Dade Battlefield Historic State ParkAbout Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park preserves the site of the December 28, 1835 engagement between U.S. troops and Seminole warriors that became known as the Dade Massacre. The event is considered a key opening battle of the Second Seminole War.
The park includes a visitor center with interpretive exhibits about the battle and the war, marked trails across the preserved battlefield, and living-history reenactments held annually. The setting is arranged to interpret the military action and its regional impacts.
The engagement took place in late 1835 when a detachment of U.S. troops traveling through central Florida was ambushed; the site has been retained for commemoration and education about that period of Florida history.
The park is located in Sumter County in central Florida, near the town of Bushnell and accessible from regional roads serving interior Florida.
- Historic engagement date: The site marks the December 28, 1835 engagement known as the Dade Massacre, an opening conflict of the Second Seminole War.
- Visitor center and reenactment: An on-site visitor center offers exhibits on the battle and the broader context of the Second Seminole War, and annual living-history events recreate the 1835 engagement.
Best Time to Visit Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Winter and the shoulder seasons are best for comfort and walking the historic grounds.
Weather & Climate near Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1293 mm/year), wettest in August.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 8° - 21° | 15° | 79 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 8° - 22° | 15° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 11° - 26° | 18° | 101 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 13° - 28° | 21° | 58 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 17° - 31° | 24° | 92 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 21° - 33° | 27° | 180 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 22° - 33° | 27° | 177 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 22° - 33° | 27° | 189 mm | - | - | 2.1 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 21° - 32° | 27° | 149 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 65 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 12° - 26° | 19° | 59 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 9° - 23° | 16° | 63 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
The park is located near Bushnell, Florida. From I-75 take local roads toward Bushnell and follow signs to Dade Battlefield State Historic Site (US-301 and county routes provide access).
Tips for Visiting Dade Battlefield Historic State Park
- Read the interpretive signs before walking the battlefield - they contextualize the November 1835 engagement and its consequences.
- Visit in the cooler months; Florida summers are oppressive and the battlefield offers little shade.
- Bring insect repellent - the low scrub and wet depressions shelter mosquitoes.