Fort Caroline National Memorial

Activity Overview

Fort Caroline National Memorial is a site in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve which serves as a memorial to Fort Caroline, the first French colony in what is now the United States. Fort Caroline was established in 1564, but within a year it fell to Spanish occupation. Today, visitors can learn all about the history of Fort Caroline in the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center, as well as learn about the natural environment of northeast Florida and its use by humans since prehistoric times.

Things to Do

• Explore this historic area while on a family hike through the preserve! The National Park Service website provides helpful trail guides and checklists of birds and flora and fauna if you want to do some nature watching.
• Stop by the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center at the Fort Caroline National , where you can see the Where the Waters Meet exhibit, which focuses on the natural history of the area.
• Enjoy the views from the water - you can rent a kayak or a canoe, or spend the day at the beach.

Fort Caroline National Memorial Insider Tips

• Spend the entire weekend in the great outdoors by camping at one of the two campgrounds in the area.
• While you're in the park, consider taking a tour of Kingsley Plantation, where you can see the plantation house, the slave quarters, and an interpretive garden as you learn about its history.
• Visit American Beach on Amelia Island, where you can learn about this historic beach that was created during the segregation era.