Best National Parks Near Jacksonville
National Parks near Jacksonville. There’s so much more to this beautiful state than Disneyworld. In this article, we’ll familiarize you with the incredible national park sites that are within a six hour drive of Jacksonville, Florida.
There are 9 national park sites for you to see on your next visit to the Sunshine State.
I’ve been to so many of these amazing places since retiring from teaching in 2018. Did I mention that I taught history? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind these momentous sites. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing the stories of these incredible places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!
To be clear, this list includes national park sites (as in sites managed by the National Park Service) as well as full-fledged national parks. To learn more about the difference between the various National Park Service designations check out our article that explains everything!
Now let’s go ahead with 9 reasons why you’ll want to make a drive of six hours (or less) from Jacksonville to visit one of these amazing places.
Table Of Contents: National Parks Near Jacksonville
- Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Jacksonville?
- Meet The Parks Brothers
- Everglades National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Canaveral National Seashore
- Fort Matanzas National Monument
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- De Soto National Memorial
- Fort Caroline National Memorial
- Map Of National Parks Near Jacksonville
Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Jacksonville?
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. My sons have spent their entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
As for me, I’m a retired lifelong educator and a proud dad of these two wonderful guys who are hopelessly obsessed with the national parks. I taught history for over a quarter of a century. Now I enjoy researching and writing articles for More Than Just Parks. I’m always on the hunt for topics where nature and history intersect so please feel free to share any ideas that you might have with me.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Meet The Parks Brothers
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
Best National Parks Near Jacksonville
1. Everglades National Park
Distance From Jacksonville: Five hours & 33 minutes via I-95 South & Florida’s Turnpike.
I retired as a teacher so that I could join my two sons on an incredible adventure bringing America’s national treasures to life. So let’s go!
Known for its reptiles, Everglades National Park represents the best chance people have to see the American Alligator in a national park.
While the park itself is actually quite massive (third largest in the lower 48), the hike-able regions of it are somewhat limited.
The best user experience is on a boat and the most popular iteration of this is the fan boat where folks can travel at high speeds and cover a lot of ground.
One of Florida’s many parks, the Everglades is a great addition to any south Florida trip.
2. Biscayne National Park
Distance From Jacksonville: Five hours & 35 minutes via I-95 South & Florida’s Turnpike.
Biscayne is a snorkelers & divers dream with an immense diversity of underwater sea life begging to be explored.
While this park is not really a hikers park with more than 90% of it being underwater, it is a unique addition to the National Park System that is a great addition to a south Florida trip.
If you love boating then check out A Paddler’s Guide to Everglades National Park by Johnny Molloy. It offers important information for boaters (tidal activity, campsites, routes to avoid, what to pack, wind challenges, approximate paddling time, and much more) and includes detailed maps
Best Things to Do at Biscayne National Park
Scuba Diving is one of Biscayne National Park’s primary activities as 90% of the park is underwater. The reefs here are no stranger to the adverse effects of climate change as the entire ecosystem is under threat.
Boating is another great way to see and explore the park. Biscayne is full of beautiful mangrove swamps which are best viewed by kayak or canoe.
RELATED: 11 EPIC Florida National Parks Worth Visiting
3. Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Distance From Jacksonville: 19 minutes via Florida 115-S & Fort Caroline Rd.
Timucuan is a beautiful region of coastal wetlands, some of the last of its kind, located near the Florida – Georgia border.
This area is home to wonderfully preserved coastal dunes (similar to what you might find on Cumberland Island), vast salt marshes, white sand beaches, and hardwood forests.
Things To Do
Theodore Roosevelt Area – This 600 acre natural area features great hiking trails amongst a wonderful hardwood forest.
Kingsley Plantation – This 19th century plantation tells the history of the plantation era on Fort George Island from the perspective of the folks who owned enslaved people as well the enslaved people themselves.
If you’re looking to make the most of your Florida adventure then I recommend Florida Bucket List Adventure Guide & Journal: Explore 50 Natural Wonders You Must See! It’s truly the ultimate dreamland for free spirits whose soul craves deep connection with nature.
4. Big Cypress National Preserve
Distance From Jacksonville: 5 Hours & 35 minutes via I-95 S. & Florida’s Turnpike.
Famous as one of the final refuges for the once-prevalent Florida panther, the Big Cypress National Preserve is a vital conservation area.
This massive swamp (729,000 acres) is home to a vast array of wildlife and plant species.
Named for the abundant cypress trees that exist on the preserve, Big Cypress features all sorts of beautiful wetland scenery.
The preserve itself shares a border with Everglades National Park and is worth a stop if you’re in the area!
Highlights
Go Hiking – There are lots of great hikes in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The Kirby Storter Boardwalk is a great entry level quick hike that gives visitors a beautiful glimpse into the preserve.
Canoeing – Perhaps the best way to soak in the scenery Big Cypress National Preserve is via canoe. For everything you need to know about canoeing including where to put in and safety tips visit the Big Cypress NPS canoeing page.
Birding – Big Cypress is home to nearly 200 bird species which makes it a popular spot for birders.
5. Canaveral National Seashore
Distance From Jacksonville: One hour and 50 minutes via I-95 S.
Canaveral National Seashore is world famous for its prime rocket launch viewing but there’s so much more to the park than just that.
This barrier island plays an important role in protecting Florida from storms and harboring a vital ecosystem.
The seashore is home to ancient Native American burial mounds as well as a massive number of plant and animal species.
Canaveral represents an all too rare undeveloped coastline on east coast of the U.S.
RELATED: Miami To Key West Drive: Everything You Need To See
Things to do
Rocket Launch Viewing – Cape Canaveral is one of the best places in the world to watch a rocket blast off into space. As such, the national seashore draws millions of folks for this very reason every year.
Windy Castle Trail – The Windy Castle Trail is a great way to experience the flora and fauna of the region. Be sure to pack mosquito repellent as there is a very high chance you will encounter some on the trail.
6. Fort Matanzas National Monument
Distance From Jacksonville: 56 minutes via I-95 S.
Fort Matanzas is an approximately 300 acre park that preserves an 18th century watchtower, coastal wetlands, marsh lands, maritime forest, and more.
The fort itself is really cool to visit even if you’re not a history buff. It was built by the Spanish in 1742.
With it’s location right near St. Augustine, this is a great addition to a trip in the area. Great for children too!
things to see & do there
Tour the Coquina Watchtower – The focal point of the park is the 18th century watchtower. Touring this amazing piece of history is something you have to do if you visit the park.
Nature Trail – The nature trail is another great and easy activity. The trail features all of the local flora and fauna and gives visitors an idea of what the ecosystem is like.
If you love history as much as I do then I recommend History of Florida: A Captivating Guide to the People and Events That Shaped the History of the Sunshine State.
7. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Distance From Jacksonville: 50 minutes via I-95 S.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves an incredible 17th century structure that is the oldest existing masonry fort in the continental US.
The fort itself has a dark history (especially under American control) having been used by the United States to imprison Native Americans including Chief Osceola and Geronimo.
Best Thing to Do at Castillo De San Marcos
Tour the Fort – Touring Castillo de San Marcos is a lot of fun and a great activity for families visiting the St. Augustine area.
8. De Soto National Memorial
Distance From Jacksonville: Four hours via US-301 S & I-75 S.
The De Soto National Memorial recognizes the arrival of conquistador Hernando de Soto to the Tampa Bay Area.
The site tells the story of the indigenous people who resisted his conquest of their native homeland.
This park is a great place for families and makes a great day trip from the Tampa Bay area.
highlights
Living History Demonstrations – The National Park Service does a wonderful job of reenacting and recreating what life might have been like for the Spanish and natives through their living history programs.
9. Fort Caroline National Memorial
Distance From Jacksonville: 20 minutes via FL-115 S. & Fort Caroline Rd.
Whereas most folks think of the Spanish when they hear about an historical fort in Florida, Fort Caroline happens to be French.
The story of the settlement here is a short and failed one.
The basic history is that France, wanting to expand its empire like the Spanish, attempted to establish a foothold in America to capture some of the areas riches. It didn’t go so well for France.
The national park site is still a great one to visit, perfect for families.
Map Of National Parks Near Jacksonville
List Of National Park Sites Near Jacksonville
- Everglades National Park
- Biscayne National Park
- Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Canaveral National Seashore
- Fort Matanzas National Monument
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- De Soto National Memorial
- Fort Caroline National Memorial
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We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
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