Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park — Attraction in Lake City

One day I will actually hike this when the sun is out for the duration of the hike. Today was not that day. This is such a great area to get lost in because not only is there the historic significance of the location but also the fact that a portion of the Florida Trail runs through a large swath of the park. There are really two hikes to do here. The first and easiest is an interactive trail that leads you around several placards and takes you to the field of the battle re-enactment. It's a nice interesting little 1.5 mile or so hike that's pretty cool. The second and, in my opinion, the cooler hike is The Florida Trail portion of the park. I generally make this a loop. You can do this by walking down a forest road and then take the Trail back or do the opposite, either way it's a fun hike! The Florida Trail portion at times can be a little overgrown and soggy but it's a gorgeous trek so it's worth it. The boardwalk as part of the Trail is a welcome respite and perfect for taking a break. This is such a truly quiet area and it's very rarely traveled because most tourists don't want to do the distance...and that's why I love it. I spotted multiple gopher tortoises on this trek as well as a ton of flora in bloom. While most people come for the monuments to the fallen or the re-enactments, I come for the trails and love it every time. Well worth the journey from Jacksonville, this is a hidden gem that should definitely be on your To Do list. It should be noted that the Visitor Building & presentation are currently closed...

I love doing this reenactment every year, it is the highlight of Febuary. I have been reenacting in the town of Olustee section which is right by the battle field. As you are reading this, please keep in mind that this was written in review of the 2024 reenactment and is all subject to change. (Though I do not expect much at all to change) On friday night they have a barn dance that is open to all, and on Saturday night they have a ball, but you have to have authentic clothes to attend. On Sunday morning, we have a church service at the ball tent, which usually takes place around two hours before the battle. The soldier reenactors do an amazing job and they really get into it; it feels like you are truly watching the battle. On a side note, if you want to get a good veiw of the battle, you will want to get there quite early. On Sunday, which is the last day of the reenactment, the Union and Confederate camps, along with the Town of Olustee, the camps were open from nine am to twelve pm. I suggest you stop by the Sutler's row to get many unique and fun souvenirs, as well as learning about the toys, clothing, and merchandise of the age. And yes, there is at least one toy tent, and it is a very good one. I conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend you visit this event, for it is very enjoyable for history nerds and ...

Beautiful park for sure, serene. The museum was small but informative. No one was there to discuss the historical significance, but there were videos on a loop (I admit to not watching). The battlefield is just as described in the primary sources, which is really cool. The monuments are pretty clear in their support for the Confederacy and their victory after the Union retreat. I didn't see reference to the Union soldiers killed, particularly the two African American regiments that were the first on the battlefield. So, it tells a story, but not the whole story. Nor does it discuss the immediate aftermath of the battle, which was Confederate soldiers killing the wounded black soldiers on the battlefield, thus raising the kill count. Criticisms aside, I enjoyed my brief visit and would go back again to learn more and...