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Sept. 4, 2020

Jacksonville is home to the largest urban parks in the US.

The parks are all family-friendly and there are many activities you can do. You can enjoy the riverfront’s majestic views, bike in the nature trails, kayak in the marshes and wetlands, surf in the region’s oceans, paddleboard in the freshwater lagoons, or visit Jacksonville’s unique wildlife.

Below are some of the noteworthy parks you can visit in Jacksonville.

National Parks

1. Fort Caroline National Park

When you visit this park, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. The park is the exact replica of the fort where the French colonists settled in 1564. You’ll be able to see cannons, flags and a wonderful view of the St. Johns River.

Located inside the park is the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center. You can visit the center to learn more about the French and Spanish rivalry during the 16th century.

Here, you can also take a hike, surrounded by oaks, in the park’s 1.3-mile loop trail.

2. Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

This is Jacksonville’s largest park, spanning 46,000 acres. It’s a must-see area surrounded by unique wildlife, wetlands, marshes, historic sites, beautiful beaches and sea islands. Aside from seeing old Florida in the Timucuan Preserve, you can also enjoy a wide-range of activities. For example, you can go biking, swimming, kayaking, surfing, fishing, hiking or camping in this park.

3. Kingsley Plantation

This place was first built in 1798 and it’s one of Florida’s last remaining plantation homes. One great thing about this place is that park rangers provide guided and audio tours daily. You can take a tour around the slave quarters, Kingsley home and plantation grounds.

Jacksonville State Parks

1. Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park

This Northside park covers 4,000 acres. Here, you can enjoy various activities such as hiking, biking, camping, canoeing or kayaking. You can also go rare bird watching or even equestrian trail riding.

What’s great about this park is that it provides 3-miles of hiking trails and around 13-miles of multi-use trails. This park is also connected to Cedar Point Preserve and Betz Tiger Point.

2. Talbot Islands State Parks

At this park, you can enjoy a unique mix of beaches and coastal woodlands at the Little Talbot and Big Talbot Island. These are one-of-a-kind sights in Northeast Florida. Other must-see spots include the Blackrock Beach and Boneyard.

The park is also a perfect place for kayaking tours, fishing lagoons, biking paths and hiking trails. It also offers camping grounds and opportunities for observing local wildlife.

3. Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park

This park was built in 1862. It used to be a key military camp for both Confederate and Union troops during the Civil War. Since it’s located near St. Johns River’s mouth, it provides easy access to inland areas of Florida’s east coast.

4. Fort George Island Cultural State Park

The park was named after a 1736 fort that was built to defend Georgia’s southern flank. The fort was built when Georgia was still a colony. Nowadays, you can enjoy several activities such as hiking, boating, fishing and off-road bicycling.

One popular attraction is the Ribault Club, which was once an exclusive resort. This park also offers a public boat launch.

5. George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park

This one-mile, pedestrian-only bridge is one of the best fishing areas in Jacksonville. Those who enjoy fishing can catch a wide variety of fish, such as jack, drum, whiting and tarpon. Another great thing about the bridge is that it’s open 24 hours a day, year round.

Jacksonville City Parks

1. Hanna Park

This park’s various beaches are a perfect haven for outdoor lovers. The park offers 1.5 miles of public beach, as well as one of the city’s best surfing spots. It also offers 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, for beginner to expert hikers. Moreover, it provides camping grounds, cabins and a 60-acre lake for fishing and paddleboarding.

2. Huguenot Memorial Park

This is the only Jacksonville beach where you’re free to drive your car into the sand. In this seaside park, you can also see 70 campground sites, picnic areas, a playground and great shore fishing. You can also visit the Great Florida Birding Trail where you get a chance to see 237 bird species.

3. Castaway Island Preserve

You can visit this preserve along the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville’s Southside. In the preserve, you’ll find tidal creeks and salt marshes. You can also explore the local wildlife in its mile-long interactive boardwalk trail. The preserve also offers public canoe or kayak launch.

4. Dutton Island Preserve

In this Atlantic Beach park, you’ll find 2 miles of nature trails, a canoe/kayak launch and a fishing pier. It also has pavilions, picnic and camping areas for the whole family to enjoy. This is also a great place to take sunset photos.

5. Jacksonville Arboretum

This is one of the best hidden outdoor spots in Jacksonville. It’s located in the historic Arlington neighborhood. You can enjoy Arboretum’s various ecosystems, great hiking trails, local wildlife and natural streams. It also offers a beautiful pond covered in lilies. Not to mention, Arboretum is pet-friendly and ideal for family hiking trips.

6. Fort Family Regional Park at Baymeadows

This Southside park spans 52-acres. It’s perfect for various fun-filled activities with the family. The park offers tennis courts, a soccer field, a playground, walking trails and covered picnic areas. You can also find a lake that’s perfect for fishing and relaxing.

Bottom Line

Jacksonville is home to a wide variety of national, state and city parks. It’s what makes Jacksonville such a unique place. Any of the aforementioned Jacksonville parks would be perfect for you and your family to spend the day.