Fort Clinch State Park, Florida

When visiting Amelia Island, Florida a must-see attraction is Fort Clinch State Park with its civil-war era fortress overlooking the Cumberland Sound. It is a vast state park with roughly 8,400 feet of shoreline, a half-mile-long fishing pier, campgrounds, and about 1,153 acres of maritime hammock, moss-draped live oaks, and coastal grasses. The scenery is fantastic with panoramic waterfront views, massive sand dunes, preserved maritime forest, and the antiquated, historic fort itself, recognized as one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in America.

Union Garrisons — Living History Weekends

Life during the Civil War era is recreated at Fort Clinch State Park the first weekend each month (see highlights by watching FORT CLINCH VIDEO below). Walk over the draw bridge and through the brick tunnel into life as it was at the fort in 1864 during the War between the States. Fort staff usually offers a first-person interpretation of fort life as it was in 1864 by portraying soldiers and workers stationed at Fort Clinch. 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. Visitors can see these special living history garrisons from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday of the first weekend of the month and 9 am until noon on the first weekend Sunday at the fort (daytime tours are $2 per person). Special evening candlelight tour of Fort Clinch is also held the first weekend Saturday night each month and costs $3 per person. Call 904-277-7274 for more information.

THE BRICK FORTRESS

Fort Clinch was built in 1847 at the mouth of the St. Mary’s River for protection of Fernandina Harbor’s deepwater port. Fort Clinch was a military post during the Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War II. The fort is a third system fortification, and can be toured daily. From the park’s entrance at Atlantic Avenue in Fernandina Beach, it’s about a 3-mile drive through shady, wild tree canopy to reach the brick fortress. There’s plenty of parking, public restrooms, wooden dune walkovers to the beach, picnic areas with tables and barbeques. At just $6 a vehicle (2 to 8 people or $4 for a single driver) to enter the park (and $2 per person if you wish to tour the fort), it’s one of the best bargains in Florida for a day-vacation. BE SURE TO WATCH THE FORT CLINCH STATE PARK VIDEO BELOW. Also, view or print out the official Fort Clinch State Park map.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS FORT CLINCH VIDEO TO SEE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS WONDERFUL NORTHEAST FLORIDA STATE PARK

Whether you enjoy hiking in the woods (there’s six miles of off-road trails), bird watching, bike riding, fishing, relaxing on the beach, picnicking, camping, or learning about history with a tour of the brick fortress itself, visitors to Amelia Island need to put Fort Clinch on their itinerary. The expansive waterfront vistas from the fort’s outer walls are second to none on Amelia Island.

FISHING AT FORT CLINCH STATE PARK (FISH OFF HALF MILE LONG PIER OR CAST OFF THE SHORELINE)

Fort Clinch is a favorite fishing destination for locals who cast off shore, fish off the half-mile-long fishing pier, or drop anchor near the fort.

When visiting Fort Clinch, it’s always good to be prepared, especially if you’ll be hiking in the woods. Those planning on hiking and biking through the wooded trails should be sure to bring bug repellent (it’s more buggy during the warm months of the year). Those planning on spending time on the beach or fishing pier would be wise to pack sunscreen, beverages and snacks. There are public restrooms near the beach along the wooden dune walkovers, and picnic tables, but no food/drink concessions to buy supplies in the beach area. (However, at the fort itself — you have to drive further into the property, past the beach access area — the fort’s gift shop offers beverages and snacks.)

SOME OF THE SPECIAL EVENTS HELD AT FORT CLINCH STATE PARK

Fort Clinch hosts some events during Amelia Island’s “Wild Amelia Nature Festival,” which takes place each year in May. It’s a great time to visit to experience local nature and learn about our local “bioregion.” Take eco-tours, participate in seminars and workshops, and explore local nature and the history of the Amelia Island area. (For further Wild Amelia Nature Festival information, visit the festival’s official website at www.WildAmelia.com.)

VETERAN’S DAY TRIBUTE AT FORT CLINCH

An excellent program at Fort Clinch is their annual tribute to Veterans in November each year. It’s a wonderful historic production featuring soldiers of different periods in American History definitely worth seeing. You’ll experience a timeline of about 18 representations of soldiers from American conflicts, firing authentic guns, with representative music of each era playing, and a narrator educating the audience.

walk over the drawbridge and through the brick tunnel, to enter the fort’s parade grounds. A nighttime event, the historic fort will be flooded with a spotlight, giving it a luminous glow in the dark. A huge American flag atop the flagpole, will flutter wildly in the stiff, cool breezes (which are typical at this seacoast fort on a November evening). Bring a lawn chair, definitely bring a blanket, and enjoy this very worthwhile, historic show — a great learning experience for kids. (Rather than an entry fee, for this event bring some canned foods to donate.)

CAMPING AT FORT CLINCH STATE PARK

If you like camping, you are in for a real treat! Pitch a tent at Fort Clinch, or bring your RV for a campsite next to the Atlantic Ocean or by the Amelia River. The riverfront campground is lovely, a place where you’ll see spectacular sunsets from the riverbank. The Fort Clinch campground also offers a nice bathhouse facility — they do a good job keeping it clean. Book online camping reservations at Fort Clinch via Reserve America.

Watch another video of Fort Clinch State Park by visiting Amelia Island Living’s social network site featuring videos, photos, blog & more.
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Call this Florida state park for more information about the complete special events schedule, at 904-277-7274.
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