If you’re looking for a massive marble monument or a sprawling plot at Arlington National Cemetery, you won't find the 39th President there. Honestly, it’s a bit jarring when you think about it. Most world leaders spend their lives building legacies that end in grand, gated mausoleums. But Jimmy Carter? He did things differently.
Where is Jimmy Carter buried? He is laid to rest in his own backyard.
Specifically, his final resting place is in a quiet, sun-dappled corner of his property in Plains, Georgia. This isn't just a random plot of land; it’s part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park. He is buried right next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, who passed away about a year before him. They aren't in a high-security vault or a city-sized cemetery. They’re home.
A Grave Beneath the Willows
The site itself is remarkably modest. If you didn't know who was resting there, you might just think it was a lovely garden. The graves are situated in the Carter Gardens, a space Rosalynn actually designed herself long before they needed it.
There’s a willow tree. There’s a pond that Jimmy and his brother Billy dug out themselves decades ago. It’s the kind of place where you can hear the wind in the Georgia pines and maybe a few birds chirping near the water.
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- Location: 1 Woodland Drive, Plains, GA.
- The Headstones: Simple white marble, modeled after those of Richard and Pat Nixon.
- Accessibility: The National Park Service opened the site to the public in July 2025.
It’s a 10-minute walk from the center of town. Plains has a population of about 700 people. Think about that. A man who negotiated the Camp David Accords and won a Nobel Peace Prize chose to spend eternity in a town where everyone knows your name and the main industry is still peanuts.
Why He Turned Down Arlington
Most people assume a former Commander-in-Chief automatically goes to Arlington or a dedicated presidential library site. Carter had those options. He could have been buried in Washington D.C. with full military pomp and a view of the Potomac.
But he said no.
He was a Naval Academy graduate, a peanut farmer, and a Sunday school teacher. To him, Plains was the center of the universe. The Carters lived in the same ranch-style house from 1961 until their deaths. They didn't move to a mansion in Atlanta or a penthouse in D.C. after the White House. They went back to the house they built before the world knew who they were.
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Choosing a backyard burial wasn't about being eccentric. It was about stewardship. By being buried on their property and deeding that land to the National Park Service, the Carters ensured their home would be preserved as a museum for everyone to see.
The Logistics of Visiting the Site
If you're planning a trip to see where Jimmy Carter is buried, you should know it's not like visiting a typical tourist trap. It’s a somber, respectful environment managed by park rangers.
The path to the gravesite is paved and wheelchair accessible. It winds through the memorial garden, past the butterfly habitats that Rosalynn loved so much. You can’t go inside the house yet—it’s still being renovated by the NPS to become a full-scale museum—but you can stand at the edge of the garden and look out over the pond where Jimmy used to fly-fish.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Hours: The garden is typically open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
- Facilities: There are no restrooms at the burial site. Use the ones at the Plains High School Visitor Center before you head over.
- Parking: It’s limited to passenger cars. If you’re in an RV, park in town and walk.
- Weather: South Georgia is brutally hot in the summer. Bring water. There isn't much shade until you get right up to the willow trees.
What Most People Miss About the Burial
There is a specific detail about the burial that often gets overlooked. The Carters’ graves are positioned so they face the home they shared for over six decades.
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It’s almost poetic.
Even in death, they are looking toward the life they built together. During the funeral procession in January 2025, the hearse stopped at his boyhood farm in Archery and the old high school before reaching the garden. It was a full-circle moment.
Some critics wondered if a private residence was the "right" place for a state leader, but for those who knew the man, nothing else would have made sense. He was a man of the soil. He wanted to return to it.
Making the Trip to Plains
If you want to pay your respects, don't just stop at the grave. To really understand why he’s buried there, you have to see the rest of the town.
- Plains High School: This is the main visitor center. It’s where Jimmy and Rosalynn went to school together.
- The Boyhood Farm: Located about three miles out in Archery. You can see the fields he worked as a kid.
- The Plains Depot: His 1976 campaign headquarters.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit:
- Start at the Visitor Center: Pick up a map. The rangers are incredibly knowledgeable and many actually knew the Carters personally.
- Walk the Town: Plains is small. You can walk from the Depot to the burial site in about 15 minutes.
- Check the NPS Website: Always check for "Current Conditions" on the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park page. Sometimes sections of the garden are closed for maintenance or special events.
- Respect the Neighbors: Remember, people still live on Woodland Drive. It’s a residential street, even if it’s now a historic site.
The choice of where Jimmy Carter is buried tells you more about his character than any biography ever could. It’s a final act of humility from a man who spent his life trying to prove that you don't need a crown to lead—just a servant's heart and a place to call home.