A Place That Hasn't Forgotten What Florida Used to Feel Like
Tucked into the heart of North Central Florida about 45 minutes southwest of Jacksonville and 30 minutes northeast of Gainesville Bradford County is one of the state's smallest counties at roughly 300 square miles. But what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character. With a population of around 27,000 spread across three incorporated cities, a handful of small towns, and miles of open farmland, Bradford moves at its own pace. That's not a flaw. It's the whole point.
The county is bisected by U.S. Highway 301, the old spine road that connects Jacksonville to Gainesville. Pull off 301 and you'll find moss-draped lakes, back roads lined with longleaf pines, produce stands that operate on the honor system, and a downtown historic district that looks much the same as it did a century ago. Bradford County has been called "pure Florida" and that description fits. No theme parks, no traffic gridlock, no cruise ship crowds. Just genuine North Florida, the way it's always been.
Whether you've just moved here, you're passing through, or you're thinking about putting down roots this guide will help you find your footing. Bradford County rewards the curious. The more you explore, the more you find.
Starke, The County Seat
Call Street Historic District
The heart of old Starke. This nearly 120-acre district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains more than 20 historic buildings. Stroll along Call, Jefferson, Cherry, Madison, and Temple Streets to experience what downtown North Florida looked like in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The original Bradford Bank Building opened in 1888 still stands and today serves as the North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce at 100 E. Call Street, a great first stop for visitor information.
Florida Twin Theatre
Located at the corner of Call Street and Walnut Street, this 1941 Art Deco two-screen movie house is a genuine gem. It still shows first-run films and looks every bit the classic small-town theater it has always been. It's the kind of place that simply doesn't exist in most American towns anymore. Call (904) 964-5451 for showtimes.
Wainwright Park
Starke's main community recreation park at 1100 S. Walnut Street features six baseball fields, two playground areas, a splash pad, a skate area, and basketball and tennis courts. It's a reliable spot for families and a hub for local youth sports leagues throughout the year.
Starke Golf and Country Club
A full-featured public golf course located at 15501 NE 14th Ave. Open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Christmas. No membership required just show up and play. Call (904) 964-5441 for tee times.
History & Military Heritage
Camp Blanding Museum & Memorial Park
Located about 11 miles east of Starke on SR-16, the Camp Blanding Museum is one of the most underappreciated historical sites in all of Florida and admission is completely free. During WWII, the base briefly became Florida's fourth-largest city, with nine U.S. Army Infantry divisions training here between 1940 and 1943. The museum contains weapons, uniforms, photo exhibits, and artifacts covering Florida's military history from World War I through to the present day.
Outside, the self-guided memorial park features tanks, aircraft, humvees, and military vehicles you can walk up to and examine. There's also "Firebase Florida," a recreation of a Vietnam-era artillery firebase, and a dedicated airpark with fixed and rotary-wing aircraft on display. Camp Blanding also served as a German POW camp during the war and decades later, one former prisoner made the trip back to visit.
Open daily noon to 4 p.m. No pass required. Phone: (904) 682-3196.
Eugene L. Matthews Historical Museum
Housed in the old Bradford County Courthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places this local museum preserves the history of Bradford County and its people through artifacts, photographs, and documents tracing the county's development from its earliest days.
Walkin' Lawton Chiles Trail
A portion of SR-100 through Bradford County is officially designated the "Walkin' Lawton Chiles Trail," honoring one of Florida's most beloved governors. In 1970, he walked the full 1,003 miles from Pensacola to Key West as part of his Senate campaign, passing right through Bradford County.
Nature, Lakes & the Outdoors
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
Located at 6239 State Rd 21 in Keystone Heights, Gold Head Branch is one of Florida's oldest state parks, established in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park sits on about 2,000 acres featuring rolling sand hills, spring-fed ravines, and clear natural lakes. Activities include hiking, swimming, fishing, canoeing, picnicking, and camping. Phone: (352) 473-4701.
Bradford County Lakes
Bradford County is lake country. Lake Hampton, Lake Sampson, Lake Rowell, Lake Crosby, Lake Alto, and Santa Fe Lake all offer public boat ramps and excellent fishing. Lakes Sampson and Rowell are connected by a canal, passable by small boat. The lakes are well-regarded for bass fishing whether you bring your own boat or just want to sit on a dock, Bradford's lakes are one of the county's most underrated assets.
Scenic Bike Routes
Two established bicycle routes run through the county. The 61-mile Starke–Lake Butler Loop passes through Starke, Hampton, and Brooker. The 32-mile Santa Fe Lake Loop starts in Hampton and winds through the southern part of the county past the Santa Fe Swamp Conservation Area and the town of Melrose. Both pass through working farms and quiet rural roads.
CR-18 Country Road Loop
For a classic North Florida afternoon, take County Road 18 along the shoreline of Lake Hampton. The road is quiet and unhurried, with moss-draped cypress trees, old boathouses, produce stands, and stretches of open farmland. It's the kind of drive that reminds you why people move to rural Florida in the first place.
Wildlife Watching & Nature Photography
Bradford County is exceptional territory for wildlife watching and nature photography. The county's mix of pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, spring-fed lakes, and conservation lands supports a rich variety of animals. White-tailed deer and wild turkey are common sights along rural roads and woodland edges. Gopher tortoises a Florida keystone species can be spotted in sandy upland areas throughout the county. Birdwatchers will find sandhill cranes, great blue herons, osprey, anhingas, and red-shouldered hawks with regularity. Bald eagles nest near several of the county's lakes, particularly around the Keystone Heights area. The Santa Fe Swamp Conservation Area and Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park are both excellent starting points for a morning with binoculars or a camera.
Gold Head Branch Trail Corridor
A paved multi-use trail running nearly 47 miles along a former Norfolk-Southern Railroad right-of-way, stretching through Putnam, Clay, Bradford, and Union counties. The trail passes through some of the most picturesque terrain in the region. Open and well worth exploring on foot, bike, or inline skates.
Sports, Speed & Shooting
FIRM Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park
Located near Keystone Heights on more than 400 acres, the FIRM is a European-style rally and road racing facility unlike anything else in the region. Home to the RallyPro Performance Driving School you can actually drive a car around the track at speed with professional instruction. The facility also hosts regional and national motorsport events throughout the year.
Bradford Sportsmen's Farm
Located in Graham at 11394 SW 106th Ave, Bradford Sportsmen's Farm offers two fully automated 14-station sporting clay courses, a 25-yard and 50-yard pistol range, a 300-yard rifle range, and an 850-yard long-range rifle range all on a beautiful 200-acre property. RV campsites on-site. Phone: (352) 485-2302.
Annual Events & Community Traditions
Bradford County Strawberry Festival
Held each April in Starke, this festival celebrates Bradford County's most famous crop. The county's soil is classified as prime farmland for strawberry cultivation. Over 200 craft and food vendors, a car show, kids' activities, and more draw visitors from across Florida and Georgia.
Starke Bike Festival
Every August, motorcycle enthusiasts descend on Starke for a day of motorcycle-related games, a swap meet, live music, food, and competitions. A fun, loud, and very North Florida kind of event that draws crowds from across the region.
Bradford County Agricultural Fair
A traditional county fair held each spring at the Fairgrounds on North Temple Avenue in Starke. Animal shows, carnival rides, live entertainment, food, and competitions. The livestock judging competition is a serious affair for local 4-H youth. If you want to see Bradford County at its most community-minded, this is the event.
Worth the Drive Nearby Attractions
Bradford County's central location puts a lot within easy reach.
Gainesville ~30 min south
Home to the University of Florida, the Florida Museum of Natural History, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and some of the best live music venues in North Florida.
Jacksonville ~45 min northeast
Florida's largest city. NFL football, a thriving riverfront, professional sports, shopping, and the closest Atlantic beaches to Bradford County.
St. Augustine ~1 hr east
The oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. Cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial architecture, and a history stretching back to 1565.
Ichetucknee Springs ~1 hr west
Crystal-clear, 68°F natural springs perfect for tubing, swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling. Ichetucknee Springs State Park is an essential North Florida experience.
Silver Springs ~1 hr south
One of the world's largest artesian spring formations. Glass-bottom boat tours have been running here since the 1870s. Silver Springs State Park offers kayaking, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Palatka & the St. Johns River ~45 min east
One of the few North American rivers that flows north. Fishing, boating, wildlife, and the famous Ravine Gardens State Park with its seasonal azalea blooms.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
- 🚗 You need a car. Bradford County is rural and spread out. Public transportation is essentially nonexistent.
- 📵 Cell service varies. Some back roads and rural areas have spotty or no coverage. Download your maps before heading out.
- 🌡️ Summers are hot and humid. Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening in July and August.
- 🎟️ Book early for festivals. Accommodations fill fast during the Strawberry Festival and Bike Festival weekends.
- 📋 Start at the Chamber. The North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce at 100 E. Call Street in Starke is open Mon–Thu 9–5 and Fri 9–4.
- 🛒 Shop local. Check our Business Directory to find local restaurants, shops, and services before defaulting to a chain.
Stay Connected
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