Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve is a Ecological & Historic Preserve in Florida. 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 Timucuan
We matched 1 named overlooks, waterfalls, peaks and other features to Timucuan. Each has its own page with sun directions and a monthly golden hour table.
Sand Dunes (1)
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour
At Timucuan the sunrise point swings a long way through the year: about 62° (ENE) at the June solstice and 117° (ESE) in late December. Sunset moves from 298° (WNW) in June to 243° (WSW) in December, and the midday sun climbs to 83° in summer but only 36° in winter.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Golden hour ends | Golden hour starts | Sunset | Sunset az. | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:24 AM | 8:00 AM | 5:12 PM | 5:48 PM | 246° | 10h 23m |
| February | 7:07 AM | 7:40 AM | 5:42 PM | 6:15 PM | 256° | 11h 07m |
| March | 7:37 AM | 8:09 AM | 7:03 PM | 7:35 PM | 268° | 11h 58m |
| April | 6:59 AM | 7:32 AM | 7:22 PM | 7:54 PM | 282° | 12h 55m |
| May | 6:33 AM | 7:06 AM | 7:40 PM | 8:14 PM | 293° | 13h 41m |
| June | 6:24 AM | 6:59 AM | 7:55 PM | 8:30 PM | 298° | 14h 06m |
| July | 6:35 AM | 7:09 AM | 7:56 PM | 8:30 PM | 296° | 13h 56m |
| August | 6:54 AM | 7:26 AM | 7:36 PM | 8:09 PM | 287° | 13h 16m |
| September | 7:11 AM | 7:43 AM | 7:01 PM | 7:33 PM | 274° | 12h 22m |
| October | 7:29 AM | 8:01 AM | 6:24 PM | 6:56 PM | 261° | 11h 27m |
| November | 6:53 AM | 7:27 AM | 4:56 PM | 5:30 PM | 249° | 10h 37m |
| December | 7:16 AM | 7:53 AM | 4:51 PM | 5:28 PM | 243° | 10h 11m |
Computed for the park's reference point (30.4725, -81.4995); large parks span several minutes of difference.
Milky Way & dark skies
From Timucuan, the Milky Way core is visible in a dark sky from February through October. June gives the longest window (about 6.5 hours on a moonless night), and the core peaks around 31° above the southern horizon. Our light-pollution model puts the sky at about Bortle 5 (suburban sky), so expect visible sky glow; drive away from towns for better results.
| Month | Core visible (15th) | Hours | Max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| February | 4:46 AM – 5:46 AM | 1.0 | 19° |
| March | 3:55 AM – 6:15 AM | 2.3 | 27° |
| April | 1:58 AM – 5:28 AM | 3.5 | 31° |
| May | 11:55 PM – 4:55 AM | 5.0 | 31° |
| June | 10:08 PM – 4:38 AM | 6.5 | 31° |
| July | 10:05 PM – 3:15 AM | 5.2 | 31° |
| August | 9:36 PM – 1:16 AM | 3.7 | 31° |
| September | 8:54 PM – 11:14 PM | 2.3 | 28° |
| October | 8:16 PM – 9:16 PM | 1.0 | 19° |
| November | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
| December | Not visible in darkness | — | — |
5 Estimated Bortle 5 — Suburban sky. The Milky Way is weak near the horizon and washed out overhead; long exposures pick up a sky glow.
Weather & best time to visit
We have mild winters and hot summers. In the winter average highs are in the 60's, lows in the 40's. The summer temperatures reach up into the 90's.
Weather overview: National Park Service.
Long-term NASA satellite data for this area show May as the clearest month (about 45% average cloud cover) and December as the cloudiest (66%). August 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
The beautiful expanse of the Timucuan Preserve is located within the city limits of Jacksonville, Florida. The Preserve can be accessed from major roads and highways in and around Jacksonville. Directions to individual park sites such as Kingsley Plantation, American Beach and the Ribault Column can be found on our website. Our main visitor center is located at Fort Caroline, about 14 miles northeast of downtown.
Directions: National Park Service.
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Boating
- Motorized Boating
- Fishing
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Hiking
- Living History
- Historic Weapons Demonstration
- Paddling
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Junior Ranger Program
- Swimming
- Saltwater Swimming
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Museum Exhibits
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