There are so many great things to do in and around Jacksonville that it’s hard to pick just one. Luckily, there are plenty of day trips you can take from the city that will leave you feeling refreshed and reinvigorated. Win-win! If you’re looking for a way to spend a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning outside of the city, consider making an extended drive. Camp Milton Historic Preserve is located roughly an hour north of Jacksonville and is home to some gorgeous natural landscapes and manmade structures. The preserve is also home to Fort Caroline National Memorial, which honors the men who founded the settlement on this land nearly 500 years ago. You can visit this amazing destination at 1225 Halsema Rd N, Jacksonville, FL 32220.
Camp Milton Historic Preserve is more than just a parking lot. There is a visitor center and hiking trail (which offers stunning views of the surrounding area), as well as three different nature trails that range from easy to more difficult. The preserve is also home to a Civil War artillery site, which can be explored on a self-guided tour. If you want to get more in-depth with your explorations, consider taking a ranger-led tour. You’ll learn about the natural and manmade features of the preserve and will have the opportunity to ask your guides questions about the area. If you visit in the summer, be sure to check out the ranger programs, which are offered at the end of June, July and August. Learn more.
The preserve is home to a number of different structures, from historic homes and buildings to Confederate encampments and a Civil War artillery site. If you’re interested in learning more about the area’s history and how it relates to the Civil War, consider visiting the Visitor Center. There, you can pick up a trail map and learn more about the preserve and its history. From there, you can explore the natural and manmade features of the preserve. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend the afternoon, consider exploring the ruins at Fort Caroline National Memorial. You can hike to the site and explore the ruins, which were built by the Spanish and recaptured by the Union Army during the Civil War. From Fort Caroline, you can also take a short walk down to the visitor center and visitor center gardens, which offer beautiful views of the surrounding area. Next article.
If you’re looking for a day trip to Jacksonville that doesn’t require too much planning, consider driving up to Milton. The trip shouldn’t take longer than an hour and can be done from anywhere in Jacksonville. If you’re traveling from the north side of the city, head over to I-95 North (the Edgewood Road exit) and follow the instructions listed below for getting to Milton. If you’re traveling from the south side or the east side of the city, follow the instructions listed below for getting to Milton.
A day trip to Milton might seem like a long trip, but it’s well worth it. You’ll get to spend the day exploring the outdoors, learning more about Jacksonville’s history and exploring two different Civil War sites. And, if you make it back home in time for the sunset, you’ll be able to take in some stunning views of the city, the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean. What’s not to love about that?