Fort Caroline National Memorial in Jacksonville, Florida, commemorates a short-lived French colony and sits within the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. You can pair its outdoor fort exhibit and history displays with nature trails and views of the St. Johns River.
- Location: 12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32225
- Fort Caroline grounds: Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Admission: no fee to visit any part of the preserve
Fort Caroline's place in Jacksonville history
Fort Caroline memorializes French exploration and settlement in sixteenth-century Florida, along with the conflicts and encounters that shaped the region. The National Park Service describes it as a memorial to a failed French colony.
France established La Caroline near the mouth of the St. Johns River in 1564, according to the City of Jacksonville. The original fort site has never been determined, though it is believed to have been near the present memorial. In 1964, the National Park Service built an outdoor exhibit of the original fort.
The memorial interprets exploration, survival, religious disputes, territorial battles and first contact between American Indians and Europeans. That history connects the site to a wider story of European colonization and the Indigenous peoples who lived in the area.
What can you see at the memorial?
At Fort Caroline, you can visit the outdoor fort exhibit, follow nature trails and take in river views. The National Park Service also identifies watching for dolphins as one of the activities here.
The Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center is at the memorial. Its exhibits introduce the area's history and ecology, making it a useful first stop before spending time outdoors. The grounds and center have different closing times, so plan your visit around the hours below.
Fort Caroline is about 14 miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville. If you are interested in another historic site in the preserve, Kingsley Plantation's visitor guide covers a separate place to visit.
Nearby Timucuan preserve sites
The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve includes other sites with distinct landscapes and visitor facilities. The Theodore Roosevelt Area can be reached by a boardwalk trail from Fort Caroline, or from a parking lot near the preserve headquarters off Mount Pleasant Road.
For a coastal outing elsewhere in the preserve, the guide to Big Talbot Island State Park, Boneyard Beach and its trails introduces a different landscape from Fort Caroline's historic grounds.
Other associated locations include the Ribault Monument, Spanish Pond and Cedar Point. Their access hours vary: the Ribault Monument has set daytime hours, while Spanish Pond and Cedar Point are open from sunrise to sunset. Theodore Roosevelt Area is also open from sunrise to sunset; its restrooms have separate daytime hours.
How do you get to Fort Caroline?
You need a personal or rental vehicle to reach the park. The National Park Service gives the address as 12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32225, and provides a driving route from downtown Jacksonville.
From downtown, the route follows Union Street, Mathews Bridge, Arlington Expressway, Southside Connector, Merrill Road and Fort Caroline Road. The memorial entrance is on the left after the Fort Caroline Road and Monument Road intersection.
Parking is available for cars and buses or RVs. The site also has accessible restrooms, wheelchair accessibility, large-print materials and a bottle-filling station.
Hours, fees and visitor services
Both are closed on Thanksgiving, December 25 and January 1.
Opening hours
- Wednesday to Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
- Monday and Tuesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
There is no fee to visit any part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. The Ribault Monument is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Check the official site before you go.
FAQs
Is Fort Caroline part of the Timucuan preserve?
Yes. Fort Caroline National Memorial is part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in Jacksonville.
Is there an admission fee?
No. The National Park Service says there is no fee to visit any part of the preserve.
Can you walk from Fort Caroline to the Theodore Roosevelt Area?
A boardwalk trail connects the Theodore Roosevelt Area with Fort Caroline. It can also be reached from a parking lot near the preserve headquarters off Mount Pleasant Road.