Welcome to Fort Clinch State Park

A part of the park system since 1935, Fort Clinch is one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in the country. Although no battles were fought here, it was garrisoned during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps began preserving and rebuilding many of the structures of the abandoned fort. Daily tours with period reenactors depicting garrison life bring the fort to life for visitors. Sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing are popular activities at the beach. Anglers can fish from the pier or take advantage of excellent surf fishing. Hikers and bicyclists can enjoy a six-mile trail through the park. Self-guided nature trails provide opportunities to learn about and observe native plants and wildlife. A full-facility campground and a youth camping area provide overnight accommodations. Located north of the city of Fernandina Beach, off State Road A1A.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Fort Clinch State Park, please call 904-277-7274.

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Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Take I–95 to the Fernandina Beach/Callahan exit (Milepost Exit 373 - Old Exit 129), and stay to the right. You will then be traveling east on A1A. (This road becomes 8th Street within the town limits of Fernandina.) Stay on this road, (A1A), for 16 miles until you come to the intersection of 8th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Turn right on Atlantic Avenue and go about two miles, Fort Clinch State Park will be on the left.

Park Fees

Admission Fee - $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle).

Amelia Island & Atlantic Beach campgrounds: $22.00 plus tax per night.

Organized Youth and Adult Group Camping: $1.00 per youth. $2.00 per adult/chaperon.

Activities at Fort Clinch State Park

	Beaches Shell collecting is excellent on the beaches and avid shark tooth hunters will have plenty of sand to cover in their search. There is an ADA restroom located at the day use beach area.
	Bicycling The park drive has approximately 3.3 miles of paved road for those wishing to ride a touring bicycle. There are several miles of beach with hard packed sand that can be ridden upon during low tides. Please walk bikes on boardwalks leading to beaches. Biking is not permitted on the pier. The off road bike trail is accessible in several locations along the park drive. Traffic is one way for off road bikers and helmets are required for everyone riding the trail. Florida laws require helmets to be worn by all children 16 and under when bicycling roads or trails. Children under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian while bicycling in the park.
	Campfire Circle Join our camping community around the fire circle
	Fishing One can fish along the Amelia River on the west side of the island, along the Cumberland Sound where finger jetties provide excellent haven for game fish, or off the half-mile long fishing pier that divides the Cumberland Sound from the Atlantic Ocean. Surf fishing in the Atlantic Ocean is also quite popular. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Full Facility Camping Fort Clinch State Park has two campgrounds. The Atlantic Beach campground has 21 sites with 20- and 30-amp hookups, potable water, in-ground fire rings, and a picnic table for each site. Bathrooms with hot showers are centrally located in this campground and washing machines are available also. These sites can accommodate rigs of any size, and are all back-in sites. Dump station is located near the entrance to the to the campground. The Amelia River campground has 41 campsites located near the Amelia River in an oak hammock. All sites are shaded by large trees and are back-in sites. All sites have 20- and 30-amp hookups, potable water, in-ground fire rings, and picnic tables. There are two bathrooms, each with hot showers. Washing machines and dryers are located at the larger of the two bathrooms. A dump station is located near the campground’s entrance. Camping Fees: The Amelia River and Atlantic Beach campgrounds are $22.00 plus tax per night.
	Nature Trails Fort Clinch offers a six-mile trail for hikers and off road bicyclists. Traffic is one way for bikers and helmets are required. Hikers may travel in either direction. The trail begins at the fort parking lot and parallels the park drive for approximately three miles, then crosses the road and returns back toward the fort on the opposite side. Parts of the trail are heavily forested and traverse ancient dunes that are very steep, offering a challenge to off road bicyclists and hikers as well. Willow Pond Hiking Trail is located centrally along the park drive. Parking is available. Two loops encircle a series of fresh water ponds, the shorter loop takes around 20 minutes, the longer takes 45-50 minutes to complete. Wildlife observation is very good on these trails. Alligators, deer, and a variety of bird life can be seen in this area. A guided nature walk is conducted on these trails every Saturday morning at 10:30 AM, weather permitting. Hiking along the beaches of the Cumberland Sound, one can stand on the northernmost reaches of Florida and look over to Cumberland Island National Seashore where wild horses sometimes roam the beaches there. Some of the largest dunes in the state loom over this section of coast where rugged windblown oaks and gnarled cedar trees anchor the sands in steep inclines.
	Pet Camping Pet camping is available in our campground. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Pets must be confined, leashed, or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes must be hand-held and may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well-behaved at all times and must be confined in the owner's camping unit during designated quiet hours (11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.). Unconfined pets must be leashed and cannot be left unattended for more than thirty minutes. Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets considered a nuisance are not allowed to remain in the park.
	Pets Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Fort Clinch State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and can not be left unattended for more than a half-hour. Dogs are not permitted in buildings, boardwalk or on the beach.
	Picnicking The picnic area is located in a maritime hammock area surrounded by relic dunes and oak trees. Free standing grills and picnic tables are located there. There is a playground with swings, slide, and climbing bars available for children to play on.
	Showers The boardwalks that lead to the Atlantic Ocean access and the pier are equipped with showers as well as restroom/changing rooms. Hot water is available at the Amelia River Campground's two shower facilities and at the Atlantic Beach Campground's restroom/shower facility. A shower station is also available along the boardwalk from the campground to the beach along the Cumberland Sound.
	Swimming Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean is offered but there are no lifeguards provided.
	Visitors Centers Come to our Visitor Center for Information
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible at this park
	Youth Camping The Youth Area Campground at Fort Clinch State Park can hold up to 100 occupants. There are four sites located at this area. Bathrooms with hot water are provided and both men and women facilities are ADA accessible. There is an ADA restroom located at the Youth Camp.

Special Events for Fort Clinch State Park

• CANDLELIGHT VIEWING
  Date: Saturday evenings after sundown. See table for specific dates.
  Description: Candlelight Viewing
  Saturday evenings after the First Weekend Union Garrison (except in December).
  Viewing times vary with sunset.
  
  
  This is a self-guided viewing of Fort Clinch which takes place after sundown. See below for specific dates.
  
  

  January 5		February 2		March 1
  April 5		May 3		June 7
  July 5		August 2		September 6
  October 4		November 1

  
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $3.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• FIRST WEEKEND UNION GARRISONS
  Date: First full weekend of each month. Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. See table below for specific dates.
  Description: First Weekend Union Garrisons
  First full weekend of each month
  Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  
  Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. Activities may include artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Soldiers and civilians also take up duty in the laundry, infirmary, kitchen, barracks, quartermaster and carpenter shop. Candlelight viewings on Saturday evenings every First Weekend (except December). See below for specific dates.
  
  

  January 5 & 6		February 2 & 3		March 1 & 2
  April 5 & 6		May 3 & 4		June 7 & 8
  July 5 & 6		August 2 & 3		September 6 & 7
  October 4 & 5		November 1 & 2		December 6 & 7

  
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• KITE WORKSHOP
  Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008. 10:00 a.m.
  Description: KITE WORKSHOP
  -- Create a kite and practice your flying skills on the beach --
  
  Fort Clinch State Park is hosting a Kite Workshop on July 26. The program will begin with a short introduction to the history and basics of kite flying. Attendees will then have the opportunity to create their own kite and fly it on the beach. All activities are included with paid admission to the park. Call the park to sign up as participation is limited.
  Fees: Regular park admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• SPANISH AMERICAN WAR EVENT
  Date: Saturday, September 20th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 21, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  Description: Commemoration of the Spanish American War.
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission fee.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• CONFEDERATE GARRISONS
  Date: Saturday, October 11th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 12th, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
  Description: Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. Activities may include black powder artillery demonstrations and marching drills, as well as soldiers and civilians taking up duty in the laundry, infirmary and kitchen. Candlelight viewing on Saturday evening.
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER
  Date: The evening of Saturday, November 8th.
  Description: An after hours program saluting Armed Forces with a timeline of men and women portraying soldiers from each major military conflict in US history.
  Fees: Free with donation of one canned food item per person.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  
• UNION HOLIDAY ENCAMPMENT
  Date: Saturday, December 6th, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 7th, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
  Description: Living historians recreate life at Fort Clinch during the War Between the States. Activities may include artillery demonstrations, medical demonstrations and soldier drills. Soldiers and civilians also take up duty in the laundry, infirmary, kitchen, barracks, quartermaster and carpenter shop. A special Christmas tree will also be decorated with period, hand-made decorations.
  Fees: Park entrance fee plus $2.00 per person Fort admission.
  Contact: For more information, call 904-277-7274.
  

Fort Clinch State Park Ranger Programs

• RANGER INTERPRETIVE
  Ongoing There is always a Park Ranger on duty at the fort and often times, some volunteers as well. There is no set time for Ranger Programs but there is constant roving interpretation taking place. The fort staff are usually offering a first-person interpretation of the fort life as in 1864 by portraying soldiers and workers stationed at Fort Clinch. Other park programs include a guided nature walk at the Willow Pond area on Saturdays at 10:30 A.M. These usually last about an hour and are conducted by a park volunteer or Park Ranger.
  Call 904-277-7274 for more details.
• NATURE WALKS
  Saturdays 10:30 AM Free with park admission of $5.00 per vehicle. Every Saturday, weather permitting. This is a guided nature walk around Willow Pond trail, which winds through a coastal maritime hammock down to fresh water ponds. Through an informative presentation, visitors will discover a wide variety of native plants and animals. NO PETS.
  Call (904) 277-7274 for more details.
• CANDLELIGHT VIEWING
  1st Saturday evening of each month (with the exception of December). Viewing times vary with sunset. Park admission is $5.00 per vehicle plus $3.00 per person. Volunteers join park rangers to re-create life in the fort during the War Between the States. These living historians take up duty in the infirmary, blacksmith shop, jail, laundry, and kitchen. Activities include black powder artillery demonstrations, marching drills, and blacksmith demonstrations. NO PETS.
  Call 904-277-7274 for more details.
• SUMMER CANDLELIGHT TOURS
  May through Labor Day (Except Saturdays during First Weekend Garrisons). Step back in time and take an evening tour of Fort Clinch. You can join a Union soldier and be led by candlelight through the historic fort, while enjoying the tales of a soldier’s life in 1864. Reservations are required and the fees include park admission plus $3.00 per person Fort admission. Tour times vary with sundown.
  Call (904) 277-7274 for more details.
• CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS
  Every Saturday evening, November through April. Meet at the Amelia River Campground Amphitheatre. These are a fun Saturday night program for our camping guests. Program topics vary from Park Animals to Campfire Cooking.
  Call For more information call 904-277-7274. for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Clinch State Park

Question: What is there to do here?
Answer: See the fort, hike the trails, fish the pier, camp, look for shells and sharks’ teeth, swim in the ocean, and have a picnic! See the Park Activities page for more information.

Question: Is the Amelia Island Lighthouse located here?
Answer: No, but it can be observed from an area within the park. It is across Egans Creek Marsh from the park in a residential neighborhood and not open to the public at this time.

Question: Are dogs allowed in the park?
Answer: Yes, but they are restricted to hiking trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, and roadways. They cannot go on the beaches, boardwalks, the pier, or the fort. At all times, pets must be on a leash and not left unattended. Please see the Official Pet Policy for more information.

Question: Where is the park located?
Answer: The park is located in the northeastern corner of Florida, approximately 30 miles north of Jacksonville, on the northern most end of Amelia Island, in the town of Fernandina Beach.

Fort Clinch State Park History

Fort Clinch State Park Volunteer Information

VOLUNTEERS WANTED!!
Fort Clinch State Park

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail. The Florida Park Service, due to increased demands on park staff, works closely with volunteers to assist us with meeting the sometimes-daunting task of keeping the parks running and providing visitor services. Volunteers have proven beneficial to the operation of Fort Clinch State Park where we have many ongoing projects; as well as, the never-ending maintenance of our buildings and Civil War Era fort.

FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE CAMPING AND WISH TO VOLUNTEER: Here at Fort Clinch State Park, we have 6 volunteer campsites. There are 2 host sites in our Amelia River Camping Area and 1 host site in the Atlantic Beach Camping Area. The other 3 sites are in our newly built Volunteer Area. These 3 sites include 50 Amp electric service, water, and sewer hookup.

All sites occupied by camping volunteers are to be maintained by them, from weeding, tidying up, mulching, etc. The occupants of the host sites will be our eyes and ears in the campgrounds. Duties may include cleaning restrooms and campsite areas, answering camper questions, availability in case of emergency. If any or all of the above mentioned material strikes your fancy, please come join our team at Fort Clinch State Park.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering. Click Here for a listing of our volunteer jobs. If you would like to apply for any of our great volunteer job opportunities, please fill out the Volunteer application form provided. Please allow for a few days before receiving a reply, thank you!

Visit the Main Volunteer page for information on volunteering in Florida State Parks

Visit the Main Volunteer page at http://www.floridastateparks.org/volunteers/default.cfm for more detailed Information

Fort Clinch State Park

2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
Phone: 904-277-7274
Fax: Contact Park for Number