Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Castillo de San Marcos
National Monument

The Castillo de San Marcos served as an outpost of the Spanish Empire, protecting St. Augustine, the first permanent settlement by Europeans in the continental United States, and the primary sea route for ships returning to Spain from its completion in 1695 .

In its history, the Castillo has served a number of nations, but it has never been taken through millitary force. During the 18th century, the Castillo went from Spanish control to British and back to the Spanish , who remained in power in Florida until the area was purchased by the United States in 1821.

Made a National Monument in 1924, the Castillo became part of the National Park system in 1933. The Park consists primarily of the cultural and historic site of the Castillo itself with its attendant grounds, some 25 total acres.

For further information on the history of the Castillo, visit the Castillo de San Marcos website.

Visitation

Highest July through early September, and in December and January; lowest from the middle of September through early December.

Location

St. Augustine, Florida

Address

Headquarters: Castillo de San Marcos NM
One South Castillo Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32084

Telephone

(904) 829-6506

Operating Hours

The Castillo de San Marcos is open to the public from 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM every day of the year except Christmas Day.

Climate, Recommended Clothing

Summers can be very hot and bright with high humidity and afternoon thundershowers highly possible. We suggest you have some kind of sun protection, and some type of easily carried raingear. Winters can be cooler than thought, and sudden cold snaps should be taken into account.

Directions

Visitors traveling East-West on I-10 should take I-295 or I-95 south and take the exit for St. Augustine's Historic Downtown. Those traveling North-South on I-95, US 1, or A1A should take measures to also make their way into the downtown of St. Augustine, where the Castillo de San Marcos can be found on the bayfront, just north of the Bridge of Lions.

Transportation

To Park: access by I-95, US 1, A1A, and numerous state routes; nearby Jacksonville and Daytona are served by international airports.

In Park: personal vehicle, bike, walking, public transportation (tour trains)

Fees, Costs, Rates

Admission prices are adults $4, children 16 and under are free when accompanied by a responsible adult. Senior U.S. citizens who have a National Park Service Golden Age Pass are admitted free, as are members of their immediate family as defined on the card's reverse side.

Facilities and Opportunities

Visitor Center/Exhibits

There is no visitor center in the park, but museum exhibits are maintained within the Castillo.

Programs /Activities

Regularly scheduled Ranger Programs and Junior Ranger Programs are offered year round. Also special Living History events are scheduled on the Castillo grounds throughout the year. School teachers and tour operators can make school group reservations during the academic year by calling 904-829-3099.

To find more information on special events and volunteer activities, visit the Castillo de San Marcos Homepage.

For information on archeology, visit SEAC

Lodging

None in park.

Food/supplies

Local restaurants, grocery stores.

Other Concessions

There is a bookstore inside the Castillo operated by Eastern National (904- 824-2615).

Accessiblity/ Special Needs

The entire first floor and grounds of the Castillo are wheelchair accessible, with only the top gundeck unavailable to those in wheelchairs. Handicapped parking is available in the parking lot, as are spaces for busses for short term parking.

Adjacent Visitor Attractions

The Fort Mose National Historic Landmark, the site of the first legally sanctioned free black settlement in North America, is located north of the Castillo de San Marcos. More information on the site and its history can be found at The Fort Mose Homepage .

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is one of the sites featured in Along the Georgia/Florida Coast, a travel itinerary from the National Register of Historic Places that explores America's past through visits to historic places.