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 Kingsl...
A road just off of the beach surrounded by homes and buildings curves to an unexpected large sand dune covered with plants. The dune has two wayside panels describing the history and a historic marker.
Ruins of a plantation shelled during the Civil War tell a story of enslavement, agriculture, Florida architecture, and archaeology.
An exhibit wayside with tactile elements is to the left beyond a small fence is a mowed yard with a low tabby shell wall at the far edge. To the right of the mowed yard stands a two story tabby wall with a window. These buildings are nestled in a thick and dense jungle of palms, oaks, palmettos, and grasses.
The eco system has shifted and now tall thin pines dominate the forest with grasses and bushes in the understory a seemingly abandoned trail shoots off the main path with a gate blocking it.
mowed clearing no about ground disturbance to indicate a mission a rope fence marks off the area and a single exhibit panel stands with tactile elements
The Kingsley Plantation was the home of Zephaniah Kingsley, a wealthy slave trader and plantation owner of Spanish Florida who held an entirely different view of slavery than his American peers. After Florida was annexed by the United States in 1821, Zephaniah was forced to take actions that would protect his property, ex-slave wife and his children from American law.
a grouping of white buildings including a semi circle of roofless tabby cabins when you first enter, beyond the parking lot there is a tabby barn to your right, a wooden kitchen house and planter owners house in front and a small garden to your left. A river winds just beyond the house.
A split rail fence around a garden space, the rail drops down and extends into the garden in the middle between two wayside panels to allow people to walk into the space and feel the cotton and imagine being surrounded by the plants in the fields.
A two-story white building with a high porch coming off the room. While columns hold up that roof. A small staircase in the middle of the building leads to the second floor which has two doors in the middle and windows. The first floor has large windows and plain dark green doors, one on either side of the staircase.
Pale yellow pine floors of this room extend the length. The long room features a fireplace on the left and large paned windows on every other wall. Exhibits surround including a large glass case with wooden leg stocks. Dark wood beams stretch across the ceiling. The white walls crumble in places where the plaster is loose and a cutout into the wall shows the layers in plaster lath construction.
Exhibit space in the historic building and stop 8 of the Kingsley Plantation audio tour.
The south rooms of the kitchen house at Kingsley Plantation are divided into two. The front room has low half walls of glass separating the exhibit space where the fireplace and two tables are set up with period cooking equipment and fake foods. The wall prevents you from walking into the second room which has a fragile tabby floor, its white floor and walls contrast with the dark wood of the barrels at the back of the room, various pieces of equipment and a table are in the room showing it as a workroom.
A live oak with wide branches covered in green ferns (unless we have been in drought then they will be brown) and grey Spanish moss hanging from the branches. This tall tree is on the edge of a trail surrounded by other plants and shrubs.
White siding covers the wooden walls of this two-story historic building. A grey cedar shingle roof forms many peaks. Black shutters are on every window.
a stately two story white clubhouse with green shutters stands with a manicured lawn and bushes, large oaks tower in front and behind the building which had a rod iron fence and a half circle driveway. The door at the center leads to a help desk, to the right a private hallway, to the left a corridor past a ballroom leads to the exhibits
a parking lot with a long staircase which leads upwards to a vista overlooking the wide St. Johns River. Two markers talk about the location and monument. The large column stands in the center of the paved area with large low branches of oak trees stretching behind. The white stone column has metal plates with the fleur di li attached.
saw palmettos are bright green with long thin sharp looking leaves sprouting up at bush height they cover the forest floor around the trail at the point
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 Kingsley Plantation, home to 25 original slave cabins.
the exhibit is in a open area surrounded by dense maritime forests. As you walk in to the right is a long tree trunk being burned into the shape of a canoe. Ahead is a large round hut open on the sides with a palm thatched roof and a large pile of oyster shells surround half. To the left are benches and beyond them is a rectangular hut with a thatch roof. At the forest edge are several plants with uses to the Timucua.
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 station/bookstore is located in a 1920s building adjacent to the plantation buildings.
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.
Hike the seven mile, Seven Creeks partnership trail crossing through habitats and national, state, and city parks.
Photography in Timucuan
The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is a stunning location for photography enthusiasts. With its winding drives canopied by majestic oaks, rich wildlife, and historical significance, there’s no shortage of incredible scenes to capture. Here’s why it’s a fantastic spot for photographers and what you need to know before you go.
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 with the public. Find out how you can learn with Park Rangers at Timucuan Preserve.
Boating in the Backwaters
Sailboat, fishing boat, kayak, or canoe, choose your own boating adventure in Timucuan Preserve.
Become a Senior Ranger
Enjoy the learning and excitement of the Junior Ranger program but aimed toward an older audience.
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 breeze and views are worth it!
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. The 7 Creeks Recreation Area is managed by state, local, non-profit organizations, and federal agencies.
Drive the Saturiwa Trail
Take a drive through 6,000 years of history on Fort George Island.
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.
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 Florida. This first conflict between European powers in North America would lead to more bloodshed, for Native Americans, French, Spanish, English, and many more. The impact of colonization, the fight for freedom of religion, and the struggle of survival, can all be reflected on in this space.
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 and another for Fort Caroline.
Birding in Timucuan Preserve
Go on a birding adventure in Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
Climb the Observation Tower at Round Marsh
Hike the trails at Theodore Roosevelt Area out to Round Marsh and climb the observation tower to look over the eco-system, bird watch, read the exhibit plaque, or sit and watch the world go by on the St. Johns River.
Hike the Hammock Trail
The Hammock Trail is a great family hike, free and located close to the urban core, this is one of the most popular trails in the park.
Explore the Park Museum
Explore the stories and artifacts of the Timucua-speaking people of Northeast Florida, French colonists, and more at the small museum exhibit.
Walk with Fireflies
This short but magical season in the park delights visitors of all ages.
Catch a Keeper
Fish the waters of Timucuan Preserve, enjoy the peace of the backwaters, take in the beauty of the salt marsh.
Cross the Bridge
The Cedar Point bridge connects National Park Service and City of Jacksonville trails, provides a beautiful vista, fishing and birding opportunities, and a spot to just watch the world go by.
Tours
Count: 3
Cedar Point Audio Tour
Explore the landscapes, trails, and history of the Cedar Point property within Timucuan Preserve.
Fort Caroline Audio Tour
What does a failed colony mean to us today? What lessons can we learn from those escaping religious persecution? These questions are more will be discussed as you learn the story of the Fort de la Caroline.
