Fort Christmas Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Fort Christmas Park is a historical site located in Christmas, Florida, that is operated by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
It is a popular destination for visitors due to its rich history and unique attractions.
One of the main reasons to visit Fort Christmas Park is to learn about the history of the area. The park is home to a replica of the original Fort Christmas, which was built during the Seminole Wars in the early 19th century. Visitors can explore the fort and learn about the daily life of soldiers during that time period.
There are also several other historical structures at the park, including the Christmas School, a one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1916. The schoolhouse has been restored and now serves as a museum, showcasing what life was like for students and teachers during the early 20th century.
Other points of interest at the park include picnic areas, nature trails, and a playground. The park is also home to several annual events, including the Fort Christmas Cracker Christmas Festival, which features live entertainment, food vendors, and a craft fair.
Interesting facts about Fort Christmas Park include that it was named after the day it was founded, which was December 25, 1837. The original fort was made of logs and palmetto thatch, and was used as a supply depot for soldiers during the Seminole Wars.
The best time of year to visit Fort Christmas Park is during the cooler months, from October to April. The park is open year-round, but the summer months can be quite hot and humid, making outdoor activities less enjoyable.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve
Charles H Bronson Wildlife Management Area
Orlando Wetlands Park
Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management Area
Hatbill Park
Puzzle Lake
Fox Lake
South Lake
Little Econlockhatchee River