Touring Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, Florida

Visiting Fort Clinch State Park is fun - even if you aren't that interested in old, restored forts. There are so many things to do inside Fort Clinch, as well as on the grounds of the Fort Clinch State Park, that you'll just have fun and maybe learn something in the process.

I happen to like visiting forts and have been to several throughout the South. Each has its own "flavor" and special area of interest. You'll find that Fort Clinch is one of the most enjoyable forts you could visit. Besides the fort, the grounds of the Fort Clinch State Park are lovely most any time of year. We recently visited and found out why visitors give this particular state park and fort very high marks.

Fort Clinch State Park - Biking, Hiking, Swimming, Camping and More

Fort Clinch State Park combines a lot to do and see but you can easily enjoy it in a day or even an afternoon, if you wish. The prime attraction, of course, is Fort Clinch. But there are biking and hiking trails as well as stunning views of the marsh and the ocean. The beach along Fort Clinch is known as a good place for shelling - and especially for hunting for sharks teeth. So plan to spend some time looking!

We visited Fort Clinch State Park on a blustery March day. Although it was not a cold day, the wind was definitely chilly, blowing very briskly off the ocean, and it was not a good day for looking for shark's teeth or spending time on the beach. However, we did check out the beach area. In addition to a nice boardwalk to the beach that includes picnic tables and restroom facilities, there is also a long pier for sight-seeing and fishing. After braving the wind and the blowing sand on the beach for 10 minutes, we didn't venture out to the pier. We'll have to save that for another day.

Likewise, we decided to leave the bikes at home and didn't walk very far on the trails, either. But all trails are well marked and parking is plentiful enough for any but the busiest of days. The biking trails include both on-road and off-road biking. Note that the off-road biking trail follows the dunes and is considered quite strenuous (for Florida). Off-trail biking requires a helmet. Along the main road through Fort Clinch State Park are numerous pull-offs for viewing the marsh and the beach. You'll find one of the most scenic views to be of the Amelia Island Lighthouse across the marsh.

Fort Clinch State Park - History of the Fort

Because we visited Fort Clinch State Park on the first Saturday of the month, numerous reenactors were installed at the fort and we decided to spend the majority of our visit there.

Construction began on Fort Clinch in 1847 during a time when forts were being built as Third System Fortifications or the "ultimate" fort. Third system fortifications like Fort Clinch included two walls, one of earth and one of brick, providing the "ultimate" in security. Because this time period in America was a relatively quite period, construction was slow to happen on Fort Clinch and it was never fully completed.

By 1860, only one-third of the walls at Fort Clinch were complete and a few or the buildings were in various stages of completion. At the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, the Confederates took over the fort but left it as it was. The Union Army re-established control in 1863 and eventually ordered brick from New York to work toward the completion of Fort Clinch. You can see where two different types of brick are used throughout many parts of the fort for finishing the buildings. Although they worked until 1867, Fort Clinch was still incomplete and deactivated until 1898 when it was used once again during the Spanish-American War.

By the time World War II rolled around, however, Fort Clinch had been owned privately by investors since 1926 and then by the State of Florida for seven years. During the late 1930's, The Civilian Conservation Corps spent some time restoring buildings in the fort as well as building campgrounds and roads to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the fort itself. Still, even as a recognized state park, Fort Clinch received some use during World War II as a Coast Guard lookout point.

Fort Clinch on Amelia Island - What to See

With all the stops and starts on the fort, you'd think it there would be nothing to see. Instead, it is a very well-done restoration that lets you see the everyday life of a soldier in a fairly remote outpost of America during the 1860's. You can see the restored kitchen, laundry, jail, hospital and barracks, as well as the latrines, just to name a few of the interesting highlights. And you won't just see empty rooms, either. Most of these rooms have been thoughtfully equipped with antiques or replicas that would have been in the service of a solider during the 1860's, including bedding, tables, chairs, books, pottery, oil lamps, clothes and knapsacks. Unlike many forts where the cannon are missing or are replicas, it appears that many of the cannon in place are the ones that were originally placed there. There is a picture that you can view in the Fort Clinch Museum that shows old cannon sitting in the middle of the parade area in the 1930's.

Unlike many historic sites where you are "forced" into a formal tour situation, at Fort Clinch you are free to wander throughout the buildings as you please. And you can wander into many of the buildings. You aren't left to peer into dusty windows like many historical attractions. You also won't be deluged with lengthy boards of written material to read at each area of interest. Instead, Fort Clinch uses reenactors to tell you the story of the fort and they lend a definite feeling of history as you come upon them going about their daily routines. While they do stay in character for the most part, again, you don't have to worry about asking them a "modern-day" question and getting an unintelligible answer. The reenactors do a good job of providing answers for both time periods!

Fort Clinch State Park - A Must-See While Visiting Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, Florida

Visitors vacationing on Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, Florida should definitely include a trip to Fort Clinch State Park on their itinerary. While on our visit, we saw cars from all over the United States, including Colorado, Vermont, Tennessee, Michigan, as well as several from Canada. Obviously, the word is out that this is a worthwhile stop.

Visiting Fort Clinch would also be a worthwhile activity for more local guests. It is an easy hour's drive from Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island, Georgia as well as from Jacksonville or St. Augustine. There are several forts in the Savannah, Georgia area, too, so it would be interesting to stop at all of them if you enjoy visiting forts. It would certainly be worthwhile to combine Fort Clinch with the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida if you are visiting that area.

Fort Clinch on Amelia Island - Tips for Visiting the Fort

Like many forts there are plenty of alcoves, tunnels, winding staircases, and rooms for storing powder and guns to explore. You can walk around the top of the fort for an excellent view of the ocean and your surroundings. Keep in mind while exploring that the walls are old and could crumble, the stairs are steep and narrow (what were our ancestors thinking!), and there are plenty of places to stumble if you aren't careful. Still, it's a wonderful place to explore - just be careful and keep an eye on the kids.

Because we visited Fort Clinch on a Saturday, I was a little concerned as what a visitor would see at the fort on a weekday. We asked at the main desk and were told that the buildings were open and a reenactor(s) present on weekdays, too, so if you come during the week you should be able to get any questions you might have answered. However, I think Fort Clinch would be most fun when there are more reenactors on the weekends or during special events.

The good and bad news about Fort Clinch is that it is not littered with signage. You will receive a nice brochure with some information on the fort when you pay for admittance but if you don't ask the reenactors questions you are left on your own. Most of the buildings are identified in the brochure and are obvious upon sight, but if you want to know what a certain alcove or tunnel was used for then you might be out of luck.

I was surprised that there wasn't a more informative guided tour book available at the gift store. Most forts I have been to have 2 or 3 books of various lengths and prices dedicated to historical information or self-tour guides. I looked on my way out of Fort Clinch but didn't see any extensive literature about the fort. I hope someone will write a longer pamphlet or book to provide even more history on this interesting place.

Be sure you don't miss the fort museum - either after leaving the gift shop/ticket counter or before entering the fort. The museum is sitting perpendicular to the walkway, on your right as you head toward the gift shop/ticket counter. You can actually visit the fort museum without paying for a ticket. However, once you buy your ticket inside the gift shop you are guided to the fort - not the museum. By all means, visit the museum. I would do it first, if possible. There is a nice display that explains the way forts were built and why Fort Clinch is of special significance. There are also some photos, some artifacts and a short film that explains the buildings. All are worth viewing before going into see the fort. Or, you can do it after, like we did. But first would be better.

Bring your camera. There are many beautiful photo opportunities - whether looking out at the beach or at ferns growing in crevices in the brick of the fort. This could also be a great place to get some beautiful backgrounds for informal portrait shots. Of course, you need to ask permission before getting into anything too involved.

A windbreaker is nice for windy or cooler days. Be careful if you're wearing a hat. You might lose it if you're up on the walls of the fort. And, you'll want to bring water and snacks or even lunch if you're visiting during the heat of the summer or want to stay all day. The gift shop sells drinks and a few snacks and there were a few snacks inside the fort itself - probably more on busier days - but you'll want to have your own, too.

Fort Clinch offers a candlelight tour on Saturday nights during certain months. We definitely plan to come back again to visit during the candlelight tour.

Fort Clinch State Park - A Lot to See for Not a Lot of Dough

One of the best parts about Fort Clinch State Park is that it is very affordable. Charge to visit the park is only $5 per car. There is an additional charge of $2 per person for entering the actual fort. I think it is very reasonable for what you will see.

Pets are not allowed in the fort area or on the beach, but they can stay in the campgrounds and walk along the main road, on leash of course.

How to Find Fort Clinch State Park

Fort Clinch is located on Amelia Island, Florida on the Florida-Georgia border. The fort is located near Fernandina Beach and you can look across the water to Cumberland Island and St. Mary's, Georgia.

Fort Clinch State Park
2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
(904) 277-7274
Park Hours: 8am - Sunset
(Hours for the actual fort may be different)

Sources:
My visit to Fort Clinch and Fort Clinch State Park.
Special Events at Fort Clinch State Park, Florida Online Park Guide, floridastateparks.org
Activities at Fort Clinch State Park, Florida Online Park Guide, floridastateparks.org
Fort Clinch Park Photo Gallery, Florida Online Park Guide, floridastateparks.org