FORT CLINCH STATE PARK
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.
HISTORY OF THE AREA
Fort Clinch was named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch, an important figure in Florida?s Seminole War of the 1830s. Construction of the fort started in 1847 by the federal government and continued during the Civil War.
Occupied by Confederate forces when the war began in 1861, it was taken by federal troops when a withdrawal was ordered by Gen. Robert E. Lee the following year.
The garrison operation was greatly reduced in the years following the Civil War and eventually ceased altogether. In 1898, the fort was reactivated for several months during the Spanish-American War. Today, it remains in a remarkable state of preservation.
In 1935, the state of Florida purchased 256 acres which included the abandoned fort. It was the beginning of a program to acquire adjacent lands and begin development of one of the first and finest state parks in Florida. The civilian Conservation Corps was responsible for the initial building and development of the park. It was formally opened to the public in 1938.
CAMPING
Full Facility Camping
Fort Clinch State Park has two campgrounds. The Atlantic 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: The Amelia River and Atlantic Beach campgrounds are $22.00 plus tax per night. Primitive group camping is $4.00 per person.
Youth Camping
The Youth Area Campground at Fort Clinch State Park can hold up to 100 occupants. There are four sites located at this area. Bathrooms with hot water are provided and both men and women facilities are ADA accessible.
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABILITY CALENDARS
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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.
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.
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.
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.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
CIVIL WAR FORT GARRISONSDate: Aug. 6 & 7
Description: Soldiers will be manning the fort during the following times: Saturdays 9 AM ? 5 PM Sundays 9 AM ? 12 PM
Fees: Park Admission Fee is $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle). Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance permit. Admission Fee $1.00 per person. Single Car Occupant - $3.00 Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00 Admission fee allows visitors admittance to the beaches, trails, pier, and picnic area.
CIVIL WAR FORT GARRISONSDate: Sept. 3 & 4
Description: Soldiers will be manning the fort during the following times: Saturdays 9 AM ? 5 PM Sundays 9 AM ? 12 PM
Fees: Park Admission Fee is $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle). Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance permit. Admission Fee $1.00 per person. Single Car Occupant - $3.00 Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00 Admission fee allows visitors admittance to the beaches, trails, pier, and picnic area.
CIVIL WAR FORT GARRISONSDate: Oct. 1 & 2,
Description: Soldiers will be manning the fort during the following times: Saturdays 9 AM ? 5 PM Sundays 9 AM ? 12 PM
Fees: Park Admission Fee is $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle). Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance permit. Admission Fee $1.00 per person. Single Car Occupant - $3.00 Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00 Admission fee allows visitors admittance to the beaches, trails, pier, and picnic area.
CIVIL WAR FORT GARRISONSDate: Nov. 5 & 6Description: Soldiers will be manning the fort during the following times: Saturdays 9 AM ? 5 PM Sundays 9 AM ? 12 PM
Fees: Park Admission Fee is $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle). Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance permit. Admission Fee $1.00 per person. Single Car Occupant - $3.00 Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00 Admission fee allows visitors admittance to the beaches, trails, pier, and picnic area.
CIVIL WAR FORT GARRISONSDate: Dec. 3 & 4
Description: Soldiers will be manning the fort during the following times: Saturdays 9 AM ? 5 PM Sundays 9 AM ? 12 PM
Fees: Park Admission Fee is $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle). Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance permit. Admission Fee $1.00 per person. Single Car Occupant - $3.00 Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00 Admission fee allows visitors admittance to the beaches, trails, pier, and picnic area.
PETS
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Fort Clinch State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and can not be left unattended for more than a half-hour. Dogs are not permitted in buildings, boardwalk or on the beach.
Pet Camping
Pet camping is available in our campground. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Pets must be confined, leashed, or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes must be hand-held and may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well-behaved at all times and must be confined in the owner's camping unit during designated quiet hours (11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.). Unconfined pets must be leashed and cannot be left unattended for more than thirty minutes. Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets considered a nuisance are not allowed to remain in the park.
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.
