PARK CLOSURES, OPENINGS & ONLINE RESOURCES
Public Health & Safety Regarding Coronavirus COVID-19
OPEN: City parks and preserves.
CLOSED: State parks in Jacksonville are open with restrictions. Closing times have changed effective July 27. See below for detail.
ACCESSIBLE National Park sites: Fort Caroline National Memorial and Kingsley Plantation grounds are accessible Wednesday through Sunday starting Oct. 10. Visitor centers and some buildings may not be open.
See below for lists of parks.
Timucuan Parks Foundation is the nonprofit that provides programming, funding, and volunteers for Jacksonville’s natural areas including but not limited to the city’s nature preserves, state parks, and national park sites. Our park partners are City of Jacksonville, Talbot Islands State Parks (Florida State Parks), and the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve (National Park Service). TPF is the official charity partner of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
For more information, please contact us at info @ timucuanparks.org.
WHICH PARKS ARE WHICH
City of Jacksonville/JaxParks
Beaches and city parks reopened April 17, and restrictions to opening times and beach activities were lifted May 6 but social distancing is still in effect. Public restrooms may not be open. Please read below about Hanna Park and Huguenot Memorial Park which have beach access.
Restrictions to opening times and beach activities were lifted May 6 but social distancing is still in effect.
From City of Jacksonville press release:
“Parks that are owned and operated by the City of Jacksonville will resume normal hours starting at 5 p.m. Friday, April 17. However, Mayor Curry’s Executive Order that limits gatherings to fewer than 50 people, still stands. In addition:
- City of Jacksonville golf courses will reopen during normal operating hours, but individuals must follow social distancing requirements
- No overnight camping at Hanna or Huguenot parks is permitted
- Playground amenity usage must follow social distancing requirements
- No organized group activities are permitted – this includes picnics or gatherings, team sports, or any type of group activity
- All park restroom facilities will remain closed
- Pavilions and picnic areas will remain closed”
Social distancing due to the pandemic is still in effect.
- Open seven days a week, 8AM – 8PM* (April 1st – October 30th)
- Open seven days a week, 8AM – 6PM* (October 31st – March 30th)
- 6 – 8AM: Early Bird & annual passes required for early entry, prior purchase required
The main office is open for making camping reservations (also available online) and camping is open at 85% capacity.
Guidelines for park activity:
- Admission fee required for each entry. Annual passes now available for purchase online.
- Pets on a leash are permitted in designated areas.
- Shelters and picnic areas are available up to 50 people.
- Park restrooms are open with the current mask requirements for all public buildings in the park. Portalets are available for use.
- Please follow all CDC guidelines concerning social distancing.
*The front gate closes to entry 30 minutes prior to closing time.
Restrictions to beach activities were lifted May 6 but social distancing is still in effect. The beach and park resumed regular hours Monday, May 4:
6AM – 7PM with admissions closing at 6PM.
No camping, events or shelter rentals.
Please note:
- Admission fee required for each entry
- No pets allowed at the park
- No overnight camping
- No picnics or gatherings
- Picnic pavilions, picnic tables and associated grills are closed
- Park restrooms are closed; Portalets are available for use.
- Please follow all CDC guidelines concerning social distancing.
The front gate closes to entry one (1) hour prior to closing time. The main office will remain closed until further notice, no camping is permitted and reservations are not currently being accepted. They will be unable to sell Annual and Early Bird Passes until the office reopens.
City nature parks and preserves under Timucuan Parks Foundation’s purview that are open with social distancing restrictions:
- Alimacani Park and Boat Ramp
- Betz-Tiger Point Preserve
- Camp Milton Historic Preserve
- Castaway Island Preserve
- Cedar Point Preserve
- Dutton Island Preserve
- Huguenot Memorial Park – see notes in button above.
- Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
- Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve
- Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park – see notes in button above.
- Reddie Point Preserve
- Sal Taylor Creek Preserve
- Seaton Creek Historic Preserve
- Thomas Creek Preserve
Florida State Parks
Effective July 27, 2020: Little Talbot Island State Park is open 8 AM to 5 PM. Normal fees apply.
- Due to local orders, facial coverings or masks are required inside buildings for staff and visitor safety.
- The concession is closed.
- The Fort George Inlet Parking area at the south end of the island is closed.
- Restroom availability may be limited.
- All other park facilities are closed.
- Visitors are expected to maintain distances of at least six feet apart.
Effective May 21, campgrounds will reopen with modified procedures and amenities. Cabins remain CLOSED until June 9.
Effective May 4, these state parks in Jacksonville are OPEN for day use activities as part of phase one of reopening the Florida State Parks. “During this early phase of re-opening, visitors should expect limited hours, capacity and amenities,” according to the state parks safety update page.
- Amelia Island State Park (Nassau County) – Effective Wednesday July 29, park will close at sunset daily.
- Big Talbot Island State Park
- Fort George Island Cultural State Park (Ribault Club open, click Fort George link for hours)
- George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park – Effective July 29, park will close at sunset daily.
- Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park (effective May 5, open for day-use activities)
- Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park
- Little Talbot Island State Park (effective July 27, open hours are 8 AM to 5 PM)
Learn more at the Florida State Parks update page.
ANNUAL ENTRANCE PASS – EXPIRATION EXTENSION
Due to recent statewide park closures from COVID-19, Florida State Parks will honor all current Annual Entrance Passes for 2 months past the marked expiration date. This applies to passes purchased 3/1/2019 – 6/30/2020. Simply present your pass card, like normal, at the time of admission. Please visit the Florida State Parks annual pass page for more details.
National Park Service
The grounds of these sites are ACCESSIBLE Wednesday through Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM, effective October 10:
- Fort Caroline National Memorial – visitor center not accessible. The dock is closed due to damage.
- Kingsley Plantation – visitor center and gift shop not accessible. The dock is closed due to damage.
And the following Timucuan Preserve trails are OPEN sunrise to sunset:
- Trails at Theodore Roosevelt Area and Spanish Pond
- Cedar Point – trails and boat ramp
ONLINE RESOURCES
Reach the parks virtually with these resources as we keep our distance to stop the spread of COVID-19:
VIRTUAL TOURS & PARK VIDEOS
- Take a virtual tour of Kingsley Plantation
- Explore the Timucuan Preserve’s museum collection
- Enjoy a 360° video kayak tour and Timucuan Preserve introduction
- Discover the history of the area’s people
- Schedule a Timucuan Preserve virtual field trip for your class
- Hike virtually through the Theodore Roosevelt Area in the Timucuan Preserve
- See Kingsley Plantation and other sites of Jacksonville’s African-American Heritage Trail
- Jacksonville’s Sense of Place – Timucuan Parks Foundation
- Jacksonville Parks – Explore Our Natural Wonderland
- Exploring Northeast Florida’s Fort Caroline National Memorial
ACTIVITIES
- Junior Ranger program for the Timucuan Preserve and Fort Caroline National Memorial (perfect for kids 4-12)
- Junior Ranger programs for all national parks
- How did the Timucuan make their own pottery? How to make your own.
- What would you write home as a 16th century settler?
- What is Spanish moss?
- Buddy Bison Backyard Bingo
- Explore the pollinators in your backyard
GAMES AND ACTIVITY & COLORING SHEETS
From our friends at the St. Johns River Water Management District and Visit Jacksonville
LESSON PLANS
- Timucuan Preserve curriculum materials
- Kindergarten through 12th-grade lesson plans to assist in teaching various aspects of water resources, from the St. Johns River Water Management District