Close to town in a beautiful site along the St. Johns River. Pleasant short walks, an interesting museum, picnic tables on the bluff overlooking the river. Perfect for a short spontaneous afternoon outing. Longer hikes at Spanish Pond, which is just across the street.

The fort itself was under construction but it was a beautiful walk and the information stations were still available with lots of history.

We enjoyed a quiet walk around the park. We had a nice conversation with Mr. Salestrom, one of the park rangers. He stopped to talk with us about the improvements going on. Lots of history there with cannons, huts and old concrete ovens.

A small but beautiful National Park site. There was a small gift shop and museum in the main building. A beautiful and peaceful trail that runs along the St. Johns River that leads to an old fort. A few things to read to learn about the history of what you are seeing. After you leave the fort there is a nice trail that loops round for a nice little walk.

Nature trail was nice to get out and stretch the legs. It will be nice to come back and see it when the renovation is complete.

Great free, outdoor adventure for the little ones. Easy access, nice cool bathrooms, water fountains to fill your water bottles, mini museum with some hands on stuff for kids. Short but interesting hike to the fort with several walkouts to see the river. Couldnt ask for more.

Great place to walk the trails. The fort is open but under construction. One small area on the trail was wet. We had soggy shoes afterwards

It we a nice area to look around. There was some on going construction that limited where we could go and it is fairly small compared to some of the other forts I have visited. They do have interesting info displayed and I was impressed by the Eagle Scout projects to mount the cannons on. The area was shady so it was not too hot and the inside hand different info and displays with a small gift shop.

Beautiful and not far outside the city. Take walking shoes

Nice clean and well maintained historical park with trails and information center.

Great part of history! The kids earned a Junior ranger badge, the volunteer was very knowledgeable about the hiking trails and the history of the place. Little museum inside the visitor center and a nice short but slightly hilly walk to the example of the fort. Currently under reconstruction but still worth it.

The Visitors Center does double duty as a Visitors Center and Museum for both the Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve and the Fort Caroline National Memorial. The fort itself is a recreation and located a short distance down a trail behind the Visitors Center. Although its currently being repaired due to Hurricane damage, its well maintained. This site is very much worth visiting to learn about the French colonial presence in the southeast during the 1600s and 1700s.

Not the original fort. Interesting information on the battle. Nice views.

Just so happened there was an event (4/13) the first time I visited this park! It was beautiful, great layout and very well kept with a small but high quality indoor historical display about the region and its history to the broader region like St Augustine.

Take the family to beautiful Fort Caroline for a slice of Florida history. Enjoy hiking trails, the old fort, and the scenic view of the river . Visitor center, restrooms and picnic tables are also available

Its a nice place to see, not much to do although. It brings thoughts to my mind about how people can come from one country, land on there shores, plant a flag and claim it as there own with no regard to the actual natives that live there. The land here was fought over by different countries with many on all sides giving up lives and removing or enslaving the natives. Life was hard here I would imagine, the bugs must have been horrible, but they would have had a great beach and fishing.

Great place. The history of this national monument is so entwined with fort frederica, and Castillo de san Marcos. Tragic history but this was the new world. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Great displays and beautiful location.

Stopped by on Saturday. I am a longtime Jacksonville resident and have not visited the Fort Caroline Memorial. It is an excellent place to learn some Jacksonville history. One of the volunteers provided a lot of information regarding the attacks between the French and the Spanish in the region. There is a small museum with displays and a short trail along the St Johns River leads to the fort area. Which is wooden walls, a few cannons, and some information displays, I was surprised with the brutality of it all, where civilians were attacked. There was a nature trail a little over a mile. There were longer trails but that will have to wait until next time. While the fort area is not as impressive as Fort Clinch or The Castillo de San Marcos it definitely has some impressive history and its free. Definitely worth the visit.

My first national park, which I’m ashamed of but also happy for! It was a beautiful 1.5 mile hike with our dog who was recently cleared of heartworms, with a medium level of elevation change (85) for the Florida hiker. Would definitely come back to for the beauty and the location as well as the quiet time.

Beautiful site...one of Floridas must see

What a great park, lots of history to learn. We spent about 2 hours here. If your in the area and you like history check this place out.

Beautiful place, lots of history. To bad the museum is closed for COVID.

A very informative and educational visitors center. Here you will find parking, brochures on the area, restrooms and water fountains along with the park rangers station. Inside there is a walk through exhibit of the natural resources and animals of the region in addition to the history of the Fort and native people. From here, you can take two different trails. Both equipped with resting benches along the routes. This is also where youll find the short walk that leads to the replica of the Fort itself. If youre looking for a mini getaway from it all for a little while, this is a good spot to do it. Bring water, some insect repellant and wear some suitable shoes if youre planning to hike.

Wonderful little historical site. The docents were very helpful. Lots of information, both on the history of the site and the surrounding wildlife.

Great place and free to get in. Highly suggest checking it out

Learn all about the first European settlement in the new world. This settlement was founded by the French in 1562, one year before St. Augustine. Beautiful trails to hike on with amazing views of St. Johns River.

This is a nice place to visit. Dont forget to get your National Park passport stamped!

Was one of the most solemn and splendid times I ventured out to the site! It was thoroughly enjoyed with this lovely lady.

This place is really cool. We came out on a Sunday and by luck encountered a matchlock mania demonstration where a reenactor fired a 16th century matchlock gun. There is a lot of hidden history in this region and you get to learn a lot about the French hugenots, Spanish settlers, and the native Timucuan people. My family had a great time!

A good place to visit and walk trails

The trail was shady, and the memorial is interesting. I recommend taking some bug spray if you decide to hike during mosquito season!

Great park to walk the dogs !

You have to go find this great spot! Such great history and views, right on the St Johns River.

Unfortunately when I came here it was under construction due to destruction from a hurricane. But I still watched the ships and walked the small path and enjoyed the warm winter Floridian day.

Spent about 2 hours here. Theres a simple small exhibit, the fort and a 1mi hike. Spolier alert!! The Spanish pond trails are right across the street, perfect for jogging.

Located in a really pleasant spot with some fun walks through Timucuan. Close to Jacksonville. Worth a stop for the history and the scenery in the ecological reserve.

Great place for a short 1hr hike, beautiful views and the memorial thats worth seeing and reading about.

Hammock Nature Trail, fairly short, easy and enjoyable walk. Nice little museum. The fort replica is disappointing.

Safe place & gorgeous trails.

Great historical site. Take the trail for a nature walk.

Beautiful national park. On one side, theres several longer trails that leads to a tower that looks over the marshes. On the other side, theres 1 smaller trail and a small fort. The fort was damaged during the last hurricane, but still accessible. Theres also a short pier with a nice view of the St Johns river. Its dog friendly, they even have some dog poo trash cans.My family loves it and we go all the time.

Beautiful hiking trails with well groomed trails. A mock fort. Picnic area.

Love this place. Going back this weekend to explore some more. Trails. Great views. History. Great park staff.

Nice park. Short walking trail very shady. One of the Rangers was doing a demo on how the indians made their canoes by buring the cut out area. Was so cool. Theyre working on the Fort but you can still walk around the areas they arent working on at the time. Best part...its all FREE!!

Another interesting national park on the Florida East Coast

Great place to take the family. It was very quite and serene. Some advice if you are taking a stroller, make sure it is a big wheel, if not some of the roots on the trail will make it slightly more difficult.

A beautiful park. Very well maintained. Our grandson enjoyed the Jr. Ranger program.

This is a great place to go hiking. Parking is free. There is no public restrooms.

A lovely walk, interesting bird life, and some interesting history.It would be a great place to take children.

Beautiful views and trails .. Great for family time and exercise. Pet friendly..

A great spot a little off the beaten path to step back into time and enjoy the coastal landscape - fun for young kids to explore

My son loved this fort!We stopped here in the middle of a road trip. The park was a nice place to stretch our legs. The rangers were friendly and helpful and knew how to get my son engaged in the history of the center, as well as tell about the surrounding nature.

Beautiful National Park close to Downtown Jacksonville. The park is loaded with wooded trails. Nice views.

Nice historical place, clean and not to crowded .... Certainly in need of some improvements but overall a nice place to walk and see a bit of history.

Great place to visit!

Great trails and an educational visitor center.

Nicely maintained park with a small visitors center and museum. There are a couple of nature trails, each about a mile long. Not far from the visitors center is a fortification that is a best guess on the design of the original fort. In addition, the park has a short pier that extends out into the St Johns River.

Very nice small fort right on the water front. Nature trail and dogs allowed.

I absolutely loved walking through the neture trail. It was so scenic. We even saw some dolphins swimming by! It was very exciting

It is a good place to learn about the native Americans who lived here, plus the history of the area after Europeans arrived.

History at its best! The first settlement in the USA. Two month before the Spaniard in Saint Augustine.

A well-managed fort-park attached to a large preserve.

If you love history go! If you love nature go! Wonderful place.

An interesting recreation of the Fort and a time long ago returned to the wild. Over a 40 thousand acres preserve with trails filled with French and Spanish history - some very brutal.

The Resident Barn Owl and The Bald eagles nest.

This is a nice memorial to the landing on the St. Johns River. They have a small visitor center and several trails to different observational areas.

Cool place to bring the kids,but bring bug spray.

One of my Favorite hiking trails!!!!

Nice area, decent parking. The fort itself is a bit disappointing; its a large (1/3?) scale replica of the original. Honestly, it seemed a bit cheesy. Go for the nature, not the history.

Will be excited to see once the Fort is finished

Love this place! Great for kids, nice nature trail! Make sure to get your passport book stamped!!

A very interesting place.

Its a beautiful place to take a walk through nature on a nice day.

My family history is tied to this location.

One of the most beautiful places in Jacksonville. Its hard to believe this is 15 minutes from Downtown. From the Fort area and the trails that lead from there to the Spanish Pond trails Fort Caroline is an simply amazing experience. The views are gorgeous , the birding is great and the serenity is spectacular. Its amazing to have a National Park in your backyard, you owe it to yourself to visit.

Nice place to relax, walk and take your dog.

Great history beautiful grounds

Love visiting here! Its informative as well as enjoyable! You will love the environment. The fort is by the inlet, even an outdoor oven! The trails are nice to walk also.

Great walking trails here and across the street at Spanish Pond. They are currently Aug 2019 doing some renovations but are still open. Stop by on Sundays for a musket firing demonstration. Learn about the French settlements in Florida.

My place of peace

Make the time to go see this nifty piece of history! Lovely area, easy to walk.

My favorite hike in all of Jax is the Timucuan Trail.

Very cool place, if you enjoy Florida history this place has quite a story! It has a neat little museum, walking trails, and beautiful views over the St. Johns river. A nice place to spend an hour or two on a sunny spring afternoon.

Fort Carolina was ok. Not alot to see. But did enjoy the tug boat moving some barges round.

Great view and a very nice breeze

Terrific visitors interpretive center with many unique artifacts and beautiful display boards. Small museum store with nice items for sale. The park volunteers man the center and are very helpful. This is a great place to start your tour of the fort and grounds along with Ribault Column and Spanish Pond.

Was nice. They are doing construction on the fort at this time.

The bugs were bad when I went. It made it very difficult to enjoy and read the information to learn about the site. Drain the mote.

Rangers very knowledgeable and friendly. Great place to visit with kids or an impromptu adventure.

Really cool nature park. The coolest part about this nature preserve is you will actually see all sorts of different wildlife. Turtles, rabbits,salamanders,raccoons butterflies. I could go on and on but, you get the point. The only thing I recommend is that you dont leave any visible purses, wallets etc. My car was broken into while on the trails once. Other than that this is a great place to take a hike and escape the city life for a while.

Great historical experience for the whole family. And a live black powder demo in full uniforms. Awesome.

Great park but currently under renovation of the fort area.

Lots of fun. Kids can earn a Jr Ranger badge. Great hike through the woods, beautiful view from the fort. Fun times.

Cool historic place. There are good trails as well. It is never very crowded.

Great spot to get out and move around. The view across the river is a lot nicer since they brought down the coal stacks also.

Borrrriiinnngg!!! The Fort has a sign thats States this isnt where the fort was and probably wasnt what it looked like. The sign goes on to say that the Fort was built only to support the fort story... its awful and the construction isnt complete. The only good thing about this place is the nature trails.

The fort is currently under reconstruction, but the trails are still open. Great views of the river and a great educational experience for all ages.

Great educational tour and refresher to anyone that needs an update.

Great tour and information about the big cats. All seemed happy and well cared for. Would love to go back to witness the night feeding.

Interesting historical spot. Nice views of the St. Johns River. Informative visitors center.