Historic Sites, Monuments & Landmarks · St. Augustine
Fort Matanzas National Monument
- Since
- 1742
- Location
- St. Augustine
- Languages
- English
Story
Overview
Fort Matanzas National Monument, managed by the National Park Service, preserves the fortified coquina watchtower completed in 1742 to defend the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. The fort stands on Rattlesnake Island in the middle of the Matanzas River, where its cannon point toward the river's inlet.
Fort Matanzas is one of two National Park Service sites in St. Augustine; the other is Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Life at the Fort
The few enlisted soldiers stationed at Fort Matanzas shared a small, sparse room as their living space. Today visitors reach the fort on a free passenger ferry and can explore the soldiers' quarters, the gun deck, and the observation deck.
Nature
Beyond the fort, the monument protects about 300 acres of Florida coastal environment, including dunes, marsh, and maritime forest, along with the plants and animals that live there, among them threatened and endangered species. More than 250 plant species have been identified in the park. An elevated boardwalk nature trail leads through barrier island habitat, and boardwalks lead to the ocean and river beaches.
More than half a million people visit Fort Matanzas each year to enjoy both the fort and the beaches.
Hours
The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The ferry to the fort runs Thursday through Monday, with no ferry service on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. During thunderstorms, the fort closes and ferry service is suspended until the storm has passed.
Products & services
Free Admission
There is no entrance fee at Fort Matanzas National Monument.
Free Ferry to the Fort
A free passenger ferry to the fort leaves from the Visitor Center dock Thursday through Monday, with departures at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m. and 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. The trip lasts about 45–55 minutes. Every rider, including children and babies, needs a free boarding pass, issued in person at the Visitor Center on the day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis; passes often run out before 11 a.m. No reservations are taken. Boarding begins 5 minutes before each departure. Trips may be canceled without notice due to lightning or wind.
Visitor Center
Information about the fort tour, exhibits, the park movie, and the National Park passport stamp.
Nature Trail & Beaches
An elevated boardwalk nature trail through barrier island habitat, and boardwalks to the ocean and river beaches a quarter mile south of the main park entrance.
Virtual Tour
An online virtual tour of the fort's gun deck and observation deck.
Park Mobile App
The free NPS Fort Matanzas National Monument app for Android and iOS, with audio-described entrances and exhibits, captioned videos, and offline content.
Education & Youth Programs
Field trips, curriculum materials, distance learning, the Junior Ranger program, camps, and online activities.
Accessibility Services
Sign language interpreters for ranger programs with three weeks' notice, captioned films, audio descriptions in the park app, and Braille versions of the park brochure and nature trail guide on request. Free Access Passes for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities are available at the Castillo de San Marcos ticket booth.
Bark Ranger Program
A program for visitors with dogs. Pets are not allowed in park buildings, on the boat, or at the fort; only service animals are permitted there.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer programs at the park.
Location
8635 A1A South, Saint Augustine, FL, 32080
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