FORT
CAROLINE NATIONAL MEMORIAL
The Timucuan Preserve; Jacksonville, FL
Description
Fort Caroline memorializes the short-lived French
presence in sixteenth century Florida. Here you will
find stories of exploration, survival, religious disputes,
territorial battles, and first contact between American
Indians and Europeans.
Contact Information
12713 Fort Caroline Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32225 Phone
Visitor Information : (904) 641-7155
Headquarters : (904) 221-5568
Fax: (904) 641-3798
Operating Hours & Seasons
The visitor center and grounds are open 9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. daily; closed December 25, Thanksgiving,
and New Years Day.
Getting There
Plane
Jacksonville International Airport is about 20 miles
northwest of the park. Visitors must provide their
own transportation (taxi or private automobile)
to the park.
Car
Fort Caroline National Memorial is located near
the intersection of Monument Road and Fort Caroline
Road, approximately 14 miles east of downtown Jacksonville.
For detailed driving directions, please refer to
the Fort Caroline Visitors Guide.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation to Fort Caroline
National Memorial.
ENTRANCE FEES
Fees: Free!
ACTIVITY FEES
School Groups
Fees: Free!
Details
Reservations for school groups are taken in advance
and are scheduled on a first call basis. Please call
(904) 641-7155 to make your reservation.
SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Special Use Permits
Fees: Free!
Details
Written requests for special park uses, including
ceremonies of any kind, are required and must be submitted
at least 30 days in advance.
ACTIVITIES
Learning about the history of the St. Johns River
estuary, from the time of the native Timucuans through
four centuries of exploration, colonization, agriculture,
and commercial exploitation is a primary activity.
The enjoyment of nature via a network of hiking trails
and scenic overlooks is also popular.
FACILITIES
Fort Caroline Exhibit and Nature Trail
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(904) 641-7155
Location
One quarter mile from the visitor center via an
unpaved trail.
Closures
Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.
Special Programs
As scheduled; contact visitor center
Exhibits
A near full-scale rendering of the original Fort
de la Caroline illustrates the modest defenses upon
which the the Sixteenth Century French Colonists
depended. A nearby nature trail provides a close-up
view of the environment, including saltmarsh and
hardwood forest, as it may have existed when the
first Europeans arrived.
Available Facilities
None; the fort exhibit and nature trail are self-
guided.
Ribault Column
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(904) 641-7155
Location
Fort Caroline Road, one-half mile east of Fort Caroline
National Memorial Visitor Center.
Closures
Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.
Special Programs
As scheduled; contact visitor center.
Exhibits
Reproduction of original stone column placed near
the mouth of the St. Johns River by French explorers
in 1562. Wayside exhibit describing the view from
scenic overlook.
Available Facilities
Scenic overlook with view of St. Johns River and
nearby saltmarsh.
Spanish Pond
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(904) 641-7155
Location
Fort Caroline Road, opposite Fort Caroline National
Memorial Visitor Center.
Closures
Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.
Special Programs
As scheduled; contact visitor center.
Available Facilities
Scenic overlook with view of Spanish Pond, a freshwater
pond environment rich in wildlife. Spanish Pond
is so named because it may have been the site where
Spanish soldiers camped the night before attacking
Fort de la Caroline in 1565.
Theodore Roosevelt Hiking Area
Open All Year
from April 2 to Oct 28, 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
from Oct 29 to April 01, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(904) 641-7155
Location
The trailhead parking area is at 13165 Mt. Pleasant
Road, approximately one and one-half miles east
of Monument Road.
Closures
Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1.
Special Programs
As scheduled; contact visitor center.
Exhibits
The Theodore Rosevelt Area is a 600 acre coastal
maritime preserve of hardwood forest, scrub vegetation,
and saltmarsh. A network of primitive trails connects
the upland and shoreline areas.
Available Facilities
Observation tower. Hiking trails. Limited picnic area
(no fires or grills permitted). Restrooms.
VISITOR CENTERS
Fort Caroline National Memorial Visitor
Center
Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
(904) 641-7155
Location
12713 Fort Caroline Road Jacksonville FL 32225
Closures
Closed on Thanksgiving, December 25, and January
1.
Special Programs
As scheduled; contact visitor center
Exhibits
Exhibits tell the story of the St. Johns River estuary,
where salt and fresh waters meet to form an environment
well suited to sustain many life forms, including
human life. The history of the area from the time
of the native Timucuans, through periods of French,
Spanish, and English rule, and continuing to the
present day is described in a series of exhibits.
Available Facilities
Picnic area with shelter; fires or grills are not
permitted.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Summers are hot and humid. Cool, damp, and windy
conditions are common in winter.
http://www.nps.gov/timu/indepth/foca/foca_home.htm
