Park Summary for Print - Fort Foster State Historic Site

Welcome to Fort Foster State Historic Site

Fort Foster State Historic Site is part of Hillsborough River State Park, though located on the East Side of US 301 from the park. Fort Foster is a reconstructed fort from the Second Seminole War. The Fort is located 1800 feet from the parking lot and has no restrooms available. Tours of the fort are offered (weather permitting) on Weekends and an annual Fort Foster Rendezvous with skirmishes is held in February. Special tours for organized groups are available on request, for information contact Hillsborough River State Park at least two weeks in advance.

An interpretive center is located on the West Side of U.S. 301 in Hillsborough River State Park. The interpretive center contains exhibits about the fort, the Seminoles, and the Second Seminole War. Admission to the visitor center is included in the entrance fee to Hillsborough River State Park.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Fort Foster State Historic Site, please call 813-987-6771.

Hours of Operation

Fort Foster is not open for visitation on a daily basis and does not have regular operating hours. The Fort is opened for guided tours and for special events. Private tours of Fort Foster for organized groups are available, call 813-987-6771 at least two weeks in advance if interested.

Tour Times: Saturday at 2 pm, and Sunday at 11 am

Driving Directions

All Visitors to Fort Foster must enter through Hillsborough River State Park first. Hillsborough River State Park is located 9 miles north of Tampa and 6 miles south of Zephyrhills on US Highway 301. From I-75, South bound from Ocala take the SR 54. Exit #279 east to Hwy 301, travel South for 6 miles, and the park will be on your right-hand side. From I-75, North bound from Tampa take the Fowler Ave. Exit #265 east to Hwy 301, travel North for 9 miles, and the park will be on your left-hand side. From I-4, West bound take Exit 10 go north on C.R. 579 to US 301, follow the signs and go North 7 miles the park will be on your left-hand side. From I-4, East bound take Exit 7 (be careful of the merges) and go North on US 301 for 14 miles, the park will be on your left-hand side.

Park Fees

Tour Fee
Adults $2.00
Children 6 - 12 $1.00
Children under 6 Free

Activities at Fort Foster State Historic Site

Guided Tours

Fort Foster is the only standing replica of a Second Seminole War Fort in the United States. Guided Tours of Fort Foster are offered; weather permitting, Saturdays at 2 pm and Sundays at 11 am. Park admission plus tour fee of $2/adult and $1/child, ages 6-12. Ages 5 and under are free. Your step back in time will begin at the park's Interpretive Center located in parking lot #1. From there a tram will transport you to Fort Foster where you will see the only authentically reconstructed fort from the era of the Second Seminole Indian War (1830s). Allow approximately one-and-a-half hours for the tour. NO PETS. Call (813) 987-6771 for more details.

Interpretive Programs

8am – 5pm 365 days a year Located in the original 1930’s Ranger Station of Hillsborough River State Park and accessible from parking lot #1 the interpretive center offers a glimpse into the Second Seminole War and life at Fort Foster. Artifacts found at the fort site are on display along with maps and incorporated into exhibits exploring both sides of the conflict between Seminole Indians and US Forces.

Special Events for Fort Foster State Historic Site

FORT FOSTER LIVING HISTORY AND PERIOD RENDEZVOUS
Date: Thursday, February 12th, – Sunday, February 15th, 2009- 10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Description: The Hillsborough River State Park will present its Annual Event at the Fort Foster State Historic Site. This event is a living history reenactment featuring military, Seminole, and civilian reenactors, sutlers, traders, and craft demonstrations. School Days- Thursday 2/12/09 and Friday 2/13/09. Admission is a $2.00 donation per student – 'scholarships' may be available for home school students and for classes of students from area schools (Teachers/Chaperones are Free). Registration forms are available at the park or by calling (813) 987-6771. The general public is also welcome on the 2/12/09 and 2/13/09, but no battles will be fought on these days. On Saturday 2/14/ 09 and Sunday 2/15/09 there will be skirmishes after 1:00 pm, as the reenactor Seminoles try to burn the bridge and the reenactor soldiers defend it. Refreshments will be available for visitors' enjoyment. The Fort Foster State Historic Site is located adjacent to Hillsborough River State Park on U.S. 301 North, 9 miles north of Fowler Avenue and 6 miles south of Zephyrhills.
Fees: Public admission for this event is a $5 donation per person ages 13 and over. 12 years and under free.
Contact: Call the park: (813) 987-6771

Fort Foster State Historic Site Ranger Programs

FORT FOSTER TOURS
Saturdays 2 PM - Sundays 11 AM Park admission plus tour fee of $2/adult and $1/child, ages 6-12. Ages 5 and under are free. Your step back in time will begin at the park's Interpretive Center located in parking lot #1. From there a tram will transport you to Fort Foster where you will see the only authentically reconstructed fort from the era of the Second Seminole Indian War (1830s). Allow approximately one-and-a-half hours for the tour. NO PETS.
Call (813) 987-6771 for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Foster State Historic Site

Question: When can we visit Fort Foster?
Answer: Fort Foster tours are conducted on Thursday at 2pm, Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 11am. The fees are $2.00 per person 13 years and older and $1.00 for children ages 6 to 12, children 5 years and younger are free. Applicable daily entrance fees are necessary for all tour participants. Meet in parking lot Number One 15 minutes prior to tour time

Fort Foster State Historic Site History

The sites of Forts Alabama and Foster were erected in the same location during the Second Seminole War to defend a bridge which carried the Fort King Military Road across the Hillsborough River. Fort Alabama was established in March 1836 and was abandoned a few months later. The fort was destroyed in the apparent explosion by Seminoles of a booby trap left by departing troops. Fort Foster was established in the winter of 1836, again to safeguard the bridge, rebuilt after the original fort’s burning by Seminoles. The fort was abandoned in 1838. The location was considered unhealthy, as sickness occasionally threatened to render the fort indefensible. The site is listed on the National register of Historic Places. The Fort Foster property was originally deeded to the Florida State Parks in 1973 by a local rancher. After much research, the Division of Recreation and Parks has authentically reconstructed Fort Foster and the bridge it protected on the original site.

For more information visit Fort Foster.com a site put together by Fort Foster volunteers.