Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Designation: Ecological & Historic Preserve
Location: Florida
š Park Overview
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.
š¤ Weather Information
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.
š 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.
Images
The tabby cabins at Kingsley Plantation were the homes of many enslaved people.
Credit: NPS Photo/Darryl Herring
The sand dune at American Beach is a protected part of the Timucuan Preserve.
Credit: NPS Photo/Charles Stankiewicz
The fort exhibit at Fort Caroline teaches visitors of the failed French colony in Florida.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Theodore Roosevelt Area trails provide a getaway from the urban hustle within the city of Jacksonville.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Timucuan Preserve hosts wondrous biodiversity.
Credit: NPS Photo/Tracy Pellicer
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Saturday, Aug 1
Sunny
High: 96.8Ā°F | Low: 76.6Ā°F
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 14.8 mph
Rain Chance: 64%
UV Index: 9.7
Sunrise: 06:44 AM
Sunset: 08:20 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (83%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 78.3Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 64%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Aug 2
Partly Cloudy
High: 85.1Ā°F | Low: 75.7Ā°F
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 17.7 mph
Rain Chance: 28%
UV Index: 8.9
Sunrise: 06:44 AM
Sunset: 08:19 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (75%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 74.3Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 28%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Monday, Aug 3
Patchy rain nearby
High: 87.8Ā°F | Low: 76.4Ā°F
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 18.3 mph
Rain Chance: 73%
UV Index: 9.9
Sunrise: 06:45 AM
Sunset: 08:18 PM
Moon: Last Quarter (65%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 74.6Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 73%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Small Craft Advisory issued August 1 at 3:34AM EDT until August 3 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Jacksonville FL
Effective: Aug 1, 2026 3:34am
Expires: Aug 1, 2026 4:00pm
* WHAT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 kt expected.
* WHERE...All Southeast Georgia coastal waters from Altamaha
Sound GA to Fernandina Beach FL out to 60 NM and Coastal
waters from Fernandina Beach FL to St Augustine FL out to 60
NM.
* WHEN...From 2 PM Sunday to 8 AM EDT Monday.
* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Ranger Talk at Fort Caroline National Memorial
Join a ranger at the Fort Caroline National Memorial for a 20 minute talk related to the preserve. Topics vary by ranger and are appropriate for all ages. Locations will vary so please call 904-641-7155 or ask at the visitor center desk.
Ranger talks are subject to to weather and staffing changes.
Location: Meet at the Fort Caroline National Memorial Visitor Center
Date: Nov 29, 2025 12:00am to Nov 29, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Talk at Kingsley Plantation
Join a park ranger for 20 minute talk related to the history of Kingsley Plantation. Talks are 20 minutes long, appropriate for all ages and free. Topics vary by ranger.Ā Location will vary so please call 904-251-3537 or ask at the visitor center desk.
Ranger talks are subject to to weather and staffing changes.
Location: Meet at the Kingsley Plantation Visitor Center
Date: Nov 29, 2025 12:00am to Nov 29, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Open House at Kingsley Plantation
The Planter's House at Kingsley Planatation will be open 10:30-11:30am and 2:30-3:30pm Friday, Saturday. and Sunday staff and weather permitting. Open house are self-guided walkthroughs, however a ranger or volunteer will be available at the house to answer questions.Ā Access to the Planter's House is through the south porch entrance.
Date: Nov 29, 2025 12:00am to Dec 31, 2030 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Guided Tour of Kingsley Plantation
Join us at Kingsley Plantation for a ranger guided tour of the park! Tours are free and require no reservation. Tour start locations vary so please call 904-251-3537 or ask a ranger in the visitor center for exact meeting locations. Tours are subject to weather and staffing changes.Ā
Date: Jan 2, 2026 12:00am to Jan 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Guided Tour of Kingsley Plantation
Join us at Kingsley Plantation for a ranger guided tour of the park! Tours are free and require no reservation. Tour start locations vary so please call 904-251-3537 or ask a ranger in the visitor center for exact meeting locations. Tours are subject to weather and staffing changes.Ā
Date: Jan 3, 2026 12:00am to Jan 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Guided Tour of Kingsley Plantation
Join us at Kingsley Plantation for a ranger guided tour of the park! Tours are free and require no reservation. Tour start locations vary so please call 904-251-3537 or ask a ranger in the visitor center for exact meeting locations. Tours are subject to weather and staffing changes.Ā
Date: Jan 4, 2026 12:00am to Jan 4, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Guided Tour of Kingsley Plantation
Join us at Kingsley Plantation for a ranger guided tour of the park! Tours are free and require no reservation. Tour start locations vary so please call 904-251-3537 or ask a ranger in the visitor center for exact meeting locations. Tours are subject to weather and staffing changes.Ā
Date: Jan 7, 2026 12:00am to Jan 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Guided Tour of Fort Caroline National Memorial
Join us atĀ Fort Caroline National MemorialĀ for a ranger guided tour of the park! Tours are free and require no reservation. Tour start locations vary so please call 904-641-7155 or ask a ranger in the visitor center for exact meeting locations. Tours are subject to weather and staffing changes.Ā
Date: Jan 7, 2026 12:00am to Jan 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Guided Tour of Kingsley Plantation
Join us at Kingsley Plantation for a ranger guided tour of the park! Tours are free and require no reservation. Tour start locations vary so please call 904-251-3537 or ask a ranger in the visitor center for exact meeting locations. Tours are subject to weather and staffing changes.Ā
Date: Jan 8, 2026 12:00am to Jan 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Ranger Guided Tour of Fort Caroline National Memorial
Join us atĀ Fort Caroline National MemorialĀ for a ranger guided tour of the park! Tours are free and require no reservation. Tour start locations vary so please call 904-641-7155 or ask a ranger in the visitor center for exact meeting locations. Tours are subject to weather and staffing changes.Ā
Date: Jan 8, 2026 12:00am to Jan 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
š Physical Address:
12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225
š¤ Mailing Address:
12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225
š Voice Phone: 904-641-7155
āļø Email: timu_information@nps.gov