in the wilderness. A good spot to camp here at Fort Matanzas National Monument is Cooksey's Camping Resort; after a long day outdoors La Fiesta Ocean Inn and Suites is a splendid place to spend a night or two.
There is splendid outdoors recreation at Fort Matanzas National
Monument that you could utilize. Camping at Fort Matanzas National Monument is tremendous fun, Shamrock Campgrounds is a tremendous local campground, and some close by water includes San Julian Creek.
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
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