10 Best Things to See & Do at Fort Clinch State Park
Nature and history come together at Fort Clinch State Park. Located in Fernandina Beach, this diverse 1400-acre park features maritime hammocks with massive moss-covered live oak trees. Several miles of pristine beach with hard-packed sand can be ridden with large-tire bicycles during low tide.
At its heart is a massive 19th century brick coastal fortification constructed as part of the US military’s Third System of seacoast defense.
The fort was named to honor Seminole War General Duncan Lamont Clinch. It’s shaped like a pentagon, with five sides and bastions on each corner. Designed to mount 70 pieces of heavy ordinance, it was never fully armed and never saw any direct combat.
One of the jewels of the Florida State Park system, there’s a lot to experience here. On this episode, Chad Gallivanter runs down the 10 best things to see and do at Fort Clinch State Park.
Mentioned
Fees
$6 per vehicle (two to eight people)
$4 single-occupant vehicle.
$2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$2.50 per person for fort admission.
Camping Fee
$26 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee for RV, cabin, bungalow, boat and yurt units. Utility fee includes water, electricity and sewer. (Utility fee does not apply to tent camping.)
Hours
The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily
The ranger station is open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The fort is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
Bicycling
The park drive provides 3.3 miles of paved road for those wishing to ride a touring bicycle through the oak-shaded canopy drive that ends at the visitor center for historic Fort Clinch. Please stay in a single-file line as the park drive is narrow and winding. Early morning and late afternoon are best suited for bicycle riding on the park drive as the park receives quite a bit of vehicle traffic between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
A 6-mile off-road multi-use trail is located adjacent to the park drive and provides a more adventurous ride through the maritime forest as dune elevation changes provide rolling hills and turns. The trail is considered an intermediate level trail, and caution should be used at all times.
Helmets must be worn when bicycling the multi-use trail. The multi-use trail is one-way for bicyclists and two-way for hikers, so please watch for hikers along the trail. Parking for the multi-use trail is at the visitor center, and the trail can be accessed from multiple points along the park drive.
There are several miles of beach with hard-packed sand that can be ridden with large tire bicycles during low tides. Please walk bikes on boardwalks leading to beaches. Beach cruisers (bicycles) are available for rent at the visitor center for a nominal fee.
Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
Camping
Enjoy the conveniences of modern camping while taking in the rich cultural and natural history of one of Florida's oldest and most diverse state parks. Nestled at Florida's most northeasterly tip, Fort Clinch State Park offers 69 campsites in two separate and unique campgrounds.
The Amelia River campground is located at the north end of the park along the St. Marys River. Shady, Spanish moss-laden oak trees lend an old Florida ambiance to the campground's 42 sites with a breathtaking view of the Amelia River just a short distance from each campsite. The bathroom is air conditioned during the warmer months.
Located along the northeast tip of the park, just steps from the ocean, Atlantic Beach campground offers 21 RV and six tent-only sites that are typical of the Florida beach atmosphere, surrounded by snow white sand dunes and sunny sites. Both campgrounds have a dump station, laundry machines and beautiful new accessible heated bathrooms with showers.
Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, potable water and a mixture of 30- and 50-amp electric hook-ups. Specific details about each site can be viewed on our reservations website. The dump station facilities are free of charge to registered campers, and they are also available for day visitors for a fee. Well-behaved and attended pets are welcome at both campgrounds.
Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
Paddling
Visitors who want to launch a canoe or kayak from the park can use the East or West Inlet parking areas accessed through the Fort Clinch visitor center parking lot.
Visitors should exercise caution as this activity is discouraged for all but the most experienced sea kayakers. St. Marys Inlet is known for extremely strong and unpredictable currents and is a very active shipping channel. A kayak cart is recommended due to the distance from the parking areas.
Day visitors are not permitted to launch canoes or kayaks from the Amelia River Campground or Atlantic Beach Campground as these areas are reserved for registered campers only. Visitors may utilize two free public boat ramps adjacent to the park - Dee Dee Bartel's public boat ramp is available free of charge; there is minimal walking distance.
Caution should be used - this access provides a bit more shelter, but dangerous currents and an active boat channel are still a concern. The Egans Creek public boat ramp provides direct access to Egans Creek and has less boat traffic and currents.
Information from: Florida State Parks
How to Spend 24 Hours on Amelia Island
Only one place in America is able to say its had eight different flags fly over it. Located in Nassau County in the most northeastern part of Florida, Amelia Island is a record setter, changing possession 8 different times over a two-hundred year period.
As soon as you set foot on this 13-mile long barrier island with its beautiful coastline and pristine waters, there’s no doubt as to why everyone wanted a piece of it.
For Abby and I, it’s one of our favorite places to vacation, especially for a quick getaway, maybe even for an anniversary.
If you’re coming here for the weekend and only have a few hours on the island, we want to show you some of the best things to do, old favorites of ours and even some new experiences.
On today’s episode, we’re showing you how to spend 24 hours on Amelia Island. All of that and so much more straight ahead from Florida.
10 Things You Must Do in Fernandina Beach & Amelia Island
Want to experience a Florida beach town with lots of history and plenty of cool things to do? One of our favorites is Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island. A few minutes north of Jacksonville on the Florida Georgia line, this island is unique because it's the only place in America that has had eight different flags fly over it. Today, the community is a popular destination known for its grand Victorian-era houses and yearly shrimp festival. In this video, we show you 10 things you must do in Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island.
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Step back in time and discover 4000 years of life on the water’s edge here on Amelia Island. From the Timucua Native American tribe to Spanish and French explorers, from the lawless spirit of pirates to the dignified air of Victorian-era residents, Amelia Island has been home to diverse cultures that have left an exciting heritage.
Open: Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 4 pm / Sunday: 1 pm – 4 pm
Docent-led tours Monday – Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm / Sunday at 2 pm (included with ticket purchase)MORE INFORMATION:
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History meets nature at Fort Clinch State Park. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover or a bit of both, enjoy exploring the unique natural and historic resources of this pristine park.
Hours
The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily.
The ranger station is open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The fort is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Fees
Admission Fee
$6 per vehicle (two to eight people).
$4 single-occupant vehicle.
$2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$2.50 per person for fort admission.
Camping Fee
$26 per night plus tax, plus a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee for RV, cabin, bungalow, boat and yurt units. Utility fee includes water, electricity and sewer. (Utility fee does not apply to tent camping.)
Florida residents who are 65 years of age or older or who hold a Social Security disability award certificate or a 100% disability award certificate from the federal government are permitted to receive a 50% discount on current base campsite fees. (Reservation fee and utility fee are excluded.) Must present documentation at check-in. -
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Beach Accesses in the City limits, listed from north to south:
Main Beach Park. Parking. ADA accessibility.
Nassau Access: #1. No parking.
Amelia Access: #2. No parking.
1st Street Access: #4N. No parking.
Alabama Access: #5. Parking.
New York Access: #6. Parking.
3rd Street Access: #6N. No parking.
Maryland Access: #8. Parking.
Jasmine Access. #9. Parking.
6th Street Access: #9N. No parking.
Wisconsin Access: #10. No parking.
Kentucky Access: #10S. Parking across Fletcher Ave.
Colorado Access: #11. No parking.
North Beach Park Access: #12N. Parking. ADA accessibility.
Jefferson Access: #13. Parking across Fletcher Ave.
Access #14. No parking.
Madison Access: #15. No parking.
Cleveland Access: #16. Parking across Fletcher Ave.
Ferriera Access: #16N. No parking.
Roosevelt Access: #18. No parking.
Seaside Park Access. Parking. ADA accessibility.
John Robas Access: #21. No parking.
B Street Access: #21S. No parking.
C Street Access: #22. No parking.
D Street Access: #23. No parking.
Askins Access: #24. No Parking.
Mizell Access: #25. Parking.
Allen Access: #27. Parking.
North Casino Access: #28. Parking.
South Casino Access: #29. Parking.
Simmons Access: #30. Parking.
Hutchins Access: #31. Parking.
Oklawaha Acess: #33. No parking.
Mantanzas Access: #34. Parking. ADA accessibility.
Manatee Access: #35. Parking.
Suwanee Access: #35S. Parking.
Kissimmee Access: #36. Parking.
Alachua Access: #37. Parking.
Osceola Access: #38. Parking.
Ozello Access: #39. Parking.
Pasco Access: #40. Parking.
Mobi-Mat at Main Beach
The City of Fernandina Beach has a Mobi-Mat semi-permanently installed at the Main Beach boardwalk access ramp. This environmentally-friendly ADA-compliant matting provides safe and easy access for wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers to maneuver on the beach sand. The matting is made completely from recycled plastic bottles.Beach Wheelchairs
The Parks & Recreation Department has three (3) upright beach wheelchairs and one (1) Mobi floating beach wheelchair available for reservations at the Atlantic Recreation Center for individuals with disabilities. A refundable security deposit of $100 per chair, paid with a current and valid major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover), and driver's license are required. Rental fees are: $30 per chair for up to 1 week City residents, $38 Non-City. Please call the Atlantic Recreation Center at 904-310-3350 for availability and reservations.
PLEASE NOTE:
Beach wheelchairs may be reserved for up to 7 consecutive days. Reservations may be made up to 1 year in advance.
We offer an optional delivery and pick-up service for our beach wheelchairs to locations in the City of Fernandina Beach limits. Delivery/pick-up fee is $25.
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