Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve — Attraction in Jacksonville

I am a writer and photographer for National Park Planner and I visited the Timucuan Ecological Preserve in March 2015. The Preserve was created in 1988 to protect the salt marshes and estuaries located north of Jacksonville, Florida. The park is bounded by the St. Johns River to the south and the Nassau River to the north. This is a rather unique National Park in that less than 30% of the land is actually owned by the National Park Service. The park is run jointly by the NPS, the state of Florida, and the city of Jacksonville. Much of the land is comprised of private property and the Florida state and Jacksoville city parks of Fort George Island Cultural State Park, Helen Cooper Floyd Memorial Park, Huguenot Memorial Park, and Big Talbot Island State Park. Little Talbot Island State Park, Betz Tiger Point Preserve, and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park lie just outside the Preserve. While there are no campgrounds or beaches run by the National Park Service, these parks offer all sorts of recreational opportunities for vacationers to the area.

Two-thirds of the Preserve is made up of salt marsh, land of grass-covered islands surrounded by a maze of creeks and other small waterways. Outdoor activities in the park include hiking on the trails found at Fort Caroline and the Theodore Roosevelt Area, and boating, canoeing, and fishing in the salt marsh. The park also includes the word “Historic” in its name, and this refers not only to the Fort Caroline historic area, but also to the Kingsley Plantation located on Fort George Island. This plantation home dates from 1798, a time when Florida was Spanish territory. Tours of the home are given on the weekend, though the grounds are open daily. As far as National Park Service property is concerned, unless you plan to engage in the water-based activities enjoyed in the salt marsh, a landlubber’s visit to the Preserve is pretty much relegated to visiting Fort Caroline and the Kingsley Plantation. Of course the surrounding state and city parks have plenty of land-based activities for visitors to the Preserve.

For complete information on visiting the park, visit National Park...

First time here after living in Jax for quite a bit. Boy! Have I been missing out. Really cool to be able to park the vehicle practically right up against the shore. We set up base from the vehicle. Much easier to pack it up when it's time to go home. I believe every car is able to drive on the same, but it does take a bit of a special skills or understanding of the terrain. Treat it like if you were driving in snow. Here's a tip if you get stuck: Get out the vehicle and clear the sand from around all the tires. Especially on the fronts and backs of the tires as if you were clearing a path. Don't get excited and mash the gas and find yourself digging your hole deeper. See in which direction you're able to move some, whether forward or backwards. Whichever it is, go as far as you can and then brake and hold. Then go in the opposite direction and go as much as you can, then brake and hold. Do this to the point where you have created enough space between your back and forth, that now you're able to create momentum and brake free. Only add a little acceleration once you've acquired momentum rather than going to slow and finding yourself stuck again. I...

Absolutely adore this place. It’s FREE parking and admission. It includes Kingsley Plantation and Fort Caroline. Over 6,000 years of history here. You can hike the trails that the Timucuan Indians use to walk. It’s right along the St. John’s River and salt marshes. Lots of beautiful hardwood hammocks also. We love to picnic here or bring our pups. You can see dolphins on good days. The Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center is really nice. Lots of exhibits to see and learn about the rich, local history. They also have a gift shop/bookstore. There are picnic tables scattered throughout mostly by the visitors center. The trails are pretty easy except for some places you need to watch out for. Bring plenty of bug spray. we use peppermint oil or basil oil, even for the pups. They have a Timucuan Village that shows the huts the Indians’ used and some oyster mounds. Fort Caroline National Memorial has cannons and a small fort on the river. We spend about 3-4 hours here and always something different....