Timucuan National Preserve is located in northeastern Florida, near Jacksonville. It consists of over 46,000 acres of land and water, preserving both natural and historical features.
This national preserve is named after the Timucua indigenous people who inhabited the area for thousands of years. The preservation of Timucuan cultural artifacts and sites is one of the key points of interest in the preserve. Visitors can learn about the history and culture of the Timucuan people through various exhibits and interpretive programs.
The Fort Caroline National Memorial, a notable attraction within Timucuan National Preserve, commemorates the French presence in Florida during the 16th century. This historical site replicates the original Fort Caroline settlement and offers visitors a glimpse into the European colonization of the region.
Nature enthusiasts can explore the diverse ecosystems found within the preserve. It is home to salt marshes, coastal dunes, maritime forests, and many species of flora and fauna. Hiking, boating, and kayaking are popular activities, allowing visitors to experience the rich biodiversity firsthand.
Nearby attractions include the Kingsley Plantation, the oldest plantation house in Florida. This former slave plantation provides insight into the lives of the people who lived and worked on the plantation during the 19th century. The park also offers picnic areas, fishing spots, and stunning views of the St. Johns River.
In summary, Timucuan National Preserve offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural history. From exploring ancient Timucuan sites to enjoying outdoor activities, visitors can immerse themselves in the diverse landscapes and rich heritage of northeastern Florida.
Timucuan National Preserve is located in northeastern Florida, encompassing the scenic and diverse lands along the banks of the St. Johns River and the Atlantic coast. Situated within Duval County, it occupies a captivating stretch of this coastal region, showcasing the unique ecosystems that thrive within its borders. The preserve's location showcases the harmony between land and water, with expansive salt marshes, intricate estuaries, serene hardwood hammocks, and ancient sand dunes. As part of the Atlantic coastal plain, this extraordinary natural area boasts a remarkable microcosm of diverse habitats, offering visitors a chance to explore its tranquil beauty and discover the rich wildlife that calls this place home.
12713 Fort Caroline RoadJacksonville, FL 32225Driving DirectionsPhone: 904-641-7155Web: Link
The best time to visit Timucuan National Preserve is in March or April. These months offer pleasant temperatures with an average maximum of 72°F in March and 78°F in April. The average minimum temperatures range from 55°F in March to 61°F in April. Additionally, the monthly precipitation is moderate during this time, with an average of 2.4 inches in March and 2.7 inches in April. These months provide suitable weather for outdoor activities and are not as crowded compared to the peak visitor months of May and July.
Some of the activities you can do in Timucuan National Preserve are: Food Picnicking Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Junior Ranger Program Wildlife Watching Birdwatching Museum Exhibits Shopping Bookstore and Park Store Biking Hiking Boating Motorized Boating Fishing Paddling Canoeing Kayaking Auto and ATV Scenic Driving Living History Swimming Self-Guided Tours - Auto Historic Weapons Demonstration Stand Up Paddleboarding Saltwater Swimming
Learn about these topics at Timucuan National Preserve: Architecture and Building Archeology Native American Heritage Trails Colonization and Settlement Explorers and Expeditions African American Heritage Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite Women's History Wetlands Forts Monuments and Memorials Wars and Conflicts Civil War Social Movements Incarceration Enslavement Civil Rights Dunes Colonial/European Contact Conflicts
Located at Fort Caroline National Memorial, the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center hosts the exhibit "Where the Waters Meet." This exhibit showcases the richness of the environment in northeast Florida and how humans have interacted with this environment for thousands of years. The Visitor Center hosts a bookstore and information desk, and activities are available to do while exploring the exhibits.
The following locations have passport stamps for your "Passport to Your National Parks" booklet: Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center at Fort Caroline.
This park doesn't have any campsites within its boundaries (or we haven't found them yet)).
With a stay at Holiday Inn Express Jacksonville - Blount Island, an IHG Hotel in Jacksonville (Northside), you'll be a 4-minute drive from Jacksonville Cruise Terminal and 5 minutes from Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a business center, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Jacksonville? This hotel has facilities measuring 969 square feet (90 square meters), including a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 10148 New Berlin Rd, Jacksonville, Florida 32226
Web: Link
A stay at Candlewood Suites Jacksonville East Merril Road, an IHG Hotel places you in the heart of Jacksonville, a 4-minute drive from Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens and 6 minutes from Regency Square. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 2700 Jane St, Jacksonville, Florida 32225
Web: Link
Located in Atlantic Beach (Arlington), Holiday Inn Express & Suites Jacksonville-Mayport/Beach, an IHG Hotel is within a 5-minute drive of Dutton Island Preserve and Atlantic Village Shopping Center. Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-out. Planning an event in Atlantic Beach? This hotel has 350 square feet (33 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 2040 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Web: Link
With a stay at Marble Waters Hotel & Suites in Jacksonville (Arlington), you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Florida State College - South Campus and Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, multilingual staff, and luggage storage. This hotel has 3 meeting rooms available for events. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 45 Kernan Boulevard, North, Jacksonville, Florida 32225
Web: Link
With a stay at WoodSpring Suites Jacksonville I-295 East in Jacksonville (Arlington), you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens and Regency Square. Featured amenities include express check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 8341 Dames Point Crossing Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32277
Web: Link
Located in Atlantic Beach, The Hotel Palms is by the ocean, a 1-minute drive from Beaches Town Center and 5 minutes from Jacksonville Beach Pier. Limited parking is available onsite.
Address: 28 Sherry Drive, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Web: Link
With a stay at Jacksonville Vacation in Jacksonville (Arlington), you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Theodore Roosevelt Area and Ribault Monument. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 12642 Chapeltown Cir E, Jacksonville, Florida 32225
Web: Link
Located in Atlantic Beach (Arlington), Candlewood Suites Jacksonville - Mayport, an IHG Hotel is within a 5-minute drive of Dutton Island Preserve and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Featured amenities include wired Internet access (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities.
Address: 2073 MAYPORT ROAD, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Web: Link
Located in Atlantic Beach (Arlington), Candlewood Suites - Jacksonville - Mayport is within a 5-minute drive of Dutton Island Preserve and Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Featured amenities include wired Internet access (surcharge), a business center, and limo/town car service. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
Address: 2073 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Web: Link
With a stay at this vacation home in Jacksonville (Northside), you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Timucuan Ecological & Historical Preserve and Jacksonville Cruise Terminal. Free self parking is available onsite.
Address: 6656 Ramoth Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32226
Web: Link
| Date issued | Details |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-02 | National Park Service Invites Public Input on Fort Caroline Memorial Relocation The National Park Service invites the public to comment on the environmental assessment for the relocation of the Fort Caroline Memorial. More |
| 2025-07-24 | American Beach National Historic Landmark Study ATLANTA – Today, the National Park Service (NPS) opened a 45-day public comment period that will inform a National Historic Landmark (NHL) nomination for American Beach, a historic African American resort community on the Atlantic coast in north Florida. More |
| 2025-07-09 | Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve seeks comment on the Fort Caroline Exhibit Relocation Civic Engagement The National Park Service at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve announced a civic engagement public comment period and a public meeting on July 23 for the relocation of the Fort Caroline Memorial Exhibit. The goal for this project is to create a new outdoor memorial that commemorates the French settlers who built Fort Caroline in the 1560’s. More |
| 2024-11-04 | National Park Service announces study of American Beach for possible National Historic Landmark designation The National Park Service (NPS) today opened a 45-day public comment period that will inform a study of American Beach, a historic African American resort community on the Atlantic coast in north Florida, which is being evaluated for possible National Historic Landmark (NHL) designation. More |
| 2024-08-02 | Timucuan Preserve to close ahead of Tropical Cyclone Four development Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve will be closed as of 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 2nd with the approach of potential Tropical Storm Four. More |
| 2024-05-02 | Freedom Seekers of Timucuan Preserve Recognized The National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom accepted the Freedom Seekers of Timucuan Preserve, as one of 19 new listings, from the 47th round of applications, representing sites and programs in 10 states across the United States. More |