Fort Caroline is one of the places that I have been visiting since my childhood. In fact, it’s only about 10 minutes from the house I grew up in. Fort Caroline is known as the Atlantis of Florida because nobody knows where its actual location truly was. Perhaps, it was actually hidden in the woods in my backyard the whole time!
When most people think about forts in northeast Florida, they picture the Spanish fortress Castillo de San Marcos or the Civil War era Fort Clinch. It is often forgotten that the French had a short tenure in the area before they were almost completely wiped out by the Spanish.
The French in Florida
In 1562, the French landed on the banks of the St. Johns River in present-day northeast Florida. The encampment was to be a safe haven for Huguenots who were being persecuted in France because they were Protestants, rather than Catholics.
The Huguenots were led by explorer Jean Ribault who reportedly landed less than 1 mile from Huguenot Memorial Park. Ribault and his men established the settlements of Charlesfort and Fort Caroline (both named in honor of his king, King Charles).
The French came into conflict with the Spanish who established St. Augustine in 1565. Fort Caroline was ambushed by the Spanish, led by Pedro Menendez de Aviles on September 20th. The Spanish killed everyone but 50 women and 26 escapees. The French settlement in Florida came to a bloody end and the Spanish occupied the site as San Mateo until 1569.
What is Fort Caroline National Memorial?
The exact location of the fort is unknown. In 1953 the National Park Service established the Fort Caroline National Memorial along the southern bank of the St. John’s River near a point that commemorates René Goulaine de Laudonnière’s first landing. This structure is a replica of the fort, based on sketches of the 16th-century structure and believed to be a one-third scale model of the original. It is surrounded by hiking trails and other noteworthy historical sites on the 46,000-acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
The preserve includes; the Theodore Roosevelt Area, with five different Florida ecosystems visible in one hike; the Fort George Island Visitor Center, which describes the natural and cultural history of the preserve’s island home; and Kingsley Plantation, which includes the oldest standing plantation house in Florida as well as several original slave quarters. One of our favorite local beaches, Blackrock, is also part of this preserve.
Visiting the Fort Caroline National Memorial
Fort Caroline is easily accessible, although it does require a short walk down a well-beaten path through the woods to access to fort.
Along the way, visitors will pass recently renovated replicas of Timucua structures including two huts and a canoe made out of a hulled-out tree. The Timucua were indigenous people that live in Northeast and North Central Florida and Southeast Georgia. The Huguenots befriended the Timucua and these structures serve as a symbol of their relationship.
The triangular wooden open-air structure is located on the banks of the St. Johns River. Throughout the fort, you’ll find signage explaining the history of the French Huguenots and their short stint in Florida.
Our kids had a blast climbing the steps, pretending to fire the cannons, and running up and down the embankments.
Fort Caroline is pet-friendly. In fact, our pups love hanging out at the fort and spending time on the trails nearby. If you bring your pooch, please make sure they are on a 6-foot leash, and be sure to clean up after then.
There’s an easy-to-moderate 1.3 mile hiking trail that loops from the parking lot, past the Timucua structures, by the fort, through the woods, and back to the parking lot. The trail is easy to navigate and is quite enjoyable
Visitors Information
Physical Address:
12713 Fort Caroline Road
Jacksonville, FL 32225
Phone:
904-641-7155
Things to Know Before Visiting Fort Caroline
The Best Time to Visit Fort Caroline National Monument
The best time to visit is in the winter or spring when the weather is cooler and the bugs aren’t nearly as bad.
Entrance Fees
There is no fee to enjoy this park.
Cell Service
We had great cell service during our visit to the park.
Parking
Parking for Fort Caroline is plentiful. It can be found directly in front of the Visitor’s Center.
Pet Policy
Pets are allowed on all trails and outside areas however, they are not permitted indoors.
Distance from Major Cities
- Orlando, FL – 145 miles
- Tampa, FL – 225 miles
- Miami, FL – 355 miles
- Atlanta, GA – 360 miles
- Charlotte, NC – 390 miles
- Birmingham, AL – 505 miles
Distance from Nearby National Parks
- Everglades National Park – 390 miles
- Congaree National Park – 285 miles
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 475 miles
- Biscayne National Park – 395 miles
- Dry Tortugas National Park – 520 miles
Save a Pin & Start Planning Your Adventure!
