Review: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Welcome to the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida.

This is an unusual campground in that it is part of a complex, a large campus devoted to Stephen Foster and folk culture. It is on the bank of the Suwannee River which, of course, Foster memorialized in his song, “Swanee River” (he shortened the name).

There are three loops each with a very nice restroom/shower house. Each one has a reasonably priced laundry ($2.00). They are clean and mine had plenty of hot water which isn’t always the case. Also, there are hooks and benches to stow all your gear, again, not always the case as we well know.

The sites are flat and most are quite large. Some do not have much privacy, but at least you are not on top of your neighbor. The electric and water connections are very convenient, and no one seemed to need extension cords. There is only one dump station, but it is well situated.

There are two museums, one in a large, sprawling yellow building and one in the carillon tower. The bells in the carillon are not chiming presently due to a lightning strike, but I was told that the bells should again be chiming by next year.

There are several cottages near the museums where volunteers demo their crafts such as pottery, weaving, broom making and don’t miss

the “thunder gourd” demo!

As nice as this campground is, there are a few downsides. The camp store is really not a camp store although you can buy firewood there for $9.99. Also, the “town” of White Springs is a town progress seems to have bypassed. There is one restaurant, Fat Belly’s, but good luck finding anything healthy on the menu. There is a general store which is 131 years old and looks it. It’s rather quaint, though, and they did have a few camping supplies.

Overall, I would give this campground a thumbs up. The downsides were not an issue for me, but other campers may feel differently, of course.