Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife Management Area covers 7,272 acres. It is open year-round for fishing, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, hiking, and biking. This offers options ranging from quiet observation to outdoor activity. Seasonal rules may change; check the current regulations before your visit.
Protected Areas and Trails
Raiford Wildlife Management Area can also be described by its size: it covers more than 9,000 acres, making it a larger designated area than Santa Fe Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
The Palatka-to-Lake Butler State Trail offers another point of reference. Its paved section is 28 miles long and begins at State Road 100, two miles west of Keystone in Bradford County. You can use its length, surface, and starting point to assess whether the section fits your travel plans. Trail conditions may change; check them before your visit.
The described features differ among the road routes: C.R. 18 runs east–west along the southern edge of Bradford County and is considered a route for leisurely drives. C.R. 235 leads from Brooker toward Starke; its nearly 20 miles of drives through open pastureland provide a fitting backdrop, especially for motorcycle trips. C.R. 18 is distinguished by its location and direction, while C.R. 235 is notable for its pastureland and connection to motorcycling.
History in Starke and Bradford County
The proposed Call Street Historic District covers about twelve acres within the city limits of Starke. Starke also hosts the Bradford County Agricultural Fair each spring at the Bradford County Fairgrounds. The Eugene L. Matthews Historical Museum offers another way to explore the past, displaying numerous objects from Bradford County’s history.
Camp Blanding Museum is located about eleven miles east of Starke on SR 16. It is housed in a military barracks building dating from World War II and displays weapons, photographs, and documents about Camp Blanding’s training history. By comparison, the Eugene L. Matthews Historical Museum focuses on objects from the history of the county as a whole. The two museums therefore focus on different aspects of history.
Fair and Market Dates
The Bradford County Agricultural Fair includes livestock shows and sales each year; its program may vary from year to year. The fair takes place each spring in Starke, and specific dates may change. If you want to plan your visit around the event, check the announced dates.
The Bradford County Farmers Market takes place on the second Saturday of each month starting at 9 a.m. in the Cattle Barn. It offers fresh produce, handcrafted household items, local honey, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, plants, and preserved goods. Market dates and vendors may change. So it’s worth checking the current date and offerings when planning. The market’s monthly schedule clearly differs from the fair’s spring timing.
Motorsports and Other Activities
The FIRM: Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park has off-road courses and a racetrack. At The FIRM, RallyPro-Performance driving instructors teach rally, off-road, ATV/UTV, and HPDE driving. Through the International Security Academy, they also teach survival training for military teams. These offerings combine several driving disciplines with a separate training area.
In Graham, Bradford Sportsmen’s Farm has shooting facilities open to the public. Check operating conditions before traveling there. Together with protected areas, trails, museums, and seasonal events, this provides a selection of different themes to help you plan your trip around your interests.
Discover more destinations: Starke, Lawtey, Miami-Dade, Polk, Taylor, Putnam County, Pinellas, Jefferson County
For the broader travel overview: Florida.
