Fort Matanzas National Monument Custom Search Throughout its history, the story of Fort Matanzas has been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos. This Spanish outpost fort was built in 1740-1742 to guard the Matanzas Inlet and to warn St. Augustine of British or other enemies approaching from the south. Fort Matanzas now serves as a reminder of the early Spanish empire in the New World. In addition, the park, which is located on barrier islands along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas estuary, provides a natural habitat rich in wildlife with the salt marsh, scrub, and maritime hammock now protecting endangered and threatened species like the historic Fort Matanzas protected St. Augustine long ago.    CONTACTS Email - FOMA_Site_Supervisor@nps.gov Fax- 904-471-7605 Write to 8635 A1A South St. Augustine, FL 32080 Phone Visitor Information - 904-471-0116 Headquarters - 904-471-0116 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons Fort Matanzas National Monument is open to the public from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm every day of the year except December 25. The ferry to the fort leaves the Visitor Center dock 9:30 to 4:30 on the 'thirty'. The number of visitors is highest March through Labor Day and during the December holidays. Visitation is at its lowest from the middle of September through mid-November. Getting There PLANE - Airports in Jacksonville, Florida (north) and Daytona (south) provide rental cars and easy access to I95. CAR - From I-95: Take exit 92 (Route 206). Follow Route 206 east about 6 miles to Highway A1A. Turn right and follow A1A south for 4 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the road. From St. Augustine: Follow Highway A1A south for approximately 14 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the road. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - No public transportation, however, a bike path or bike lane extends almost all the way from St. Augustine Beach to Fort Matanzas. Weather & Climate Summers can be very hot and bright with high humidity and frequent afternoon thunder showers. Sun protection, including sunscreen and UV filtering sunglasses, is highly recommended. Winters (December through March) can be cooler than one would think, especially with the wind off the water, and sudden cold snaps should be taken into consideration. There is almost always a breeze year 'round. The most temperate periods are the fall and spring seasons when temperatures regularly hover around 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21-26 degrees Celsius). Accessibility The visitor center, restrooms, and boardwalk trails are wheelchair accessible. The ferry boat to the fort and the fort itself are not wheelchair accessible. Handicapped parking is available in the parking lot. FEES/PERMITS Entrance Fee FORT MATANZAS NATIONAL MONUMENT Free! FACILITIES Visitor Centers FORT MATANZAS VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 9:00 am -- 4:30 pm Phone - (904) 471-0116 Location - Directions to the Park-- From I-95: Take exit 92 (Route 206). Follow Route 206 east about 6 miles to Highway A1A. Turn right and follow A1A south for 4 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the road. From St. Augustine: Follow Highway A1A south for approximately 14 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the road. The Visitor Center is located at the back of the entrance road loop. Closures - December 25 Special Programs - 8-minute park video Exhibits - models of the fort, timeline, maps showing relationship of Fort Matanzas to St. Augustine Available Facilities - Information Desk Eastern National book sales area   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Fort Matanzas National Monument.   Campgrounds Near Fort Matanzas National Monument: Anastasia State Park, Saint Augustine, 0 miles away Cooksey's Camping Resort, Saint Augustine, 1 miles away Peppertree Luxury Camping Resort, Saint Augustine, 1 miles away St Augustine Beach KOA, Saint Augustine, 2 miles away Shamrock Campgrounds, Saint Augustine, 4 miles away Faver-Dykes State Park, Saint Augustine, 5 miles away Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort, Saint Augustine, 6 miles away   Marinas Near Fort Matanzas National Monument: Fish Island Marina, Saint Augustine , 3 miles away Cat's Paw Marina, Saint Augustine , 4 miles away Oyster Creek Marina, Saint Augustine , 5 miles away Hidden Harbor Marina, Saint Augustine , 5 miles away Camachee Cove Yacht Harbor, Saint Augustine , 6 miles away   Hotels Near Fort Matanzas National Monument: Quality Inn & Suites Saint Augustine, Saint Augustine , 0 miles away St Augustine Island Inn And Suites, Saint Augustine Beach , 0 miles away Americas Best Value Inn, Saint Augustine Beach , 0 miles away Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort, Saint Augustine Beach , 0 miles away La Fiesta Ocean Inn And Suites, Saint Augustine , 1 miles away Beachfront Bed And Breakfast, Saint Augustine , 1 miles away Beachfront Bed And Breakfast, Saint Augustine Beach , 1 miles away   Beaches Near Fort Matanzas National Monument: Butler Beach, St. Johns County , 3 miles away   Public Lands Near Fort Matanzas National Monument: Castillo De San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine - FL , 5 miles away Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, Jacksonville - FL , 35 miles away Cumberland Island National Seashore, Saint Marys - GA , 59 miles away Anastasia State Recreation Area, Florida , 4 miles away Faver-Dykes State Park, Florida , 10 miles away Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Florida , 13 miles away Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Florida , 17 miles away   Golf Courses Near Fort Matanzas National Monument: Golf Made Simple, Saint Augustine , 2 miles away St Augustine Shores Golf Club & Driving Range, Saint Augustine , 4 miles away St Johns County Golf Course, Saint Augustine , 4 miles away Royal St Augustine Golf, Saint Augustine , 6 miles away St Johns Golf Club, Elkton , 8 miles away   Lakes Near Fort Matanzas National Monument Neoga Lake, Flagler County , 19 miles away