Fort Caroline National Memorial - Facilities

Fort Caroline National Memorial by National Parks Service

Fort Caroline Exhibit and Nature Trail

Open

Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone

(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

Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Phone

(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

Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Phone

(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

Open from sunrise to sunset, however restroom facilities are only open between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Phone

(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

Open All Year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone

(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.