeps saying we need to go back in February for the big reactment......maybe we will!

sofaman61

a must do in Feb when the re-enactment is going on. Avoid the crowds & go on Sat instead of Sun.

scoutdreams

We arrived rather late (4:30) as the park closes at 5:00pm. The ranger met us along the entrance road to tell us he would be closing up in 30 minutes. The museum was already closed which may have helped us understand why there is so little to see at a place where 3000 soldiers lost their lives (according to the information we did see). The one monumnet honoring the Confederate soldiers was well done. The map showed one for the Union soldiers but never did find it. There may have been interesting signage and artifacts along a trail but did not have the time to explore that far. Seems to me for a battle so large with the casualties that it took, there would have been more. I am still pleased that I travelled to Olustee to see the battlefield.