Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park

Ok, this place is definitely not what I expected. We were just driving around killing time and saw this in the area. We love historic parks, but this was kind of lame. It's dedicated to the confederate soldiers. The only things they have historic are the cannons. There is one picnic table and a few small short trails.

I love parks, so when hubby and I saw a brown sign off the road we made an impromptu choice to go explore! Wandering back past the Jax Port, we came upon the park. Just a few parking spots- right off the road, a couple display cannons & the state park sign welcomed you. We paused to read the historic marker & started the hike in. Wasn't much of a hike- it's just a tiny parcel of land that used to hold earthen gun batteries. There was one picnic table, plenty of foliage... And bugs... In a meh neighborhood (no offense). I'm all for crossing parks off my list as visited- but this one I won't be making a trip back too. If you adventure out- take your bug spray!

We live nearby and found out about this little bit of history. We thought we would cheek it out. It is back in a small neighborhood area with a few parking places and a monument. It tells you a little about what the camp/fort was originally used for. A couple of short trails to walk around and see how the troops were dug-in and how it was strategically placed. It has a couple of picnic tables and some pretty old oaks on this small property. A couple of old cannons are on display as well. Unfortunately it is very small and not a lot to see and it is not very well maintained. Worth a trip if you're a history buff and want to get out and see a piece of local history.

HmmNice little park considering it was only used as a military troop encampment for about 350 troops. There is a few picnic tables and not much else. It's kinda weird as it sit's in the middle of a neighborhood. There is a few trails with semi-steep embankments. I could imagine back in the past several tents and campfires in the area used by Confederate troops. This was taken from Wikipedia:"Yellow Bluff 'Fort' was not a fort at all, but instead an armed and fortified camp constructed during the Civil War. It served to protect shipping supply lines to Jacksonville and through the St. Johns valley from Union attacks. The camp was built in early 1862, holding over 350 personnel at some points of its existence, which lasted until the end of the war."

I've been all over the country and have seen many National and State Parks, but I've never seen a park about the Confederate Army and how the Union took control over the area. Finding it was hard since we printed off the directions and there are multiple "New Berlin". Before going, zoom out on the map to get a good baring of the correct "New Berlin Rd" in relation to Hwy 295. On Zoo Pkwy/Heckscher Rd, there is a brown sign in the median pointing to the correct "New Berlin Rd". Driving down New Berlin Rd doesn't feel like you are heading to a park, because there are trailers all around. We went in the early morning when it was sunny, but I don't know how safe it is to go by yourself later in the day. There is a waterfront with boats at the end of road which was pretty. The parking lot holds about 4 cars, but we were the only ones there and you could probably park on the side of the street. The parking lot is lined with a few canons to indicate fortified camp with a plaque that gives the general background of the site. There is a small building to the side of the parking lot, but I don't think it's a visitor center. There was no park ranger just a few signs to explain the basics of the site. I think its a unique park and hope more people are interested in it. There are a few picnic tables, but no restrooms nor water fountains. The park isn't bigger than an acer with a clearing to follow as a path (it's not handicap accessible). We took a short stroll around the park after reading the signs. I think the earth mounds were created to help defend the area from the Union, but I wish there were more signs explaining things in greater detail. I'm glad I went even though it was a short visit.

Very poorly maintained park. Awkwardly placed right next to (and basically attached to) someone's house. Very awkward placement behind an industrial area. I thought it was a 'crack spot' and actually drove right by it without even realizing I passed it! Very disappointed in the state on this upkeep. If you aren't going to maintain it, move the historical items elsewhere!Good luck finding this as there is no sign letting you know you have arrived. Literally a pullout off the road. Just looked like a basic community park that no one visits anymore! I wouldn't trek here by myself!