Fort Clinch State Park

Pentagonal brick fort at the northern tip of Amelia Island, guarding the mouth of the St. Marys River since construction began in 1847. Built from nearly five million bricks as part of the Third System of American coastal fortifications and named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch of Second Seminole War fame. Confederate hands at the start of the Civil War; Robert E. Lee ordered it abandoned, and Union troops walked in unopposed in March 1862. Costumed reenactors portray the 1864 Union garrison on the first weekend of every month — cannon drills, musket demonstrations, blacksmith and cooking stations. Park also holds a 1,400-acre preserve with beach access, campground, and a fishing pier.

What to order

Time your ride for the first weekend of the month to catch the live-history garrison. Otherwise, morning is coolest for climbing the ramparts, and the fishing pier at high tide is the local move if you're staying longer. $6/vehicle entry, plus $2.50/person to enter the fort itself.

Hours

Park grounds daily 8a–sundown · fort daily 9a–5p