6 Great Activities to Discover in Bulow Creek State Park

With nearly 5,600 acres of scenic beauty, Bulow Creek State Park offers nature lovers peaceful tranquility in an enchanting setting. One of the last remaining southern oak forests along Florida’s east coast, the majestic 500-year-old Fairchild Oak is the highlight of the park. Exploring the hammocks, islands, and salt marshes with their abundance of birds and animals makes this an unforgettable outdoor experience.

Hiking and Bicycling

Hiking and cycling trails meander through the picturesque scenery, twisting through forests, marshes, and past ponds and lakes. Hikers often see white-tailed deer, owls, and raccoons along the way.

Bulow Woods Trail

The one-way, 7-mile Bulow Woods Trail starts at the Fairchild Oak and winds through the picturesque scenery to the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. The shaded trail twines around massive trunks under a canopy of old oak trees.

The trail offers hikers and cyclists the unique opportunity to explore the pine forests, tree-filled hammocks, and salt marshes that look just as they did when the Seminole Indians lived there. Part of the trail is on the original Native American path, which later became a plantation road. Be on the lookout for bald eagles, woodpeckers, deer, foxes, bobcats, and the occasional rattlesnake.

The Wahlin Trail

The short 0.3-mile loop trail runs down to a little gorge where water bubbles out of the ground. The trail crosses over a bridge, with captivating views of the ancient Fairfield Oak, and then winds through the forest.

Paddling

Paddle to the islands and explore the cabbage-palm salt marshes on the Canoe Trail. Experience the serene tranquility, the exquisite birdlife, and magnificent views of the forest along the way.

Birding

The oaks and pines, and small ponds and lakes, dotted with palm islands, attract a multitude of birds. During spring and fall, migrating birds can be heard and seen in the trees and on the water. The black and white warblers, gray catbirds, ovenbirds, and sharp-shinned hawks stay on during the winter months.

When you stroll down one of the trails, you will hear owls, eagles, ospreys, hawks, and the melodies of songbirds that make their nests in the trees. The Burlow Woods Trail meanders past Boardman Pond and Cedar Creek, offering hikers panoramic views of the marsh where wading birds and waterfowl are plentiful. Be on the lookout for storks, spoonbills, herons, egrets, wood ducks, and yellowlegs.

Geo-Seeking

Discover the natural wonders of the park while searching for all kinds of interesting trinkets and treasures, or even information. The Geocaching website will give treasure hunters all the clues to find the caches hidden around the park.  

Picnicking

Pack a picnic basket or grill a few steaks and have a scenic lunch under the shady pavilion. The picnic area overlooks the Fairland Oak and is the perfect spot to relax after a day of fun-filled activities. There are picnic tables and nearby restrooms.

Forget all your cares for a while and enjoy the fresh air and an array of outdoor activities while you revel in the natural beauty that surrounds you. Visit Palm Coast Ford today. Our goal is to exceed your expectations at all times.

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