Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park
🏆 Official Guide: Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park — Florida’s first state historic site (est. 1912) preserving the site of the Battle of Olustee (February 20, 1864) — Florida’s largest Civil War battle — in Baker County, Florida — featuring a 1-mile interpretive trail through the pine forest battlefield (markers, troop movements, soldier accounts), an on-site museum (artifacts, exhibits, film), an annual Civil War reenactment (3rd weekend in February — one of the largest in the Southeast), and monuments commemorating the 10,000+ troops and 2,807 casualties of the five-hour engagement.
Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park preserves the ground where Florida’s largest Civil War battle was fought on February 20, 1864. Over 10,000 Union and Confederate troops clashed for five hours in the pine forests of Baker County, resulting in 2,807 casualties. Established in 1912 as Florida’s first state historic site, the park now offers a one-mile interpretive trail across the battlefield, a museum with original artifacts, and one of the Southeast’s largest annual Civil War reenactments.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Baker County, FL — near Lake City |
| Battle Date | February 20, 1864 |
| Significance | Florida’s largest Civil War battle — 2,807 casualties |
| Troops Engaged | ~10,000 (5,500 Union + 5,000 Confederate) |
| Established | 1912 — Florida’s first state historic site |
Activities
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Interpretive Trail | 1-mile loop — battlefield markers, troop movements, soldier accounts |
| Museum | Artifacts, exhibits, historical film — Civil War context |
| Annual Reenactment | 3rd weekend in February — one of the SE’s largest |
| Monuments | Confederate monument (1912) + battlefield markers |
| Picnicking | Day-use areas available |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the annual reenactment?
The Olustee Civil War Reenactment takes place on the third weekend in February each year, commemorating the February 20, 1864 battle. It’s one of the largest Civil War reenactments in the southeastern United States, featuring battle demonstrations, period camps, sutlers, and living history programs.
Is there camping at the park?
No — Olustee Battlefield is a day-use historic site. For camping in the area, the adjacent Osceola National Forest offers the Ocean Pond Campground, and nearby Olustee Beach on Ocean Pond provides additional day-use recreation.
