Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Jacksonville, FL Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.

Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

Ecological & Historic Preserve

Operating Hours & Seasons

Timucuan Preserve

The facilities and grounds for Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation are open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily. 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.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Monday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Tuesday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Wednesday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Thursday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Friday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
• Saturday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Additional Information View More

• Christmas Day:
• –

• New Year’s Day:
• –

• Thanksgiving Day:
• –

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $0.00 – Fee Free Park
  We are a free park.

About

Where the Waters Meet

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.

Directions

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.

Visitor Centers

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 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. Kingsley Plantation Visitor Contact Station

You can explore the grounds at Kingsley Plantation, which include the slave quarters, barn, waterfront, plantation house, kitchen house, and interpretive garden. The visitor contact station/bookstore is located in a 1920s building adjacent to the plantation buildings.

Weather

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.

Permits and Reservations Information