Fort Matanzas National Monument
This National Monument's history is connected with the founding of St. Augustine.
Hurricane Milton Update
Please note, that due to damage from the storm, ferry boat operations to the historic fort are canceled until further notice. The park visitor center and trails are open, and you can reach the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River. The park is worth a visit, even if you can't get to the fort.
The Park and Amenities at Fort Matanzas
The Fort Matanzas National Monument is operated by the National Park Service which has two missions:
- To preserve the fortified coquina watchtower.
- To protect around 300 acres of dunes, marsh, maritime forest, and the flora and fauna that live there.
The property has a nature trail that winds through the maritime forest and along the highest part of the barrier island, known as a hammock. There is also an unpaved trail through the marsh. Both trails are less than a mile in length. There's a shaded picnic area and public restroom facilities near the parking lot adjacent to the visitor center.
Across A1A, there is a parking lot for the Atlantic Ocean beach.
Amenities at Fort Matanzas
- Ferry rides to the Fort Matanzas Monument
- Nature trails
- Fishing, on both the river and the ocean
- Reenactments/demonstrations
- Guided tours
- Picnic area
- Restrooms
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Built in 1742 to defend the city of St. Augustine from British attack, the Fort has stood in the Matanzas Inlet for more than 250 years. A remnant of Florida's Spanish past, President Calvin Coolidge declared the fort a national monument on October 15, 1924. Today the Fort Matanzas Monument is maintained by the National Park Service.
The park hosts frequent reenactments and living history demonstrations depicting the times of the early fortification. A reenactor is on-site almost every day during the summer, relaying the fort's history to visitors. Weapon firing demonstrations also take place on some weekends.
History of Fort Matanzas
Fort Matanzas has a long history closely connected to Pedro Menéndez de Aviles who founded St. Augustine. In 1565, Menéndez killed more than 250 French Huguenots upon the shores of this inlet, including the famed Jean Ribault. Afterward, the Spanish named both the fort and the inlet "Matanzas," which means "slaughters" in English.
Before the fort was built, historians believe a small wooden watchtower guarded the watery 'back door' entrance to St. Augustine. The fort visitors see today was not built until British attacks increased along the Florida coast in the 1740s. Visitors will note some similarities between the construction of St. Augustine's fort, the Castillo de San Marcos, and Fort Matanzas because both are made of coquina. The stone is impenetrable to cannon fire and easy to quarry, providing the Spanish with ample building material.
Visit Fort Matanzas
Admission: FREE
Address: 8636 A1A South, St. Augustine, Florida 32080 (The area is just north of Matanzas Inlet.)
Parking: For the fort, river, and trails, park on the west side of A1A (8635 A1A South on your GPS). For the beach, park east of A1A (8655 A1A South). Transportation to the fort is by ferry only.
Dogs: Dogs on a leash are allowed in the park and on the beach, but not in the buildings, on the ferry, or at the fort.
Ferry to the Fort
The visitor center and most of the park grounds are open daily to the public, however, the fort is only accessible via a passenger ferry, which leaves the mainland hourly, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. The ferry and fort admission are free; guests must obtain a ferry pass from the visitor center.
No person, of any age, may board the ferry without a pass. Passes are given out on the day of the trip only, all passes may be claimed by 11:00 a.m. on busy days. No passes are distributed over the phone.
Other Parks Near Fort Matanzas
Faver-Dykes State Park and the Castillo de San Marcos are the closest to this area. Check out our local Parks Directory and article, Exploring the Past at Fort Matanzas.
