Bulow Plantation

Bulow Plantation is an abandoned plantation in the First Coast region of Florida. == Understand == Bulow Plantation consists of two connected state parks rolled into one. Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park contains the ruins of the plantation, while to the south of the park, Bulow Creek State Park follows several miles of the shoreline of the Intracoastal Waterway in neighboring Volusia County. To the south of Bulow Creek State Park is Tomoka State Park and the city of Ormond Beach. To the northwest of Bulow Plantation is the city of Palm Coast, the main city in Flagler County, the southernmost county within the First Coast. === History === The region was inhabited by the Timucua before contact with Europeans, which took place during the early 17th century. The nearest known Timucua settlement was Nocoroco to the south in modern Ormond Beach, but the Timucua population died out during the 18th century due to disease. The first known European structure at the Bulow Plantation site is the Old Kings Rd, an 18th-century British colonial road connecting St. Augustine with settlements and plantations to the south of Bulow. Bulow Plantation was built in 1821 by John Bulow and was a slave plantation. It lasted only 15 years when it, like neighboring plantations, was abandoned due to the outbreak of the Second Seminole War. The plantation was burned in January 1836 but, due to its brick and coquina construction, much of the structure has survived. Some other parts of the plantation have survived as fragmentary ruins. Bulow Creek, which passes the plantation on the way to the Halifax River, has since become a kayaking route. The Florida state government has established the two state parks (listed above), which are connected by a 7 mi (11 km) trail. === Climate === The regional climate is hot and humid and summer, and cooler in winter. The park, straddling the boundary of Volusia and Flagler Counties, is on the border of the semitropical region of Central Florida to the south and the somewhat temperate region of North Florida. As a result, cold snaps during winter are interspersed with subtropical, humid heat waves. == Get in == The U.S. interstate I-95 bypasses Bulow to its west, but there is an exit for the Old Dixie Hwy which crosses the interstate to its west and its east. The eastern side of the Old Dixie Hwy connects to Bulow Creek while Old Kings Rd to the north connects Old Dixie Hwy to the site of Bulow Plantation. == Get around == The main roads around Bulow Plantation are historic. The Old Dixie Highway is a historic part of US-1 that follows the East Coast, although the highway has been moved west since. The Old Kings Rd dates back to Spanish and British colonization of Florida prior to the construction of Bulow Plantation. == See == 1 Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park, 3501 Old Kings Rd (three miles west of Flagler Beach on CR 2001, south of SR 100), ☏ +1 386 517-2084. Th–Su 9AM–5PM. Contains the ruins of an antebellum plantation. Among the wildlife of the park are bald eagles, swallow-tailed kites, and Florida manatees. Activities include hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, canoeing and kayaking, and picnicking. Amenities include a 6.8 mile hiking trail, a boat ramp, and a screened picnic pavilion. Bulow Creek is recognized as a State Canoe Trail. $4 per vehicle. (updated Jun 2020) 2 Interpretive Center (follow the trail from the sugar mill, as it's nearby). This exhibit includes artifacts from the plantation such as chains, hoes, and pottery. Informative plaques provide information about the history of the plantation, its visit by John James Audubon, and its relationship with the Seminoles. There are restrooms at the center but otherwise indoor access is not permissible; all collections are viewed from the outside. (updated Sep 2025) 3 Slave Cabins. African slaves who worked at the plantation lived in cabins near Bulow Creek east of the Sugar Mill. Only the foundations of some of the cabins remain, but they can be spotted if you follow the trail that goes directly north alongside the creek. (updated Sep 2025) 4 Sugar Mill (follow the dirt road all the way to the end). The sugar mill contains the bulk of the remains at the site. Signs show how the sugar was produced and the separate mechanisms that took place at the mill. (updated Sep 2025) == Do == 3 Bulow Creek Paddling Trail. Canoe and kayak trail with access from Bulow Plantation, 1 Walter Boardman Ln, and 2 Smith Creek Landing. (updated Sep 2025) 4 Bulow Creek State Park, ☏ +1 386 676-4050. 8AM-sundown. The park is known for its 400-year-old oak tree, rentable pavillion, and hiking and canoe trails. Free. == Buy == There's a shopping mall near the junction of Old Dixie Hwy and Old Kings Rd. == Eat and drink == If you want to bring food into the state parks, both Bulow Creek State Park and Bulow Plantation Historic State Park have picnic benches. Bulow Creek State Park has a pavillion that you can rent for $40 per day. 1 Giuseppe's NY Pizza & Pasta Express, 2245 S Old Dixie Hwy, Bunnell, ☏ +1 386 586-3535. Pizzeria on the west side of I-95 on the Old Dixie Hwy. (updated Sep 2025) 2 Thai Elephant, 3768 Roscommon Dr, Ormond Beach, ☏ +1 386 675-6696. Thai restaurant in the same shopping mall as the Publix, near the junction of Old Dixie Hwy and Old Kings Rd. (updated Sep 2025) == Sleep == === Lodging === Hotels can be found on the other side of the Intracoastal Waterway in Flagler Beach, in Palm Coast to the north, or Ormond to the south. === Camping === 1 Encore Bulow RV Resort, 3345 Old Kings Rd S. With 385 sites which are open year round, the RV resort is close to the plantation. There is an event center, dining hall, and store at the site. Rental accommodations available but no pets allowed. (updated Jun 2023) 2 Holiday Travel Park, 2261 S Old Dixie Hwy, Bunnell, ☏ +1 386 437-4454. Biker friendly RV park and campground on the western side of I-95 near the junction with Old Dixie Hwy. (updated Sep 2025) Another campground can be found to the south, in Ormond Beach, at Tomoka State Park. Just follow the Old Dixie Hwy south across the Tomoka River and make left at the sign for the park. === Backcountry === Neither of the state parks permit overnight stays or backcountry camping. == Stay safe == The only danger is alligators. Be careful near the rivers during nighttime or when kayaking. == Go next == Flagler Beach across the Intracoastal Waterway to the east Hammock Beach across the Intracoastal to the northeast Ormond Beach to the south Palm Coast to the northwest