About Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influence in molding the character and shaping the political policies of the 39th President of the United States.
Plan a Visit
Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.
Weather & Conditions
When visiting Southwest Georgia during the summer, expect hot and humid weather with the potential for thunderstorms. Check the local forecast before planning any outdoor activities in the region and be prepared with appropriate clothing, sun protection, and hydration to ensure a comfortable and safe visit.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Georgia. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.
Operating Hours
Plains Depot was chosen for President Carter's 1976 Presidential Campaign Headquarters because it was vacant and it had a public restroom. Today the building is a museum for Jimmy Carter's campaign for Georgia State Senate, Governor of Georgia, and President of the United States.
Activities
Getting There
In Americus take US 280W/ W Forsyth St. until it becomes US-19 S/US-280 W/S Martin Luther King Blvd. Turn left and go .08 mile. Turn right onto US-280 W and travel 8.9 miles. Turn right onto North Bond Street/ Hwy 45 North. Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum will be on the right side of the road 500 feet from the intersection.
View Official DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
Things To Do
Visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Bookstore
Bookstore Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Plains, Georgia
A Self-Guided Tour of Plains, Georgia allowing the visitor to explore the town that raised a President, and where President…
Self-Guided Tour of the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm
The Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm is where Jimmy Carter was raised from the age of four until seventeen. His father,…
Self-Guided Tour of Plains Depot-1976 Campaign Headquarters
Plains Depot-1976 Presidential Campaign Headquarters
Self-guided tour of Plains High School
Plains High School is where both Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter went grades one through eleven. It has been transformed into…
Visitor Centers
Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum
Plains High School is the main visitor center for the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. The building has the parks orientation film, visitor services desk,…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
