All parks › Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
- Entrance fee
- None[1]
- Busiest month (2025)
- January[2]
- Recreation visits, 2025
- 39,101[3]
- Visitor centers
- 1[4]
Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is a National Historical Park in Georgia[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Jimmy Carter National Historical Park[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
NPS lists hours for Plains Depot, the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm and Carter Gardens, and each is listed with exceptions on Thanksgiving Day 2026-11-26, Christmas Day 2026-12-25 and New Year's Day 2027-01-01[6][7][8]. Carter Gardens is listed as closed on those three days[8]. In 2025, the busiest month was January and the quietest was October[2]. NPS describes summer in Southwest Georgia as hot and humid, with the potential for thunderstorms[9]. Check the official park page for current hours before you go.
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 6,415 |
| February | 3,437 |
| March | 5,094 |
| April | 3,339 |
| May | 3,311 |
| June | 3,096 |
| July | 2,903 |
| August | 2,384 |
| September | 2,992 |
| October | 520 |
| November | 2,453 |
| December | 3,157 |
Pets and dogs
Under the NPS pet rule, where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times[10]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted, and each park can close more areas to pets[10]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 3 of the 5 things to do here, including the Self-Guided Tour of the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm[11].
Before you go
- NPS lists no entrance fee, but fees and hours can change, so confirm on the official park page[1].
- NPS lists 1 visitor center, the Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum[4].
- NPS lists self-guided tours of the Boyhood Farm, Plains Depot and Plains High School[11].
- Activities NPS lists include a Junior Ranger Program, a park film and museum exhibits[12].
- Check the local forecast and bring sun protection and water in summer[9].
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park?
- NPS lists the park as fee-free, with no entrance fee[1].
- When is the park closed?
- Carter Gardens is listed as closed on Thanksgiving Day 2026-11-26, Christmas Day 2026-12-25 and New Year's Day 2027-01-01[8]. Plains Depot and the Boyhood Farm list the same dates as exceptions[6][7].
- Can I bring my dog?
- NPS lists pets as permitted on 3 of the 5 things to do[11]. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet where allowed, and they are not allowed in public buildings[10].
- What is the busiest month?
- In 2025, NPS counted the most recreation visits in January, and the fewest in October[2].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Jimmy Carter National Historical Park as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 27,615, 2022: 35,308, 2023: 40,981, 2024: 33,031, 2025: 39,101. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Plains High School Visitor Center and Museum). National Park Service
- Jimmy Carter National Historical Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Historical Park) in Georgia. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Plains Depot: Plains Depot was chosen for President Carter's 1976 Presidential Campaign Headquarters because it was vacant and it had a public restroom. Today the building is a museum for Jimmy Carter's campaign for Georgia State Senate,... National Park Service
- Operating hours, Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm: Jimmy Carter's father, Earl Carter, moved the family to the community of Archery, Georgia when Jimmy Carter was 4 years old. He lived here until he went off to college. In 2000, the National Park Service opened... National Park Service
- Operating hours, Carter Gardens: Jimmy Carter National Historical Park provides visitors with an opportunity to explore the lasting impact of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, including their final resting place. Listed exceptions:... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 5 things to do at Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: Visit the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park Bookstore, Self-Guided Walking Tour of Plains, Georgia, Self-Guided Tour of the Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm, Self-Guided Tour of Plains... National Park Service
- Activities NPS lists for Jimmy Carter National Historical Park: Biking, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Junior Ranger Program, Park Film, Museum Exhibits, Shopping, Bookstore and Park Store. National Park Service