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Four re-encactors fire a cannon at Fort Foster Living History and Period Rendezvous.

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.

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.

Tour Times: Thursday 2 pm, 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

Admission Fee:

$5.00 for up to 8 people per vehicle.

Fort Tour Fees:

$2.00 per adult.

$1.00 per child, 6 to 12.

Free, 5 and younger.

Park admission applies.

Activities at Fort Foster State Historic Site

Guided Tours Icon

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. 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. Fort Tour and Tram Tours

Interpretive Exhibit Icon

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 State Historic Site Ranger Programs


Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Foster State Historic Site


Question: How can I schedule a school group for a Fort Foster Tour?
Answer: Fort Foster School Tours are available for scheduling on Wednesdays & Thursdays mornings of each week during the months of November through March. Please contact Park Services Specialist Patrick Potts to schedule a field trip at (813) 987-6870 or patrick.potts@dep.state.fl.us). Upon completion of the program reservation:
· The state park will need a request letter on (School Letterhead) from your organization to Park Manager "Kim Tennille" requesting a fee waiver for the field trip and stating that the trip is for educational purposes. · This letter waives the applicable daily entrance fee into the state park only.
· The beginning sentence should state: Our (Name of school) would like to request a field trip at Hillsborough River State Park/Fort Foster Historic Site for "educational purposes". Please add date of requested tour and number of students, any students with special needs or ADA concerns, age/grade level, teachers & chaperones. Fax:(813) 987-6773
· Please note: The Florida Park Service charges a fee of $1.00 per person for a tour to Fort Foster Historic Site. Teachers and chaperones are at no charge.
· Payment can be made at the Ranger Station upon entry into the State Park.
· Please arrive by 10:00am (program will last about 1 ½ hours).
· Please note: all programs are offered weather permitting.
· If you must cancel, please notify the park ASAP. (813) 987-6771

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.

Fort Foster State Historic Site Volunteer Information


VOLUNTEERS WANTED!!
Hillsborough River State Park/Fort Foster Historic Site

“Where History & Nature Come Together”

o Experience the Real Florida
o Worried the environment won't be there for the next generation? Help restore and maintain the environment and natural resources.
o Fight exotics! Become an environmental guardian!
o Have a knack for wildlife? Guide bird tours, canoe and nature trail programs.
o “Where are you from?” Customer and public services: Make our visitors feel at home through our Ranger Station and Spirit of the Woods Café’.
o Is your motto, “There's nothing that can't be fixed!” Facilities and Park maintenance is for you!
o Be in the spotlight! Fort Reenactment, First person, Living History and Interpretive Programs.

Something for everyone!

100 volunteer hours = free park entry
500 volunteers hours = free annual pass
Camp Hosting also available year round

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of pine Flatwoods, or hiking trails. The Florida Park Service, due to increased demands on park staff, works closely with volunteers to assist us with meeting the sometimes-daunting task of keeping the parks running and providing visitor services. Volunteers have proven beneficial to the operation of Fort Foster Historic Site where we have many ongoing projects; as well as, the never-ending maintenance of our historic Civilian Conservation Corp CCC buildings.

FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE CAMPING AND WISH TO VOLUNTEER:Here at Hillsborough River State Park, we have several volunteer campsites in a Volunteer Area. These sites include 50 Amp electric service, water, and dump station.

All sites occupied by camping volunteers are to be maintained by them, from weeding, tidying up, mulching, etc. The occupants of the host sites will be our eyes and ears in the campgrounds. Duties may include cleaning restrooms and campsite areas, answering camper questions, availability in case of emergency. If any or all of the above mentioned material strikes your fancy, please come join our team at Hillsborough River State Park/Fort Foster Historic Site.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Florida Park Service.

Visit the Main Volunteer page for information on volunteering in Florida State Parks

Visit the Main Volunteer page at http://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers/default.cfm for more detailed Information


Fort Foster State Historic Site

Hillsborough River State Park, 15402 US 301 North
Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
Phone: 813-987-6771
Fax: Contact Park for Number


Citizen Support Organization

Hillsborough River State Park Preservation Society
P.O. Box 6568
Brandon Fl. 33511-6568

Visitor Service Provider

Visitor Service Provider Concession Manager Jennifer Dupuis 15402 U.S, 301 North
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
(813) 987-6771

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