10 of the Best Things to Do at Fort Clinch State Park

1. Visit the Museum and Fort Clinch

The Fort Clinch Museum, located inside the park, invites you to explore history through exhibits featuring a restored Gatling gun, an antique carriage, and a collection of photographs that trace the fort’s construction.

The park is open daily from 8 AM until sunset, while the museum welcomes guests every day from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission to the park is $6 per vehicle, which covers access to both the park and the museum, as well as the visitor center, where you’ll find unique souvenirs and helpful information.

2. Bike Along the Shore

The park contains 3.3 miles of paved road, a 6-mile off-road trail, and several miles of beach with hard-packed sand on which you can ride your bike!

Tip: Fairbanks House allows guests complimentary access to Beach Cruiser bikes, beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, backpacks, and coolers!

3. Bring Binoculars for Birdwatching

Did you know this park is one of the first stops on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail? Encounter a variety of bird species such as woodpeckers, red-tailed hawks, Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, warblers, wrens, Gull-billed Terns, Wood Storks, and more!

4. Hike the Sand Dunes

You can choose to hike the six-mile Willow Pond Hiking Trail that encircles a series of freshwater ponds. If you prefer, you can opt to stroll along the beaches of the Cumberland Sound where it’s possible to see the Cumberland Island National Seashore where wild horses roam!

5. Go Fishing

Fishermen and women will find plenty of popular fishing spots at the park! Surf fishing along the Atlantic shoreline and St. Mary’s Inlet allows for the potential to catch redfish, black drum, whiting, flounder, mullet, sea trout, and more.

6. Try Your Hand at Geo-Seeking

If you always wanted to hunt for treasure, the park is a great place to start! Try your hand at this new and exciting Geo-Seeking activity that allows you to track down trinkets, treasures, and more throughout the park! Be sure to check out this Geocaching website to get started!

7. Pack a Picnic

For those of you planning a romantic getaway, consider packing a picnic to take to the park! There’s nothing better than enjoying the warm, breezy weather in a sunny spot on the beach while savoring your lunch.

8. Collect Seashells and Sharks’ Teeth

Beachcombing is a popular pastime for seashell and sharks’ teeth collectors. Some of the best spots for finding shells include the areas north and south of the jetty rocks! Additionally, you can find sharks’ teeth along the shoreline near the fort.

9. Get in the Water

One of the best ways to experience the park is by surfing, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking! Just be aware that only the most experienced sea kayakers should venture out. St. Mary’s Inlet is known for powerful, unpredictable currents.

10. Observe Local Flora and Fauna

Not only will you see a variety of birds at the park, but you can also spot dolphins, turtles, deer, alligators, raccoons, and more!

Beyond knowing what kind of animals you’ll see is knowing where to look for them!

Here’s where to get the best views of local wildlife when you visit:

• The Jetty Boardwalk is best for viewing shorebirds, dolphins, pelicans, and sea turtles
• The Bird Pavilion offers views of migratory birds and occasional bald eagles
• Willow Pond Nature Trail is full of alligators, raccoons, and the occasional bobcat.
• Egans Creek Overlook is where you’ll find the marsh habitat and species like great herons and great white egrets
• St. Marys Inlet shoreline has been known to offer views of everything from dolphins and wild horses to right whales.

Tip: The best times to see wildlife in the park are either early in the morning or just before sunset!

Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Clinch State Park

Sunset Fort photo credit: AmeliaIsland.com

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