11 Fun Outdoor Activities in Jacksonville, FL

ByAnna Cook Posted on Updated on

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Did you know that Jacksonville has 22 miles of beaches, the largest urban park system in the US, and warm year-round temperatures?

In other words, there are tons of outdoor activities in Jacksonville and plenty of time to take advantage of them. If you’re only spending a couple days in town though, you don’t want to miss out on the best spots!

I recently visited the area to check out all the fun things to do outside and loved exploring all the parks nearby. Now I’m sharing why you would visit these parks, what to do in each, and who they are best for!

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going! This post is sponsored by Visit Jacksonville. All opinions are my own.

1. Boneyard Beach at Big Talbot Island State Park

Driftwood is scattered all along Boneyard Beach.

If you’re looking for a unique beach in Jacksonville, this is a great pick. Large pieces of driftwood have washed up on the beach for as far as you can see.

You’ll park at the Buccaneer Trailhead where there are picnic shelters and porta johns. As you look toward the ocean, there is a trail to the left of the picnic shelter that you’ll take down to the beach. It takes around 10 minutes to walk down.

The beach stretches for about three miles so there’s plenty of room to meander if you’re a little adventurous. When the tides are in, your feet will definitely get wet as you walk down the beach.

Once you get down to the sand, if you turn right and walk along the coast for about a mile, you’ll come to Blackrock Beach which is one of the most scenic spots in Big Talbot Island State Park.

I started walking down the beach, but it was about an hour until high tide and the waves were already almost touching the bluff, so I decided to turn back just to be safe. The tides could have been higher than normal though, because a hurricane was coming the following day.

Pro tip: Check the tides before walking to Blackrock Beach and BRING BUG SPRAY.

This spot is great for photographers, adventurous spirits, and families as there are tons of things to see along the beach. If you have mobility issues, a small viewpoint above the beach is accessible from the picnic area.

Other popular things to do at Big Talbot Island are biking the Timucuan Trail, paddling, fishing, and more.

2. Little Talbot Island State Park

The Timucuan walking and biking trail will take you through Little Talbot Island State Park and into Big Talbot Island.

If you’re looking to just lounge on the beach, then Little Talbot Island is the place for you. It offers 5 miles of gorgeous beaches and 3 miles of bike trails.

There are multiple large parking areas, one near North Beach Pavilion and a couple near South Beach. Both of these areas have restrooms and pavilions, but you’ll find the ranger station by the North Beach parking area.

You can also rent kayaks or canoes at Long Island Outfitters which is run by Kayak Amelia. Take a self-guided paddle or you can join one of their guided trips.

3. Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park

This view is from the Betz-Tiger Point Preserve which is right beside the Pumpkin Hill Creek Kayak Launch.

Located north of downtown Jacksonville, this is a gorgeous place to go if you want to kayak in a marsh environment.

However, you’ll have to bring your own kayak or paddleboard because there are no rental companies in this immediate area.

This is also a very popular place to hike or bike and Pumpkin Hill borders multiple other city-run preserves which expands their trail system.

The pine flatwoods are a peaceful place to get lost in nature, and you have a good chance of seeing wildlife along the trails too. If you’re into birdwatching, you’ll be in heaven here.

I loved walking out on the marsh overlooks at the Pumpkin Hill Creek Kayak Launch and the Betz-Tiger Preserve next door. I wish I had brought binoculars so I could see the birds better.

4. Jacksonville Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

This gorgeous orchid was blooming when I visited the Arboretum.

Taking advantage of local arboretums and botanical gardens is such an underrated way to get outside in my opinion! The Jacksonville Arboretum was truly beautiful with so many things in bloom.

You’ll find seven different natural trails here that take you through thirteen different ecosystems. I walked the Lake Loop Trail, Lower & Upper Ravine, and the Jones Creek Trail.

I think the Lake Loop and Jones Creek were my favorites, but the entire area was gorgeous. There were lots of blooming flowers along the Lake Loop Trail and the other trails had water features, some live oaks, and wildflowers.

If you are a gardener or love learning more about native plants, then this is for you. It’s also great for anyone looking for short and easy walks with plenty of places to sit and just enjoy nature.

5. Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

I saw so many birds while kayaking around the lake.

This is truly one of the most impressive city parks I’ve seen because there is so much to do here plus it’s huge! The park is 450-acres and you’ll find a beautiful beach, freshwater lake, 20 miles of hiking/biking trails, and camping.

I came here to go kayaking out on the lake where I saw tons of birds, jumping fish, but thankfully no alligators. They are in there, though so keep a lookout for them!

Kayak rentals are $10 for a half hour and I would recommend at least renting them for an hour. There is a lot to explore and you’ll want to enjoy just watching the birds for a bit.

I only had 30 minutes to kayak and I cut the time close paddling to the end of the lake and then back around some of the little “islands.”

You can rent kayaks seasonally (check days and hours on their website) at the Kayak Shack or at Adventure Kayak Florida outpost at the campground. They also rent mountain bikes and offer guided kayaking tours around the lake.

While I was there, there were also tons of people picnicking at the shelters. You’ll find a large Kids Splash Park and playground beside the lake plus a disc golf course.

This park is really great for anyone whether you’re looking for something laid back or an active adventure like kayaking, biking, or hiking.

6. Cradle Creek Preserve

One of the viewing platforms at Cradle Creek.

This is a small preserve with some very pretty boardwalks and a marsh overlook. The parking area is small so you may want to have a back up plan in case it’s full.

If you’re coming from the north, it may be hard to see the parking area but it’s right in a sharp curve within a neighborhood so you’re in the right spot even if it doesn’t look like it.

The walk to the overlook isn’t very long at all and there’s a bench to sit and hang out if you’re into birding and want to wait to see what comes around.

You’ll likely run into some Jacksonville locals out walking their dogs or getting some exercise in while you’re here. If you’re staying in the area and want to get outside for a quick walk/run, this is a great place to do it.

7. Tide Views Preserve

For anyone staying in the beaches area, especially Atlantic, Neptune, or Jacksonville Beach, this is one of the best places to catch a sunrise or sunset.

The preserve sits right on the Intracoastal Waterway and the boardwalks lead you right out over the water so the views are fantastic.

It’s tucked away in a residential area, so the parking lot is a bit small. On the weekends, you want to get there early to make sure you get a spot.

There are a couple different boardwalk options that you can walk out on, but they’re very close to each other so you can easily visit both while you’re there.

8. Jacksonville Beach Pier & The Beaches

It’s hard to beat sunset at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, but sunrise is gorgeous too!

To the east of downtown Jacksonville, you’ll find Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach. I stayed in Jacksonville Beach during my time in the area and loved waking up to the ocean, then exploring the other areas of Jacksonville.

The beaches and the Jacksonville Pier are some of the best places to watch a sunrise in the area. The pier area is also really lively in the evenings and there are volleyball nets set up along Jacksonville Beach where you’ll find people playing.

There are lots of people running, lounging on the beach, and surfing too. The beach gets super busy around sunset as people come out to enjoy the evening.

Beach Life Rentals is located on the beach near the pier where you can rent anything from chairs & umbrellas to kayaks, paddleboards, and surfboards. Fishing rod rentals are available at the pier and you don’t even need a fishing license (it’s covered under the entry fee).

This is a great spot for anyone who just loves enjoying the beach!

9. Kingsley Plantation at Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve

Views of the Timucuan Preserve never got old!

Perfect for any history-buffs, Kingsley Plantation sits right on the Fort George River. There is a great audio tour that explains more about the various buildings and points of interest at the plantation.

Kingsley Plantation is also located along one of the recommended paddling trails. You can put in at the Alimacani Boat Ramp and take out along the beach at the plantation grounds.

This would be a 2 – 3 hour trip, but you need an incoming tide when paddling to the plantation and when the tide drops you can go back to Alimacani.

If you explore the plantation during the morning and want to stay in the A/C during the afternoon, then check out the Saturiwa Driving Trail while you’re out here. It takes you around Ft. George Island.

Sadly, during my trip the Kingsley Plantation was closed but I got to explore a good bit of the Timucuan Preserve and the views are wonderful.

10. Fort Caroline National Memorial

Another great spot for history buffs, Fort Caroline is all about the brief French presence in this area in the sixteenth century.

Outdoor activities here include hiking along nature trails and checking out the observation deck overlooking the St. Johns River. Fort Caroline is also the location of the Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center where you can get your passport stamp if you have a National Parks Passport.

Across the street from the Visitor Center is the Spanish Pond Trail which is a beautiful spot with lots of Spanish moss and saw palmettos along the trail. It leads to a pretty overlook of a small pond. I visited the day after a hurricane came through so I walked the trail until it was flooded and turned back.

Great if you’re looking for easy walks with a nice reward!

11. Southbank Riverwalk

Drone view from the Southbank Riverwalk.

If you’re staying in downtown Jacksonville, this is the quickest and easiest way to get out for a walk. It borders the St. Johns River and offers a great view of the Jacksonville skyline on the other side.

There are a few different points of interest along the 1.25-mile long boardwalk like the Friendship Fountain, the “Mirrored River: Where Do You See Yourself?” mosaic, and The Lone Sailor statue.

I highly recommend heading here at sunrise or sunset, especially if you’re a photographer. I was so lucky and the light was gorgeous when I visited.

I came at sunrise and saw many other people jogging or getting a morning walk in and some just sitting enjoying a peaceful morning. It’s a great spot to people watch and there’s also a water taxi station here that will take you to the other side of the river.

Grab a drink and pastry from one of the spots on the Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail and hang out here for a relaxing morning.

Anna Cook is the full-time travel blogger, photographer, and licensed drone pilot behind Stuck On The Go. Since 2019, she’s been sharing road trip itineraries, outdoor adventures, and destination guides inspired by her North Carolina roots and travels across nearly 30 U.S. states and 15+ countries. Between collaborations with destination partners and years of first-hand experience, Anna helps readers confidently plan both weekend getaways and bucket-list trips like cruising to Alaska.