Day Trippin' › Florida › From Jacksonville › Best mountains and viewpoints
Our picks for the best mountains and viewpoints within 3 hours of Jacksonville: 16 places, 2 under an hour away, 7 between 1 and 2 hours and 7 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 32202.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, 48 min southeast of Jacksonville.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: Tim Kiser, CC BY-SA 4.0
#1 · National park · 54 min north
A wild barrier island with feral horses, mansion ruins and empty beaches, reached by ferry.
Heads-up: Ferry from St. Marys needs a reservation. Park is cashless. No food sold on the island.
Photo: HAL333, CC BY-SA 4.0
#2 · National park · 1 hr 22 min north
Ruins of a 1730s British colonial town under live oaks on St. Simons.
Heads-up: Mosquitoes in warm months.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
#3 · Small town · 2 hr 14 min south
A hilly lakeside town with antique shops, festivals and lake views.
Heads-up: See downtown parking info on the city site.
Photo: “Jon Zander(digon3)”, CC BY-SA 3.0
#4 · Historic site · 48 min southeast
Climb 219 steps up a black and white striped lighthouse for big views of the old city and the ocean.
Heads-up: Free parking. Climb has height limits for kids.
Photo: Averette, CC BY 3.0
#5 · Garden · 1 hr 4 min southeast
Formal gardens on the river side and a rocky coquina beach on the ocean side, all in one stop.
Heads-up: Honor box needs correct change.
Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 3.0
#6 · Historic site · 1 hr 8 min north
A rice plantation site with a museum and marsh views near Brunswick.
Heads-up: Bring bug spray.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
#7 · Garden · 1 hr 14 min south
Deep ravines with suspension bridges, azaleas and a loop drive in Palatka.
Heads-up: Azaleas bloom late winter. Steps in the ravines.
Photo: Operator 16, CC0
#8 · Wildlife · 1 hr 24 min southwest
A huge open prairie where wild horses, bison and alligators roam. Climb the tower for the view.
Heads-up: Keep well back from bison, horses and gators. Hot in summer.
Photo: Operator 16, CC0
#9 · Historic site · 2 hr 22 min southwest
Native mounds by the river with a small museum and a lookout over the water.
Heads-up: Correct change needed.
Photo: Jud McCranie, en:user:Bubba73, CC BY 3.0
#10 · National park · 2 hr 23 min north
A brick Civil War fort on Cockspur Island with moats, cannons and marsh views.
Heads-up: Bugs can be bad near the marsh. On the way to Tybee.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0
#11 · Garden · 2 hr 28 min west
Formal gardens with camellias and azaleas around a lake, plus trails and a swim spot on Lake Hall.
Heads-up: Garden fee applies only in bloom season.
Photo: John Margolies, Public domain
#12 · Historic site · 1 hr 16 min north
Climb to the top of a working lighthouse for island views, with a small museum below.
Heads-up: The climb is steep and narrow.
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY 2.5
#13 · Garden · 1 hr 29 min southwest
Bamboo groves, a hummingbird garden and giant water lilies in summer.
Heads-up: Dogs OK on non-event days on a fixed leash (no retractables).
Photo: (Ebyabe), CC BY 2.5
#14 · Garden · 2 hr 11 min south
Fifty acres of gardens with camellias, roses and huge oaks in Orlando.
Heads-up: Leu House Museum temporarily closed.
Photo: User:JohnWalton031954, CC BY-SA 3.0
#15 · Beach · 2 hr 23 min southeast
A wild, undeveloped beach with views of the launch pads.
Heads-up: Closes for rocket launches and can fill up. Cards only.
Cocoa Beach (2 hr 35 min)
Our top picks are Cumberland Island National Seashore (54 min), Fort Frederica National Monument (1 hr 22 min), Mount Dora (2 hr 14 min), St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum (48 min) and Washington Oaks Gardens State Park (1 hr 4 min). The page lists 16 places in all.
16: 2 under an hour away, 7 between 1 and 2 hours and 7 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 32202.
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, about 48 min southeast of Jacksonville.
2 need no pass or fee, including Mount Dora and Fort Frederica National Monument. Fees change, so check each place.
9 of the 16 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.