Beaches

Shell collecting is excellent on the beaches and avid shark tooth hunters will have plenty of sand to cover in their search.

Bicycling

The park drive has approximately 3.3 miles of paved road for those wishing to ride a touring bicycle. There are several miles of beach with hard packed sand that can be ridden upon during low tides. Please walk bikes on boardwalks leading to beaches. Biking is not permitted on the pier. The off road bike trail is accessible in several locations along the park drive. Traffic is one way for off road bikers and helmets are required for everyone riding the trail. Florida laws require helmets to be worn by all children 16 and under when bicycling roads or trails. Children under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian while bicycling in the park.

Campfire Circles

Join our camping community around the fire circle

Camping, Full Facility

At Fort Clinch State Park, visitors can enjoy the conveniences of modern camping while taking in the rich cultural and natural history of one of Florida's oldest and most diverse state parks.

Nestled at Florida's most northeasterly tip, Fort Clinch State Park offers 61 campsites in two separate and unique campgrounds. Shady, Spanish moss- laden oak trees lend an old Florida ambience to the Amelia River Campground's 40 sites. Across the north tip of the park, just steps from the ocean, the 21 sites at the Atlantic Beach Campground are typical of the Florida beach atmosphere surrounded by snow white sand dunes and sunny sites. Both campgrounds have a dump station, soft drink vending machines, new accessible bathrooms with showers and washing machines. Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, potable water and 20 or 30 amp electric hook-up. Well-behaved and attended pets are welcome at both campgrounds.

Maximum RV length = varies by site configuration with a maximum of 40 ft.

Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287.

Camping, Youth

Four sites in the youth campground accommodate up to 75 campers. Restrooms with hot water are provided and both men's and women's restrooms are ADA accessible. Call the park for reservations at (904) 277-7274.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Visitors who want to launch a canoe or kayak from the park may use the East or West Inlet Parking areas accessed through the Fort Clinch Visitor Center parking lot.  Visitors should exercise extreme caution as this activity is discouraged for all but the most experienced sea kayakers. St Mary’s Inlet is known for extremely strong and unpredictable currents and is a very active shipping channel.  A kayak cart is recommended due to the distance from these parking areas.    

Day Visitors are NOT permitted to launch canoes or kayaks from the Amelia River Campground or Atlantic Beach Campground as these areas are reserved for registered campers only.  Visitors may utilize two free public boat ramps adjacent to the park- Dee Dee Bartels public boat ramp is available free of charge; there is minimal walking distance. Cautioned should be used - this access provides a bit more shelter, but dangerous currents and an active boat channel are still a concern.  The Egans Creek public boat ramp provides direct access to Egans Creek and has less boat traffic and currents. 

Fishing

One can fish along the Amelia River on the west side of the island, along the Cumberland Sound where finger jetties provide excellent haven for game fish, or off the half-mile long fishing pier that divides the Cumberland Sound from the Atlantic Ocean. Surf fishing in the Atlantic Ocean is also quite popular.

Geo-Seeking

The Florida State Parks Civilian Conservation Corps Geotrail is now at www.Geocaching.com. Nine parks were built by the CCC and Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Search for all nine caches and end at the CCC Museum at Highlands Hammock State Park and receive a commemorative geocoin. GC codes: GC38Y93 Fort Clinch State Park
GC3BG4G    Florida Caverns State Park
GC3D02X     Highlands Hammock State Park
GC3BG4A     Hillsborough River State Park
GC3ABB5     Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
GC3BG4N    Myakka River State Park
GC3ABBC    O’Leno State Park
GC38Y8V     Ravine Gardens State Park
GC3BG4E    Torreya State Park
GC38Y9F      Florida State Parks FINAL CCC Cache – located in Highlands Hammock State Park.

Hiking/Nature Trail

Fort Clinch offers a six mile trail for hikers and off road bicyclists. Traffic is one way for bikers and helmets are required. Hikers may travel in either direction. The trail begins at the fort parking lot and parallels the park drive for approximately three miles, then crosses the road and returns back toward the fort on the opposite side. Parts of the trail are heavily forested and traverse ancient dunes that are very steep, offering a challenge to off road bicyclists and hikers as well. Willow Pond Hiking Trail is located centrally along the park drive. Parking is available. Two loops encircle a series of fresh water ponds, the shorter loop takes around 20 minutes, the longer loop takes 45-50 minutes to complete. Wildlife observation is very good on these trails. Alligators, deer, and a variety of bird life can be seen in this area. A guided nature walk is conducted on these trails every Saturday morning at 10:30 AM, weather permitting. Hiking along the beaches of the Cumberland Sound, one can stand on the northernmost reaches of Florida and look over to Cumberland Island National Seashore where wild horses sometimes roam the beaches there. Some of the largest dunes in the state loom over this section of coast, where rugged windblown oaks and gnarled cedar trees anchor the sands in steep inclines.

Pets

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Fort Clinch State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and can not be left unattended for more than a half-hour. Dogs are not permitted in buildings, boardwalk or on the beach.

Picnicking

The picnic area is located in a maritime hammock area surrounded by relic dunes and oak trees. Free standing grills and picnic tables are located there. There is a playground with swings, slide, and climbing bars available for children to play on.

Showers, Day Visitors

The boardwalks that lead to the Atlantic Ocean access and the pier are equipped with showers as well as restroom/changing rooms. Hot water is available at the Amelia River Campground's two shower facilities and at the Atlantic Beach Campground's restroom/shower facility. A shower station is also available along the boardwalk from the campground to the beach along the Cumberland Sound.

Swimming

Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean is offered but there are no lifeguards provided.

Tours

Guided Segway Trips: For those looking for something fun and different to do, EcoMotion Tours provides seasonal Segway tours on Fort Clinch Sate Park between August 15^th and March 15. Segways are a fun, new way to explore. These battery-powered transporters are quiet, comfortable, and self-balancing. And, they’re easier than a bike to maneuver!

After a pre-tour lesson, you’ll be guided along a beautiful shoreline route with sweeping views of Tiger Island and Cumberland Island.  Each trip offers stunning scenery and wonderful wildlife opportunities. Equipped with a wireless listening device, you’ll comfortably hear your guide’s interpretation of the park’s fascinating history and coastal ecology.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Riders’ minimum age is 13 years; maximum weight is 260lbs.  For more information, and for current tour times, please call 904.251.9477 or visit EcoMotion Tours.

Participation Requirements

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center houses the Ft. Clinch Park Store where a variety of camping and fishing supplies may be found.  The store also has snacks, ice cream, soft drinks, fire wood, souvenirs, books and hot coffee and chocolate. The Ft. Clinch Citizen Support Organization (CSO) also provides a small conference/meeting room suitable for small wedding receptions or meetings; the room has a 40 person capacity and is furnished with tables and chairs. Please call the Visitor Center at 904-277-7221 for gift shop information. Call 904-277-6777 for additional information concerning the meeting room.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is possible at this park.