Hiking/Nature Trail

Picnic Area Loop - A pleasant 15 minute walk that wanders through a hammock with many live oaks and sinkholes.

The Pause and Ponder Trail - Enjoy this .3 mile loop nature trail at Dudley Farm's Visitor Center. This is your chance to take a quiet, meditative walk through the diverse habitat of Dudley Farm's woodlands. There is mystery here as the trail slopes downhill and curves out of sight. The trail climbs to high ground with a view across pasture land where the Dudleys once grew cotton and where cows still graze. A hand-hewn cedar bench is made for resting or bird-watching. Pileated woodpeckers can be heard calling; native magnolias and live oaks create a majestic canopy. The trail begins and ends at the park's picnic area.

The Old Homestead Trail - This trail is featured January through June,  the 2nd Saturday of the month.
A ranger or docent will meet you at the Visitor Center at 10:00 a.m. for this behind-the-scenes view of the Dudley Farm that was before the existing 1880s farmstead. The original log homesite location and possible location of slave houses will be pointed out. Participants will learn about Captain PBH Dudley, who established the original farm. This walk back through time traverses the original lane past 100-year-old split rail fences. One will experience the flavor of the true South while walking under ancient canopy live oaks and red cedars dripping with Spanish moss.
Allow a leisurely hour or two for this new guided walk.

Picnicking

The picnic area is located on the west side of the parking lot across from the visitor center and is equipped with 6 tables and 3 grills.

Tours

School groups and organizations must make reservations for tours one month in advance. Groups are limited to 40 people. For more information and a Program Reservation Form, please download the Educator Letter and Teacher Packet or call 352-472-1142.

Pick up a brochure and enjoy a self-guided walking tour of Dudley Farm. An authentic working farm, the homestead consists of eighteen buildings, including the family farmhouse with original furnishings, an 1880s kitchen outbuilding, a general store and post office, and a functional cane syrup complex. See costumed interpreters working the farm in the lifestyle of the 1880s to 1940s as they perform daily chores, work the crops, and tend to livestock. (Note: the chickens are sometimes penned to protect them from natural predators. The turkeys are on the east side of the farmstead, free-ranging from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., east side of the Brooder House.)

Visitor Center

Seasonal Harvest Time - From June through November experience and participate in the farm harvest of fruits, nuts and crops; including figs, peaches, pears, pecans, field corn, sweet potatoes, and sugar cane. Call the park for more information:  (352) 472-1142.

Wildlife Viewing

Bring your binoculars & enjoy the bluebirds at the Visitor Center. Hawks & other birds may be seen at the farmstead.