Jacksonville runs more than 400 park sites: Hanna Park's beach and 20 miles of bike trails, Huguenot Memorial Park, the Baldwin Rail Trail and the riverwalks. JaxParks: 904-255-7930.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the City of Jacksonville’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the JaxParks pages linked below. Fees and hours are as the city publishes them.

The city’s parks department manages more than 400 park and recreation sites inside Jacksonville’s city limits, it says: oceanfront parks, riverwalks, nature preserves, trails, boat ramps, community centers and pools. Use the JaxParks all-parks directory to find one near you.

Who to call

Oceanfront parks

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Drive, has 1.5 miles of beach, including the surf spot known as The Poles, a 60-acre lake for fishing, kayaks, pedal boats and canoes (no swimming in the lake), more than 20 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails, and tent, RV and cabin camping.

  • Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during daylight saving time, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. after the clocks change. Standard time returns Sunday, Nov. 1. Last entry 30 minutes before closing.
  • Entry: $5 per car (up to six people); $3 per walker or cyclist. Military and veterans half off with ID.
  • Rules: no alcohol, glass, balloons or fireworks; no grills on the beach; leashed pets (8 feet or less) only in designated areas.
  • The kids’ splash park runs from the first weekend in May to the first weekend in October, so it has closed for the year.

Huguenot Memorial Park, 10980 Heckscher Drive, offers swimming, fishing, surfing, a boat launch and camping where the St. Johns River meets the ocean.

  • Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in daylight saving time; 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in standard time. The gate closes an hour before the park.
  • Entry: $5 per vehicle (up to six people, $1 each extra), $3 per walker or cyclist.
  • Closures: the park closes to admissions or beach driving during high tides, at capacity or in unsafe conditions. With a coastal flood advisory in effect through Saturday, Oct. 10, call 904-255-4255 before driving out.
  • The nature center is open 1 to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Riverfront parks downtown

  • Riverfront Plaza, 2 W. Independent Drive, on the old Jacksonville Landing site. Phase 1 opened in fall 2025 with an elevated playground, a splash pad, restrooms and a big lawn for events. Open sunrise to sundown.
  • Southbank Riverwalk, 1001 Museum Circle: a 1.25-mile boardwalk facing downtown, open 24 hours, with an adaptive kayak launch the city recommends only for experienced paddlers because of strong currents.
  • Memorial Park, 1620 Riverside Ave., built to honor the Floridians who died in World War I.
  • Metropolitan Park, 4110 Gator Bowl Drive: 18.25 acres on the river with a boat dock, nonmotorized launch, playground and picnic shelters.

Trails

The Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail follows a former CSX rail corridor acquired in December 1992 through the Florida Greenways and Trails Program. It is open sunrise to sundown for walking, cycling and horseback riding, with restrooms and drinking fountains, plus about 8.5 miles of spur trails. Trailheads:

Trailhead Address
Imeson Road 1800 Imeson Road
Camp Milton Historic Preserve 1225 Halsema Road
Otis Road 1380 Otis Road
Baldwin depot 850 Center St. N., Baldwin
Brandy Branch Road 89 Brandy Branch Road

Hanna Park adds more than 20 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails. For on-street bike lanes and shared-use paths, see the city’s bikeways and trails network.

Dog parks and splash pads

  • Forest Street Dog Park, 2020 Forest St., beside the city’s Animal Care and Protective Services shelter, opened with shade trees planted through the city’s Tree Fund. Open sunrise to sundown.
  • The city runs 18 splash pads, open this year from May 9 through the last weekend in October. They may close for maintenance or lightning.

Preserves and state parks nearby

JaxParks also lists preservation parks such as the 525-acre Betz-Tiger Point Preserve and Julington-Durbin Creek Preserve, and partner sites including Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island state parks, Kingsley Plantation and Fort Caroline National Memorial. See our history and landmarks guide.

What this means for you

  • Hanna Park and Huguenot switch to winter hours after Nov. 1.
  • Splash pads close for the season after this month.
  • Check Huguenot’s status before you drive out on high-tide days.

Related: things to do this month, farmers markets and getting around Jacksonville.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get into Hanna Park?

$5 per car with up to six people, or $3 per pedestrian or cyclist, from 8 a.m. to close. Active duty military and veterans get half off with ID. Call 904-255-6767.

What are Hanna Park’s hours?

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during daylight saving time and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in standard time, seven days a week. Early bird and annual passholders can enter from 6 a.m.

Can you drive on the beach at Huguenot Memorial Park?

Yes, in season, but the park can close to beach driving or to all admissions for high tides, capacity or unsafe conditions, and the north end of the peninsula closes to vehicles for nesting shorebirds.

Where is the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail?

It runs west from Imeson Road to Baldwin, with trailheads at Imeson Road, Camp Milton Historic Preserve on Halsema Road, Otis Road, the Baldwin depot at 850 Center St. N. and Brandy Branch Road. It is open sunrise to sundown.

When do Jacksonville splash pads close?

The city’s 18 splash pads run from May 9 through the last weekend in October this year.