About Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks. The Timucuan Preserve includes Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation.
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
We have mild winters and hot summers. In the winter average highs are in the 60's, lows in the 40's. The summer temperatures reach up into the 90's.
NPS Reference Location
Park state / territory membership: Florida. 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
The grounds for Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday; closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The preserve headquarters is open 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday; closed on all government holidays. Cedar Point and the Theodore Roosevelt Area are open sunrise - sunset.
Activities
Getting There
The beautiful expanse of the Timucuan Preserve is located within the city limits of Jacksonville, Florida. The Preserve can be accessed from major roads and highways in and around Jacksonville. Directions to individual park sites such as Kingsley Plantation, American Beach and the Ribault Column can be found on our website. Our main visitor center is located at Fort Caroline, about 14 miles northeast of downtown.
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
Photography in Timucuan
The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is a stunning location for photography enthusiasts. With its winding drives canopied by majestic oaks,…
Become a Senior Ranger
Enjoy the learning and excitement of the Junior Ranger program but aimed toward an older audience.
Read the Names on the Fort Caroline Memorial
Read the known names of the French colonists of Fort Caroline, the failed French attempt to establish a colony in…
Hike the 7 Creeks Trail
Hike the seven mile, Seven Creeks partnership trail crossing through habitats and national, state, and city parks.
Kayak with the Dolphins
Kayak through the creeks and rivers of Timucuan Preserve in the hope of seeing dolphins in the wild.
Learn from a Ranger
There are a few things park rangers love, pointing at things, getting distracted by cool birds, and sharing our knowledge…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Boating in the Backwaters
Sailboat, fishing boat, kayak, or canoe, choose your own boating adventure in Timucuan Preserve.
Drive the Saturiwa Trail
Take a drive through 6,000 years of history on Fort George Island.
Sunrise at Point Isabel
Enjoy a picturesque sunrise at Point Isabel on Fort George Island and beat the heat of midday hiking in Florida. The sea…
Join the Club
Explore interactive exhibits, launch a kayak, and take in the architecture of the Roaring Twenties at the Ribault Club.
Picnic in the Preserve
Gather your favorite charcuterie, curate a playlist, and head into the preserve.
Discover Our Partnership Parks
The power of working together is on display in this park partnership area which offers more than any one unit could provide.…
Listen to the Lion's Storyteller Audio Tour
Audio Tour at Kingsley Plantation
Shore Fishing
Shore fishing is a great way for anglers of all skill levels to enjoy a day of fishing together.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Help park rangers monitor erosion and shoreline changes.
Earn Your Junior Ranger Badge
Complete the activity book and earn a badge. Our park offers a chance to earn two different badges, one for Timucuan Preserve…
Birding in Timucuan Preserve
Go on a birding adventure in Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
Catch a Keeper
Fish the waters of Timucuan Preserve, enjoy the peace of the backwaters, take in the beauty of the salt marsh.
Showing 18 of 23 NPS Things to Do records available for Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve.
Visitor Centers
Kingsley Plantation Visitor Contact Station
You can explore the grounds at Kingsley Plantation, which include the slave quarters, barn, waterfront, planter's house, kitchen house, and interpretive garden. The visitor contact…
Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center at Fort Caroline
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…
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.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
🗺️ Guided Tours & Experiences
Discover Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve with expert-led tours
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
🏨 Search Lodging for Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Review lodging results matching this park or site name
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.