Jacksonville Parks

The Jacksonville parks figure among the city's top attractions. This has a lot to do with the fact that Jacksonville claims the largest park system in the US. When looking for a park in Jacksonville Florida to visit, you might find it hard to decide where to go first, as there are many that beg attention. One of the more alluring parks in the city is Huguenot Memorial Park, which enjoys a privileged oceanfront location. Hanging out on the beach and doing a little surfing figure among the top things to do at Huguenot Memorial Park, and if you enjoy birdwatching, then you will be happy to hear that the park is a Great Florida Birding Trail site.

Huguenot Memorial Park can be found on Fort George Island to the northeast of downtown Jacksonville. Coincidentally, this island is also home to the Kingsley Plantation, which is a Jacksonville attraction that history buffs won't want to miss. In addition to relaxing on a pristine beach and trying your hand at surfing, your visit to Huguenot Memorial Park can see you fishing, launching a boat for a pleasure cruise, or picnicking with friends and family, among other things. When the sun starts to go down, you don't have to leave the park if you don't want to. The waterfront campsites can make for ideal overnight bases for nature enthusiasts, and the park is conveniently outfitted with restrooms and shower facilities.

You aren't bound to have time to make it around to all the Jacksonville Parks, in which case you might focus on some of the more renowned ones. Metropolitan Park is one of the more notable parks in Jacksonville, and it's easy to access if you are staying at one of the downtown Jacksonville hotels. Situated on the banks of the St. Johns River, Metropolitan Park is an ideal place to take a breather in the heart of the city. Numerous annual events take place at Metropolitan Park, and if you plan on visiting during the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, you'll want to head here at some point to catch some of the performances at the Performance Pavilion.

Families who are looking for a good downtown park in Jacksonville Florida will do well to check out Kids Kampus, which is a ten-acre park that duals as an educational playground. You'll find a small replica of downtown Jacksonville here, as well as open-air classrooms that are used for special learning sessions. There's even a small water park here, and while it doesn't rival Adventure Landing in Jacksonville Beach, it's a good place to cool off on warm days.

There are too many Jacksonville parks to list, and when you also consider the state and national parks that can be found at nearby destinations like Talbot Island and Amelia Island, the choices only increase. Camping is often possible at a state or national park in Jacksonville Florida, so you will want to keep that in mind when looking for campgrounds. Little Talbot Island State Park, for example, offers some attractive campsites.

While some of the Jacksonville parks will be ideal for recreational activities like hiking and fishing, others offer historical attractions that provide visitors with insight into Florida's past. One such park is the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, which covers 46,000 acres. This national park boasts historic buildings, many of which are old homes, and for those who are interested in natural history, there are exhibits that highlight that as well.