Region:
Northeast
FORT CLINCH STATE PARK
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Contact Information
2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, 32034
(904) 277-7274
Driving Directions
Take I-95 to the Fernandina Beach/Callahan exit
(Milepost Exit 373 - Old Exit 129), and stay
to the right. You will then be traveling east
on A1A. (This road becomes 8th Street within
the town limits of Fernandina.) Stay on this
road, (A1A), for 16 miles until you come to
the intersection of 8th Street and Atlantic
Avenue. Turn right on Atlantic Avenue and go
about two miles, Fort Clinch State Park will
be on the left.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until
sundown 365 days a year.
Park Fees
Park entrance fees per vehicle are $3.25 for
up to 8 people in a vehicle. Any over 8 people,
add one dollar ($1.00) per person. Pedestrians
and bicyclists entering park, $1.00 per person.
Entrance fees allow admittance to beaches, trails,
pier, and picnic area. Entrance to the fort
is $2.00 per person additional, paid at gift
shop. Late Fish passes may be purchased at Ranger
Station at least one hour before closing, these
passes permit fishing after dark on pier only.
Late Fish pass fees are $6.46 per vehicle, tax
included. Candlelight Viewing and Candlelight
Tour fees are $3.00 per person.
Fort Clinch State Park, one of the oldest parks
in the Florida park system, was acquired in
September 1935. The Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) was responsible for some of the initial
development of the park. A steep ramp leads
to the second story of the Fort and Living History
reenactors talk about life as a soldier stationed
at Fort Clinch.
Park Activities
Beaches, Bicycling, Full Camping, Youth Camping,
Fishing, Nature Trails, Picnicking, Showers,
Swimming, and Interpretive Centers
Beaches
Shell collecting is excellent on the beaches
and avid shark tooth hunters will have plenty
of sand to cover in their search.
Bicycling
The park drive has approximately 3.3 miles of
paved road for those wishing to ride a touring
bicycle. There are several miles of beach with
hard packed sand that can be rode upon during
low tides. Please walk bikes on boardwalks leading
to beaches. Biking is not permitted on the pier.
The off road bike trail is accessible in several
locations along the park drive. Traffic is one
way for off road bikers and helmets are required
for everyone riding the trail. Florida laws
require helmets to be worn by all children 16
and under when bicycling roads or trails. Children
under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian
while bicycling in the park.
Full Facility Camping
Fort Clinch State Park has two campgrounds.
The Alantic Beach campground has 21 sites with
20- and 30-amp hookups, potable water, in-ground
fire rings, and a picnic table for each site.
Bathrooms with hot showers are centrally located
in this campground and washing machines are
available also. These sites can accommodate
rigs of any size, and are all back-in sites.
Dump station is located near the entrance to
the to the campground.
The Amelia River campground has 41 campsites
located near the Amelia River in an oak hammock.
All sites are shaded by large trees and are
back-in sites. All sites have 20- and 30-amp
hookups, potable water, in-ground fire rings,
and picnic tables. There are two bathrooms,
each with hot showers. Washing machines and
dryers are located at the larger of the two
bathrooms. A dump station is located near the
campground’s entrance.
Camping Fees (Tax is included in prices.)
$18.53 per night without electricity
$20.67 per night with electricity
Additional fees for pets, extra vehicles, and
extra persons. Pets must have proof of rabies
vaccination prior to entering the campground.
Fishing
One can fish along the Amelia River on the west
side of the island, along the Cumberland Sound
where finger jetties provide excellent haven
for game fish, or off the half-mile long fishing
pier that divides the Cumberland Sound from
the Atlantic Ocean. Surf fishing in the Atlantic
Ocean is also quite popular.
Nature Trails
Fort Clinch offers a six-mile trail for hikers
and off road bicyclists. Traffic is one way
for bikers and helmets are required. Hikers
may travel in either direction. The trail begins
at the fort parking lot and parallels the park
drive for approximately three miles, then crosses
the road and returns back toward the fort on
the opposite side. Parts of the trail are heavily
forested and traverse ancient dunes that are
very steep, offering a challenge to off road
bicyclists and hikers as well.
Willow Pond Hiking Trail is located centrally
along the park drive. Parking is available.
Two loops encircle a series of fresh water ponds,
the shorter loop takes around 20 minutes, the
longer takes 45-50 minutes to complete. Wildlife
observation is very good on these trails. Alligators,
deer, and a variety of bird life can be seen
in this area. A guided nature walk is conducted
on these trails every Saturday morning at 10:30
AM, weather permitting.
Hiking along the beaches of the Cumberland
Sound, one can stand on the northernmost reaches
of Florida and look over to Cumberland Island
National Seashore where wild horses sometimes
roam the beaches there. Some of the largest
dunes in the state loom over this section of
coast where rugged windblown oaks and gnarled
cedar trees anchor the sands in steep inclines.
Picnicking
The picnic area is located in a maritime hammock
area surrounded by relic dunes and oak trees.
Free standing grills and picnic tables are located
there. There is a playground with swings, slide,
and climbing bars available for children to
play on.
Showers
The boardwalks that lead to the Atlantic Ocean
access and the pier are equipped with showers
as well as restroom/changing rooms. Hot water
is available at the Amelia River Campground's
two shower facilities and at the Atlantic Beach
Campground's restroom/shower facility. A shower
station is also available along the boardwalk
from the campground to the beach along the Cumberland
Sound.
Swimming
Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean is offered but
there are no lifeguards provided.
