Very cool historical park. Been going by it for many years and finally stopped by. Being there in person where one of the largest battles happened was really an emotional feeling. The old kapok trees here are beautiful. There is one in particular read more

Dade Battlefield State Historic Site - me and girl on chair - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Bushnell, Florida

This place is very pretty! The gazebo is closed but there are plenty of other shelter places to picnic. They offer some activities and have a small book exchange. There are restrooms too, it's a very shady tree covered area. While we were there someone was doing photos there! read more

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The United States doesn't do a very good job of keeping its word with the Native American population and this site points out one such instance. In 1824, the Treaty of Moultrie Creek was signed which provided for a reservation that included this particular space. When settlers moved onto the land in violation of the treaty and when slave hunters trespassed onto the reservation, the Seminoles got angry. And so on December 28, 1835, the Seminoles ambushed Major Francis L. Dade and 107 men here. It became as the Dade Massacre and it was the beginning of the Second Seminole War. Later, Fort Armstrong was built here and used to round up many of the remaining Seminoles who were deported to Oklahoma. Today, it is a historic site and park with picnic pavilions and several markers that point out some of the important areas from that early battle. It was quiet and peaceful on this Saturday morning. Worth exploring and seeing some of that history. [Review 20281 overall - 1783 in Florida - 1258 of 2023.] read more

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A nice quiet peaceful park and very well kept. Although the Visitor's Center was closed for renovation, there were plenty of friendly Volunteers out and about with lots of information. The Battle began the 2nd Seminole War of 1835, where American soldiers were ambushed by the Seminole Indians enroute from Tampa Bay to Ft King as reinforcements, and lost the War. The short trail is marked along the way with information, and statues where American officers fell. There's also a half mile nature trail with beautiful live Oaks, hundreds of years old, tall Pines in another area, and native flowers and berries. Lots of covered pavilions and picnic areas. read more

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This was a hidden piece of Florida history. Not very big but a nice visitors center with history of the area. A few walking trails and a very nice picnic area. read more

Nice little visitor center and state park. There's some good history here. Cost is $3. read more

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$3 honor system admission- downside. Beautiful park. Great for picnic. Have to drive thru an area that looks like there is no way there is a park around. read more

Florida State Parks are a gem! Just a few minutes off of I-75 it's a must stop for anyone with any interest in U.S. or Florida history. The park features interpretive displays, a trail, historical artifacts, and a small visitors center with a 12-minute video with a reenactment of the battle that took place in 1835 between the US Army and the Seminoles. read more

The Dade massacre was on December 28, 1835. It was a military defeat for the United States Army that greatly escalated the Second Seminole War, which lasted until 1842. This is a wonderful place to get out of the car and stretch your legs in a beautiful setting underneath cooling oak trees. There is lots of room for kids to safely run around or enjoy a picnic. There are well maintained hiking trails and lots of areas to just wander. Every year the state park has a re-enactment weekend open to the public. The visitor center is currently closed because of COVID. read more

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Annual WWII Commemorative Weekend held first weekend in March For over twenty years the Dade Battlefield Society has been commemorating the most widespread armed conflict in history and celebrating both military and popular civilian culture during the WWII war years. Every year, this event grows. The weekend includes Allied and Axis uniformed re-enactors, authentic camps and equipment, and 1940's military vehicles. You can take part in intelligence gatherings and other missions, enjoy USO-Style music and watch the comedy team perform as George Burns and Gracie Allen. What's nice is that each site has a representation of authentic memorabilia during WWII with living history re-enactors available to answer your questions. You become fully immersed when they regale you with their stories. They portray the units of the military and civilians from different backgrounds, German and American. One such German re-enactor was Aldis Grauds who portrayed Bruno Almanis who was the Unit Commander for the First SS Panzer Battalion. I've also seen the Russians walking around. Book Author, Elin T. Gottschalk experienced WWII when she was a child and documented her story in her award winning book "Into Exile: A Life Story of War and Peace." Four months before her mother passed away, author Cynthia Sandor found her mother's secret journal from the time she was in the League of German Girls and wrote her biography entitled "Through Innocent Eyes - The Chosen Girls of the Hitler Youth." Set under the canopy of the oak trees, military vendors display their authentic pieces and food vendors will fill your belly. Stroll along the hiking trails with the abundant wildlife or stop by the visitor's center and view the WWII displays. The bathrooms are clean and everyone is friendly! The event opens up to the public at 10:00 am and be sure to participate in the raising of the colors at the Gazebo. By 11:00 am, the entertainment begins with a USO style Armed Forces Radio Broadcast at the Alligator Pavilion. Make sure to put your dancing shoes on! By noon and again at 2:00 pm, troops and vehicles pass in review around the park. Closing ceremony is held on Sunday at 4:00 pm. It takes a dedicated group of people to plan, organize and host this annual event. Special thanks to Steve Resnick, President of the Dade Battlefield Society, the First Florida Chapter MVPA, and the Florida Historical Preservation Society for putting this annual event together. Thank you for your service! Mark your calendar! It's always the first weekend in March. read more

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Súper old trees. Beautiful scenery.Small building here to rent for events. Small, I said small. However if the event is small then it's perfect. Ideally have it earlier in the day because they need to close up at 4 on Sundays....unsure about other days...so to be safe clean up and clear out before then. Shaded building. Suitable parking. Tables and chairs are inside. Kitchen small but again simple event with catered trays or the like will be just right. read more

"Have a good heart; our difficulties and dangers are over now, and as soon as we arrive at Fort King you'll have three days to rest and keep Christmas gaily." Major Francis L. Dade spoke these words of encouragement to 108 cold, tired soldiers in a pine forest on the morning of December 28, 1835. Within eight hours, only three soldiers would survive the battle that marked the beginning of the Second Seminole War. The significance to preserve this battlefield is somewhat puzzling to me not that I mean any disrespect for the US Soldiers and Native Americans that took their last breath here but more to why do we want to preserve and pay homage to a battle that started because our government wanted to force a policy that would require all Native Americans to leave the land they occupied for centuries and relocate west of the Mississippi River to a reservation so the Americans could use the land for cotton agriculture grown using slave labor. Many slaves that fled plantations in the South sought refuge among the Seminoles in Florida. The Americans considered this a major problem and a threat to the institution of slavery. I think we all understand times were different back in those days and ignorance bred by greed and self serving agendas that were back by government forces in the name of progress is unbelievably wrong and backwards thinking. Although we can't undo the past we can learn from it and I am sure most agree there are much better ways to spend the tax dollars more effectively now days than by preserving and celebrating something that is morally incomprehensible to most of society today. We actually have government workers maintaining sites like this all over the country and we have become so jaded that these unethical practices are allowed to continue without challenge. Who's agenda are we supporting here? This annual reenactment is one of the most ridiculous events I've every heard of with its picnicking and carnival like celebration that sends the wrong message to our children. I would think a lonely roadside historic marker would be more than enough to mark this site of injustice and cost mere pennies and nothing to maintain. read more

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Dry interesting museum and grounds.... Super interesting placelots of b/c regarding settlement of Florida . Osceola and the Seminole Indian wars. Worth the Tripp...admission a little pricey though.. too bad. Aide people miss out on this neat place read more

Literally there are no signs or maps to tell you where anything is. I walked around the park looking for a nature trail that I could never find. read more

I give it 4 stars for what it is: A memorial to a historic battlefield that not many people are visiting. Could there be more to it, most definitely. But who would pay for it? The tax payers? I don't think it's warranted for the number of visitors. There is the field, a walk trail, picnic pavilions, and visitor's center with things to look at and a really amateur video reenactment. But hey, I learned. That's the point, right? read more

Visiting Dade Battlefield was a longtime goal for me after reading a few different books on the Seminole Wars. Major Dade commanded two companies of US Army soldiers who were marching from Ft Brooke in Tampa to Fort King in Ocala in December of 1835. After getting through what they thought was dangerous territory they were ambushed by Seminole Indians and all but a few soldiers died on the battlefield. It was a victory for the Seminoles and the start of the 2nd Seminole War. I was very impressed with the park, however, it was smaller than many state parks I have visited. I cannot help to wonder why such a significant event in Florida's history isn't more revered. There is an exhibit that shows artifacts from the battle and has a short video. Markers display where officers died during the battle and where the last soldiers set up defenses to help repel the attacking Seminoles. It is also a nice area to walk around as large oak trees and limestone structures provide shade and beauty. Any fan of Florida history should put this park on their bucket list. read more

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I loved my visit! The history and relaxing quietness is invigorating! The walk through the flat paths were great! The pics I took and uploaded on here do not even begin to show the beauty! read more

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This place kinda surprised me we just went here for the nature walk seeing as how we have recently picked up hiking. But this place was really well taken care of. A lot of the other places we have ben seemed a little rough around the edges but this place was clean and well maintained. The nature trail was wide enough for the two of us to walk side by side and may of even ben room for a third. read more

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One of the best parks in the US! Awesome old museum, trails, and constant informative and fun events. read more

If you're near it's definitely worth a visit! Jordan was very helpful and has great knowledge about history too! This once battle field now shines bright and I'm sure I'll be back. read more