Main Page - Fort George Island Cultural State Park

A view of the water surrounded by trees.

Manager's Message

Exploring the natural and cultural wonders of Fort George Island is a great escape from the hassles of the work week. Whether it's hiking along the 4-mile nature trail or strolling through the historic Ribault Club, this is one of the best times of the year to see some of the REAL Florida!

And don't forget about the Virtual Ranger Tour of the Saturiwa Trail on Fort George Island. All you need is a car CD-player and an interest in 'old Florida'. The tour follows the narrow road around Fort George Island, a setting rich in natural and cultural significance. Visitors have the option of checking out a CD audio guide, or downloading a written version of the Virtual Ranger Tour from this website. Both the audio and text versions are designed to be self-guiding, where visitors can enjoy the tour at their own pace.

- Robert Joseph, Park Manager

Welcome to Fort George Island Cultural State Park

Native Americans feasted here, colonists built a fort, and the Smart Set of the 1920s came for vacations. A site of human occupation for over 5,000 years, Fort George Island was named for a 1736 fort built to defend the southern flank of Georgia when it was a colony. Today´s visitors come for boating, fishing, off-road bicycling, and hiking. A key attraction is the recently restored Ribault Club. Once an exclusive resort, it is now a visitor center with meeting space available for special functions. Behind the club, small boats, canoes, and kayaks can be launched on the tidal waters.

To reserve the Ribault Club for a special event, contact Amelia Occasions at 904-251-1050. Located approximately 16 miles east of downtown Jacksonville on State Road A1A, or three miles south of Little Talbot Island State Park.

For an eco-friendly experience you won't soon forget, sign up for a guided tour of Fort George Island on a cross terrain Segway with Ecomotion Tours. This 2 hour tour departs from the historic Ribault Club and visits the Kingsley Plantation while traveling along more than 3 miles of maritime forest, abundant with plant and animal life. No experience necessary, but advance reservations are required so please call 904-251-9477 for more information.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Fort George Island Cultural State Park, please call (904) 251-2320.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
The Ribault Club is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Driving Directions

Fort George Island Cultural State Park lies approximately 16 miles east of downtown Jacksonville on S.R. A1A, or three miles south of Little Talbot Island State Park.