Today, park staff and reenactors provide living history demonstrations of life at Fort Foster. Each year, the site offers two living history events: Fort Foster Rendezvous in January, and the Candlelight Experience at Fort Foster in December.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE: The fort was designed for war and not built to modern safety standards. Rough terrain, uneven floors and blockhouse stairs can be hazardous. Please remain aware of your surroundings as you tour. In particular, pay close attention to small children.
Help preserve the fort by not climbing, sitting, touching or placing any items on the cannons. The fort and its artifacts may look durable but they are subject to wear and tear. The Florida Park Service cares for special places so that all may experience our Florida heritage.
Interpretive Center
Accessible from parking lot #1, at Hillsborough River State Park, this center houses over 100 artifacts on display that were found at the Fort Foster Historic Site. Exhibits offer an understanding of both sides of the conflict between the Seminole nation and the US military. The center is open daily, from 8am – 5pm.
Access and Fees
Fort Foster is not open for visitation on a daily basis. The Fort is opened for guided tours and for special events. Tour Times: First and Third Saturday of each month, at 2pm; First and Third Sunday of each month, at 11am.
Regular Park Fees:
Note: Unless the fort is host to a special event, regular park fees to Hillsborough River State Park apply:
$6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$60.00 per bus load of people or $2.00 per person, whichever is less.
Fort Foster Tour Fees:
$2.00 per adult.
$1.00 per child, 6 to 12.
Free, 5 and younger.
Directions to Fort Foster State Historic Site
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.