Fort Clinch State Park, located on the north end of
Amelia Island, is a wonderful place to spend a summer day or night. The pre-Civil War fort
is a great place to explore for kids and adults alike. The rest of the park is well suited
for hiking, picnics, bicycling and fishing, just to name a few activities.
A special way to view to the fort is by candlelight tour. During the summer, these tours
are conducted on Friday and Saturday nights by park rangers. The tours are by reservation
only, and a fee of $2 per person (ages six and up) is charged in addition to the park
entrance fee.
All of the buildings are illuminated by candles. The ranger conducting the tour wears the
uniform of the 1st New York Volunteer Engineers, the soldiers who occupied the fort during
the Civil War. The guide comments on army life and the war in the vernacular of that time.
The 1864 atmosphere is so realistic that no flash photography is allowed to destroy the
illusion.
The park is open everyday from 8 a.m. to sundown. The fort itself is open from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Entrance to the park is $3.25 per vehicle for up to eight people. Admission to the
fort is $1 per person. Camping fee is $17 plus tax per night. Please call the park at
(904) 277-7274 for more information.