Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
Few U.S. Presidents have had such close ties with where they were born and raised. The rural southern culture of Plains, Georgia revolves around farming, church, and school, which had a large influence in molding the character and shaping the political policies of the 39th President of the United States.
Fees & passes
Free. No entrance fee here.
Hours
| Plains Depot | Daily · 9:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm | Daily · 9:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Carter Gardens | Daily · 9:30AM - 4:30PM |
Plains Depot, Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm: hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow | 9:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day | Closed |
| Dec 25, 2026December 25, Christmas Day | Closed |
| Jan 1, 2027January 1, New Year's Day | Closed |
Carter Gardens: hours by date. Standard hours apply on every date not listed.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Standard hoursNow | 9:30AM - 4:30PM |
| Nov 26, 2026Thanksgiving Day | Hours not published |
| Dec 25, 2026Christmas Day | Hours not published |
| Jan 1, 2027New Year's Day | Hours not published |
When to go
March draws the most visits here and August the fewest, averaged over 2021 to 2025.
Visitor centers
- Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum ↗Passport stamp
Plains High School is the main visitor center for the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. The building has the parks orientation film, visitor services desk, exhibits, bookstore, and passport stamp location.
No campgrounds, no webcams or events in Park Service data. What is here comes from the official page. The rest lives there.
Checked nightly. Modules appear as soon as the Park Service publishes the data.
Explore
Things to do
- Visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Bookstore5-60 Minutes
Bookstore Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
Opens on the Park Service site - Self-Guided Walking Tour of Plains, Georgia45-120 Minutes
A Self-Guided Tour of Plains, Georgia allowing the visitor to explore the town that raised a President, and where President and Mrs. Carter still call home.
Opens on the Park Service site - Self-Guided Tour of the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm10-120 Minutes
The Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm is where Jimmy Carter was raised from the age of four until seventeen. His father, Earl Carter, sold off the farm in 1949. The National Park Service purchased seventeen acres and the Carter Boyhood Home in 1994.
Opens on the Park Service site - Self-Guided Tour of Plains Depot-1976 Campaign Headquarters15-45 Minutes
Plains Depot-1976 Presidential Campaign Headquarters
Opens on the Park Service site - Self-guided tour of Plains High School5-60 Minutes
Plains High School is where both Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter went grades one through eleven. It has been transformed into a museum detailing the life of the citizens of Plains, as well as the Carter's.
Opens on the Park Service site
Films
National Park Service productions, public domain.
News
- Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Welcomes Karen Barry as Superintendent ↗2026-07-24
The National Park Service has selected Karen Barry as the new Superintendent of Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. She will begin her official role as Superintendent on August. 9.
Map
Interactive map by the National Park Service
On the National Register nearby
- Jimmy Carter National Historic SiteSite · Plains · 0.1 mi
- Newman McBain HouseBuilding · Americus · 8.2 mi
- Webster County CourthouseBuilding · Preston · 8.7 mi
- Webster County JailsBuilding · Preston · 8.7 mi
Public land nearby
Distances are approximate. Wilderness Atlas publishes a center point and an acreage for each area rather than a boundary, so each area is treated here as a circle of the same size and the figure is the gap to that circle.
Guidebooks for the South
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject.
Reference
Activities
Weather & climate
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.
Questions people ask
Does Jimmy Carter charge an entrance fee?
No. Jimmy Carter is free to enter.
Source: National Park Service
What are the hours at Jimmy Carter?
Standard hours are 9:30AM - 4:30PM, every day. Dated exceptions are listed under Hours.
Source: National Park Service
How busy is Jimmy Carter?
39,101 recreation visits in 2025, number 281 of 387 units that report visitation.
Source: Most visited parks
Is there cell service at Jimmy Carter?
At the park's reference point, FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G. Coverage inside the park varies by location.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
Follow this park
- Alerts feed (RSS)
- Every active Park Service alert for this unit, one item each, rebuilt with the nightly data refresh.
- Add dates to your calendar (.ics file)
- Fee-free entrance days that apply here and each published hours exception, as all-day events.
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