Jacksonville is well-known for its beaches, green spaces, and numerous beautiful parks. With over 400 parks to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to spend your time. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 most popular parks in Jacksonville.
Popular Parks in Jacksonville
1. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Located on the Atlantic coast, this 1.5-mile beach park is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing. The park also features a freshwater lake, hiking and biking trails, and open-ground campsites. With plenty of activities to offer, Hanna Park is certainly one of the most popular parks in Jax.
Hanna Park is open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM during the months of April to October. From November to March, the park closes early, from 8 AM to 6 PM only. If you’re interested, here is a trail map of the park.
Address: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville
Operating Hours: Opens daily (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Admission fee:
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- $3 per pedestrian and bicyclist 8 am to close
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- $5 per car (up to six people) 8 am to close
Phone no: (904) 255-6767
2. James Weldon Johnson Park (formerly Hemming Park)
Located in the heart of downtown Jacksonville, the James Weldon Johnson Park (formerly known as Hemming Park) is a popular venue for events, concerts, and gatherings. The park now features two performance stages, a cafe, an outdoor dining area, a kid-friendly area with a turf play area, beautiful landscaping, and various public art projects. Weekdays at the park often include live music and food trucks, while weekends are usually for festivals and markets. Check out all upcoming events in the park here.
Address: 135 W. Monroe Street Jacksonville
Operating Hours: Opens daily (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Admission fee: Free when there is no event
Phone no: (904) 515-5098
Website: https://jamesweldonjohnsonpark.org/
3. Friendship Fountain
Friendship Fountain is a beautiful riverfront park that features a large fountain and scenic views of the St. Johns River. It covers an area of about 2.5 acres and offers beautiful views of the St. Johns River and the downtown Jacksonville skyline. The park is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, and it is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the riverfront. Be part of the thousands and thousands of people who have taken beautiful postcard photos of this park.
Address: 1015 Museum Cir, Jacksonville
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission fee: Free
Phone no: (904) 630-2489
4. Memorial Park
Memorial Park is a historic public park located in Jax’s Riverside neighborhood. It is dedicated to the 1000+ Florida soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. The park features a central fountain surrounded by a plaza, walk paths, benches, statues, and a large bronze sculpture created by sculptor Charles Adrian Pillars. The park is known for its beautiful riverfront views, sculpted gardens, and shaded walkways, and is regarded by many locals as a popular spot for outdoor activities like jogging, picnicking, and dog-walking. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a beloved and iconic public park.
Address: 1620 Riverside Ave, Jacksonville
Operating Hours: Opens daily (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
Admission fee: Free
Phone no: (904) 630-2489
Website: https://memparkjax.org/
5. Oceanfront Park
Oceanfront Park is a public beachfront park with a playground, picnic areas, and restrooms. It offers a beautiful stretch of sand on the Atlantic Ocean, making it perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and strolling on the pier. The park has a Beaches Veterans Memorial, with a large soldier statue and engraved bricks to honors veterans. With many shops and restaurants nearby, and trained lifeguardsare on duty during the summer months, it’s one of the best and safest parks in Jax to visit with family.
Address: 429 1st St South, Jacksonville Beach
Operating Hours: Opens daily (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
Admission fee: Free
Phone no: (904) 247-6236
Website: https://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/Facilities
6. Little Talbot Island State Park
Little Talbot Island spans over 2,500 acres and features three miles of unspoiled beaches, abundant wildlife, and plenty of recreational opportunities. The park is a popular destination for camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and bird watching. It also has over five miles of hiking trails that offer scenic views of the island’s maritime forests, salt marshes, and dunes. Additionally, the park offers 40 campsites for tent and RV camping, making it an ideal location for overnight stays. Little Talbot Island State Park is a perfect getaway for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the barrier island environment.
Address: 12157 Heckscher Drive Jacksonville
Operating Hours: Open daily (from 8 a.m. to sunset)
Admission fees:
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- $5 per vehicle (up to eight people).
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- $4 single-occupant vehicle.
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- $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Phone no: (904) 251-2320
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/little-talbot-island-state-park
7. South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground
South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground is a public park situated along the Atlantic Ocean, and it features a wide range of amenities for visitors to enjoy. The park covers over 14 acres of land and includes a large playground with swings, slides, and other equipment for children to play on. It also has picnic areas, walking and biking trails, and a fishing pier that extends out into the ocean. The park is a popular destination for families, tourists, and locals looking to enjoy a day at the beach.
Address: 2514 S Beach Pkwy, Jacksonville Beach
Operating Hours: Opens daily (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Admission fee: Free
Phone no: (904) 247-6100
8. Ed Austin Regional Park
This popular park features a wide range of recreational facilities and activities, including sports fields for baseball, softball, soccer, and football, as well as tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and a disc golf course. It also has picnic areas and a playground for children. In addition, the Ed Austin Regional Park offers several amenities for outdoor enthusiasts like a lake for fishing, walking trails, and a dog park.
Address: 11751 McCormick Rd, Jacksonville
Operating Hours:
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- Monday – Friday (7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
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- Saturday (7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.)
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- Sunday (8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
Phone no: (904) 630-2489
9. Fort Caroline National Memorial
Fort Caroline National Memorial is a historical site in Jax, commemorating the French attempt to establish a colony in the area in the 16th century. The site includes a replica of Fort Caroline (because the original fort was destroyed by the Spanish), a visitor center with exhibits, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks. Visitors can learn about the French and Timucuan history of the area through guided tours and educational programs. The park is open year-round and is a great destination for history enthusiasts and those interested in early colonial history.
Address: Arlington, Jacksonville
Operating Hours: Opens Wednesday – Sunday (9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Phone no: (904) 641-7155
Website: https://www.nps.gov/timu/learn/historyculture/foca_visiting.htm
10. Castaway Island Preserve
The Castaway Island Preserve features a 1.5-mile hiking trail that winds through a wetland preserve, where visitors can observe a wide variety of plant and animal species in their natural habitats. The trail leads to a beautiful observation tower that provides views of the surrounding landscape.
Aside from this, Castaway Island Preserve also offers a boardwalk for fishing, as well as a kayak launch that provides access to the nearby marshes and waterways, a picnic area, and a playground for children, as well as an outdoor fitness zone for those who want to get in some exercise. The park is open year-round and is free to the public.
Address: 2885 San Pablo Rd S, Jacksonville
Operating Hours: Opens daily (7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Admission fee: Free
Phone no: (904) 630-2489
Website: https://www.timucuanparks.org/parks/castaway-island-preserve/
Whether you are looking for a quiet picnic spot or a full day of adventure, these 10 most popular parks in Jacksonville have you covered. With so many wonderful parks to explore, Jacksonville is a true outdoor lover’s paradise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most parks in Jacksonville do not charge an entrance or admission fee. They are open to the public and are free to use. However, most parks in Jax remain open for a limited time only. After a certain time, the parks do close and open again the following day. Some parks will charge for parking or for letting you bring in large vehicles.
There are more than 400 different parks in Jacksonville, so forget about visiting all of them in a day. If you are only staying in Jax for a few days, consider checking out the at least the top 10 most popular parks.
There are parks in Jax that have camping grounds where you can stay and camp overnight. However, apart from these amenities, the rest of the parks are usually off limits already. Most parks though close in late afternoon and open only in the morning the following day.
