As the cool winter temps give way to spring, it’s the perfect time of year to plan a spring day trip from Jacksonville. Not quite warm enough to hit the waterparks, the kids will love hiking and exploring all of the great spots around North Florida. We’ve rounded up 25 of our favorite spring day trips that are all just a short drive from Jacksonville.
State Park Day Trips in North Florida
With so many great Florida State Parks to choose from, it’s hard to decide where to go on your next day trip adventure. Spring is the perfect time of year for some hiking since it’s not quite as hot as summer.
Big Shoals State Park
A different destination from the slow moving Florida Springs, Big Shoals boasts whitewater rapids that are the biggest in the state. This park offers 33 miles of trails. Hike along the Florida National Scenic Trail along the river bluffs for vistas of the Suwannee River that are uncommon in Florida’s otherwise flat terrain. The topography ranges from flat trails to steep slopes and ravines.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 11330 SE Co Rd 135, White Springs, FL 32096
Fort Mose
One of many forts in North Florida, Fort Mose is a forty acre waterfront historic site that was the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what would become the United States. The park offers picnic areas, observation and birding boardwalk, kayak launch boardwalk, a visitor center and museum.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 30 minutes
Address: 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
With a beach and lots of shady picnic pavilions, Gamble Rogers is a great spot to take the family. This small, unique park has a butterfly garden as well as a short trail that’s rugged, but not unmanageable for younger kids. This park also offers camping if you’re looking for a weekend away.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 3100 S Ocean Shore Blvd, Flagler Beach, FL 32136
O’Leno State Park
One of Florida’s first State Parks, during a visit to O’Leno you can enjoy hiking or biking on the park’s shaded trails. The Santa Fe River is a beautiful spot to launch a canoe or try your hand at fishing along its banks. Shaded pavilions are the perfect spot for a picnic.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 410 SE O’Leno Park Rd, High Springs, FL 32643
Weeki Wachee State Park
Yes, we love Weeki Wachee State Park for the springs you can paddle in, but if you’re not interested in the crowds that accumulate during the summer when Buccaneer Bay waterpark is open, then try to visit in the spring. You can take in the mermaid show and wander through the gardens with significantly fewer people around.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606
North Florida National Parks Day Trips from Jacksonville
There are several great National Park sites in North Florida that are perfect for spring day trips from Jacksonville. The two we’ve listed are completely free to visit and kids can even earn a Junior Ranger Badge while you’re there.
Kingsley Plantation National Historic Preserve
This former plantation is free to visit and kids can even earn a Junior Ranger Badge when you’re there. Situated on the river, Kingsley Plantation a great spot to hike, catch some crabs along the shore, and learn a little about Jacksonville history.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 30 minutes
Address: 11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Another free National Park site to visit in North Florida, Fort Matanzas National Monument sits on the south side of St. Augustine and has tons of fun for the whole family. Take a boat ride over to explore the fort, play along the edge of the water, explore the area with a hike, or picnic under the large shady trees. This is another spot where kids can earn a Junior Ranger Badge.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 8635 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Spring Day Trips to Pick Fruit
Heading out to pick fruit in the spring means, you’ll be on the tail end of strawberry season in North Florida. There are several great farms where you can pick strawberries, blueberries, peaches, sunflowers, and plums. Always be sure to check the farm’s website or social media before you visit.
Brown’s Farm
Spring is in the air and strawberries are in season. If you’re looking for a fun day trip from Jacksonville, check out Brown’s Farm for Strawberry Picking. Just a 90 minute drive from Jacksonville, Brown’s Farm offers u-pick strawberries and a variety of other fruits and vegetables available for purchase.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 18120 Northeast State Road 26, Hawthorne, FL 32640
Clay Ranch Berry Farm
Blueberry picking in North Florida is one of our favorite spring activities. The kids love heading out to the fields and filling buckets with sweet, fresh berries. Clay Ranch Berry Farm is located just a short drive from Jacksonville and has lots of sweet berries for picking. Be sure to call ahead to make sure they’re open for the season.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 1287 State Rd 100, Florahome, FL 32140
Amber Brooke Farms
Amber Brooke Farms is a 100-acre agritourism destination in north central Florida. Throughout the spring you can visit and pick blueberries, strawberries, sunflowers and peaches. They also offer a an Easter Egg hunt for different age groups.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 3250 NE 140th Ave, Williston, FL 32696
Southern Grace Farms
Southern Grace is a family farm in South Georgia. They offer fresh fruit, homemade ice cream, strawberry lemonade, a large playground, our unique country store, picnic areas, and more. If you plan a visit for the spring, be sure to check their website for what fruit is in season. You could have the opportunity to pick strawberries, blueberries, peaches, or plums depending on when you visit.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours
Address: 3131 Vickers Church Rd, Enigma, GA 31749
Favorite Cities for Spring Day Trips from Jacksonville
So of our favorite cities for spring day trips from Jacksonville are the ones where you can enjoy a few attractions, while taking in some nature outside. Spring is also festival season and there are lots of great events you can take in during your visit.
Fernandina Beach
Fernandina Beach is the perfect place for a day trip with the kids. Just forty minutes north of Jacksonville this family friendly island, known as Florida’s Mayberry is an excellent getaway location. The easy, tranquil island is perfect and designed for family fun with endless options to entertain both the kids and the young at heart.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 30 minutes
Gainesville
Looking for a fun day trip from Jacksonville with the kids? How about a visit to a butterfly filled rainforest, wild bison sightings, bat houses, and that’s just the beginning. These are just a few of the things you can see and do during a Gainesville day trip.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Palatka
Palatka is a great destination for a day trip. You can learn some Florida history, explore the water cycle (spoiler alert, there’s a new part to the water cycle we never learned growing up) and even just spend time with nature. This small sleepy town, that was once bigger than Jacksonville, can make a great little day trip.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Savannah
Savannah, Georgia with kids is a great family getaway. It’s a short two hour drive from Jacksonville Beach and is surrounded by large oaks, beautiful Victorian homes and tons of American history.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Favorite Spring Theme Park Day Trips
If you have little ones and a flexible schedule, then spring is a great time to plan a theme park visit. The weather is typically mild and the crowds are significantly smaller than the summer.
Legoland
Everything is awesome at one of our favorite theme parks for younger kids. If your kiddos love Legos then a trip to Legoland is just what you need. Visit in the spring before the summer crowds are in full swing.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours
Address: 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Marineland
Discover Marineland, the oceanfront playground that has delighted visitors since 1938. Make an ocean of memories as you meet bottlenose dolphins up close, experience the wonder of marine life, explore 80 years of Florida history, and even swim with dolphins in their educational programs.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 9600 N Ocean Shore Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Peppa Pig Theme Park
Step into the playful World of Peppa Pig for the ultimate day of adventure. Snort, giggle & play in a theme park, exclusively designed for little kids with interactive rides & attractions, themed play areas complete with water play and fun live shows.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours
Address: Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Other Favorite Spring Day Trips from Jacksonville
Spring is the perfect time of year to get outside or explore a new spot. Some of our favorite spring day trips combine a little hiking with paddling or biking your way down a new path. Whether you’re looking for the adventure of zip lining, or prefer a leisurely stroll down a trail, there are lots of day trips everyone will enjoy.
7 Creeks Recreation Area
You won’t have to drive far for this outdoor adventure. Starting at the intersection of New Berlin and Cedar Point Roads and running east to Black Hammock Island, the 7 Creeks Recreation Area offers visitors 30+ miles of trails that could occupy days of hiking, biking, horseback riding and exploring diverse ecosystems, making each mile a new adventure.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 15 minutes
Address: Various hiking and water launching throughout the preserve.
Amelia Island Bike Trail
Much like the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail, the Amelia Island Bike Trail is perfect for kids. It’s a 5.7 mile paved bike path that runs from Peters Point Beachfront Park to Amelia Island State Park (Fernandina Beach). It’s the perfect path if you’d like to explore Boneyard Beach since you ride alongside the trail.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 4600 Peters Point Rd, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Canyons Zipline and Canopy Tours
Two spectacular canyons and 4 lakes make The Canyons Zipline and Canopy Tours an adventures like no other. Their Big Cliff Canyon tour offers a world-famous 1,100 foot zip all the way across Lost Spring Lake. The Treetop Express Tour and Sky High Tour take you soaring through Sky High Canyon and over Gator Lake.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 8045 NW Gainesville Rd, Ocala, FL 34475
Camp Chowenwaw Park
We love Camp Chowenwaw Park for their adventurous treehouse camping, but the park is also home to lots of great day trip activities for the kids. Take the family for a visit and enjoy hiking, nature exploration, and our favorite, a StoryWalk. Stories on the trail change regularly so you can visit more than once and experience a new literary adventure each time.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville:
Address: 1517 Ball Rd, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Daytona Speedway Tour
Get up-close and behind the scenes at the World Center of Racing with a Daytona Speedway Tour. Tours run daily and leave every thirty minutes beginning at 9:30 AM with the last tour of the day running at 3:00 PM. Tours last about 60 minutes.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Huguenot Memorial Park
Huguenot Park is another favorite spot that sits just on the edge of Duval County. One of our favorite North Florida beaches, this beach is the only one in our area where you can actually drive your car out on the sand. Be sure to check tide schedules before venturing out, because you don’t want to get stuck.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 15 minutes
Address: 10980 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226
Mill Creek Horse Farm
Mill Creek Farm is a not for profit equine sanctuary located in Alachua, Florida. They provide lifelong care for elderly horses that have been neglected, abused or abandoned and seized by law enforcement agencies, SPCAs and other frontline rescue organizations. They are open to the public on Saturdays and the admission price is 2 carrots.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 20307 N, Co Rd 235A, Alachua, FL 32615
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