Hiking_Central_FL

12 Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park: Bulow Woods Trail

A short but striking section of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) encompasses ruins of Florida’s largest sugar mill, destroyed in 1836 during the Second Seminole War. Altogether, there were three Seminole Wars in Florida. The Seminoles were never defeated and never signed a peace treaty with the U.S. government. No other Indian tribe can make that claim.

Remains of the plantation include extensive ruins of the sugar mill, a springhouse, and the crumbling foundation of the great house. They are made of coquina (co-KEEN-a), a sedimentary rock found along Florida coasts made mostly of shell fragments and associated with coral reefs. At the sugar mill, interpretive signs explain the process for making syrup from sugarcane. A small building adjacent contains artifacts found on the grounds.

Nearest town: Flagler Beach

Start: Parking lot near park entrance

Distance: 6.8 miles one-way

Approximate hiking time: 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Trail surface: Dirt path, unpaved areas

Seasons: Fall through spring

Other trail users: Cyclists in some areas

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Land status: State park

Fees and permits: Park admission fee under $5

Schedule: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Monday; closed Tuesday

Maps: Available at nearby Tomoka State Park (386-676-4050), 4.5 miles south of Bulow Creek State Park on Old Dixie Highway; or the Florida Trail Association (FTA)

Trail contact: Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, P.O. Box 655, Bunnell, FL 32010; (386) 517-2084; www.floridastateparks.org/bulowplantation

Finding the trailhead: Take exit 268 off Interstate 95 and travel east less than a mile on Old Dixie Highway to County Road 2001, on the left. CR 2001 is also known as Old Kings Road. Go north 2 miles to the brown-and-white state marker at Plantation Road, called Monument Road on some maps. Turn right into Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. Parking for the hike is on the entrance road before the gate. GPS: N29 26.094' W081 08.279'

The Hike

The plantation hike can be done in several ways. The easiest is to drive down Plantation Road, park at the Plantation House site, and walk the quarter mile to the sugar mill ruins. However, it is far more scenic to park at the beginning of Plantation Road and then walk the narrow, beautifully canopied dirt route leading to the ruins.

In addition, you can hike the 6.8-mile Bulow Woods Trail that runs from Bulow Plantation Ruins to Bulow Creek State Park, which contains one of the best stands of live oak on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The Bulow Woods Trail crosses open woods before entering the thick canopy of Bulow Hammock. At about the midpoint of the hike you’ll see a blue-blazed side trail to what are jokingly called the Cisco Rapids, which is just a small waterfall. Yet even those are rare in Florida. (Note: The Florida Trail Association may refer to this same hike as the Bulow Creek Trail. This guide uses the trail name designated by the state park.)

The trail ends at the sprawling Fairchild Oak, one of the older oaks in Florida. Some have estimated its age at an incredible 2,000 years, but it seems to be more in the range of 400 to 500 years.

The once-magnificent Bulow Plantation was built in 1821 by Charles Bulow of Charleston, South Carolina, who also cleared much of the 2,500 acres for sugarcane, cotton, rice, and indigo. Bulow died after only three years of working the estate. The property was taken over by his son John, who fashioned it into one of the finest and wealthiest plantations in Florida. Its sugar mill was one of the largest ever built in the state. Famed wildlife artist John James Audubon visited the estate in 1831 during a painting trip in Florida.

The Seminole Wars ended the prosperous plantation days. Ironically, John Bulow was opposed to the government’s plan to send the Seminoles to reservations in the far west. Bulow went as far as firing a four-pound cannon at the state militia when it came on his land.

Still, Bulow realized the Seminoles were becoming increasingly hostile, so he and his slaves abandoned the plantation. It was a wise move. In January, 1836, the Seminoles attacked and burned every plantation built on land the Indians claimed belonged to them. This included Bulow’s plantation. Disheartened, Bulow gave up and moved to Paris, where he died before the age of twenty-seven.

Miles and Directions

0.0 Start at the trailhead at parking area before park gate.

0.2 Cross a stream on a footbridge.

0.7 Cross a second bridge.

1.2 Cross yet another bridge.

1.4 Reach a wetter area requiring two bridge crossings.

2.0 Reach Marsh Point.

2.8 The trail follows Cisco Ditch.

3.2 Pass the blue-blazed side trail to Cisco Rapids.

3.8 Cross a power line right-of-way.

4.0 Cross paved Walter Boardman Lane; follow Mound Grove Road.

4.6 Come to the junction with Estuary Road.

4.7 Pass a 0.5-mile blue-blazed side trail to a primitive campsite.

6.8 Arrive at the Fairfield Oak Tree parking area in Bulow Creek State Park. Unless you’ve arranged for a shuttle or a pickup, retrace your steps.

More Information

Local Information

Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce: www.ormondchamber.com/obmain.

Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.daytonabeach.com.

Local Events/Attractions

Bulow Creek is a designated State Canoe Trail. Rental canoes are available at the park office.

Daytona and its world-famous raceway are located only a few miles to the south. February is the peak racing month.

Lodging

Lodging is available in Flagler Beach, Ormond Beach, and Daytona Beach.

Camping

Primitive camping is available at nearby Bulow Creek State Park. An overnight permit is required and can be obtained at Tomoka State Park, 4.5 miles south of Bulow Creek State Park on Old Dixie Highway; (386) 676-4050. Reservations: (800) 326-3521; www.reserveamerica.com/index.jsp.

Organizations

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks: www.dep.state.fl.us.