Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is a National Historical Park in Georgia. This guide combines the park's official information with computed sunrise, sunset and Milky Way times, satellite climate data and 1 photo locations inside or next to the park.
Best photo spots in Jimmy Carter
We matched 1 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Jimmy Carter. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Scenic Viewpoints (1)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Jimmy Carter the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 62° (ENE) at the June solstice and 118° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 299° (WNW) in June to 243° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 81° in summer but only 35° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:39 AM | 8:15 AM | 5:20 PM | 5:56 PM | 246° | 10h 17m |
| February | 7:21 AM | 7:55 AM | 5:51 PM | 6:24 PM | 256° | 11h 04m |
| March | 7:49 AM | 8:21 AM | 7:14 PM | 7:46 PM | 268° | 11h 57m |
| April | 7:09 AM | 7:42 AM | 7:34 PM | 8:07 PM | 282° | 12h 58m |
| May | 6:41 AM | 7:16 AM | 7:54 PM | 8:29 PM | 293° | 13h 47m |
| June | 6:32 AM | 7:08 AM | 8:10 PM | 8:46 PM | 299° | 14h 14m |
| July | 6:43 AM | 7:18 AM | 8:10 PM | 8:46 PM | 296° | 14h 03m |
| August | 7:03 AM | 7:36 AM | 7:50 PM | 8:23 PM | 287° | 13h 20m |
| September | 7:22 AM | 7:55 AM | 7:13 PM | 7:45 PM | 274° | 12h 23m |
| October | 7:42 AM | 8:15 AM | 6:33 PM | 7:06 PM | 260° | 11h 25m |
| November | 7:07 AM | 7:42 AM | 5:04 PM | 5:39 PM | 249° | 10h 32m |
| December | 7:32 AM | 8:09 AM | 4:58 PM | 5:36 PM | 243° | 10h 04m |
Computed for the park's reference point (32.0361, -84.3924); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Jimmy Carter, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 6.3 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 29° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 3 (rural sky), good enough for detailed Milky Way images.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 5:07 AM – 5:57 AM | 0.8 | 18° |
| March | 4:18 AM – 6:18 AM | 2.0 | 25° |
| April | 2:13 AM – 5:43 AM | 3.5 | 29° |
| May | 12:12 AM – 5:02 AM | 4.8 | 29° |
| June | 10:26 PM – 4:46 AM | 6.3 | 29° |
| July | 10:23 PM – 3:23 AM | 5.0 | 29° |
| August | 9:52 PM – 1:22 AM | 3.5 | 29° |
| September | 9:08 PM – 11:18 PM | 2.2 | 26° |
| October | 8:28 PM – 9:18 PM | 0.8 | 18° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
3 Estimated Bortle 3 — Rural sky. Some light domes sit on the horizon, but the Milky Way still looks complex overhead.
Weather & best time to visit
When visiting Southwest Georgia during the summer, expect hot and humid weather with the potential for thunderstorms. Check the local forecast before planning any outdoor activities in the region and be prepared with appropriate clothing, sun protection, and hydration to ensure a comfortable and safe visit.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show October as the clearest month (about 42% average cloud cover) and February as the cloudiest (58%). July is the warmest month and January the coldest, which matters for gear, snow access and how long batteries last at night.
Average cloud cover (%)
Average high (°F)
Photography permits, drones & fees
Permits. Under federal law (54 U.S.C. 100905), still photography in National Park Service areas needs a permit only when it (1) takes place where members of the public are not allowed, (2) uses models, sets or props that are not part of the location's natural or cultural resources or administrative facilities, or (3) would cause the park to incur additional administrative costs to monitor the activity. Ordinary visitor and most landscape photography needs no permit. Commercial filming rules are separate and have changed in recent years — confirm current requirements with the park before a paid shoot.
Drones. Launching, landing or operating unmanned aircraft (drones) is prohibited in National Park Service units under a 2014 Superintendent's closure (36 CFR 1.5), except where a park has issued specific written approval. Flying from outside the boundary over park land can also violate park rules and disturb wildlife.
Getting there
In Americus take US 280W/ W Forsyth St. until it becomes US-19 S/US-280 W/S Martin Luther King Blvd. Turn left and go .08 mile. Turn right onto US-280 W and travel 8.9 miles. Turn right onto North Bond Street/ Hwy 45 North. Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum will be on the right side of the road 500 feet from the intersection.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Biking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
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