Things to Do Near St. Augustine: Visit Fort Matanzas

History, wildlife, water, and nature are all things that you can experience in St. Augustine.

Fort Matanzas is near St. Augustine and a wonderful place to visit when you are in the area. Many people don’t know that it’s free! Most visitors have heard of Castillo de San Marcos more than they hear about Fort Matanzas.

However, if you visit Castillo de San Marcos, drive another 15 miles south and you will find Fort Matanzas. 

Fort Matanzas History

It was in 1792 that the coquina watchtower known as Fort Matanzas was completed. This structure defended the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine from attacks on the southern part of the city. It helped protect 300 acres of Florida’s coastline, including marshes, dunes, and forests. 

You can see many live shows of park staff and volunteers dressing in 18^th-century clothing reenacting how the soldiers would have lived at that time. If you choose to take a tour, you can ask questions and get all your answers from a knowledgeable staff member. Many artifacts will be shown along the way, and you will be educated on how these items were used and why they were necessary at the time. 

Another cool part of Fort Matanzas is that you can see what a soldier would carry in their backpack during this time. Plus, looking at a cannon or musket is cool, too! You can even watch these antique guns and cannons in action. During this history lesson, you can learn about various weapons and how they were used. 

Nature Trail

There are many beautiful nature trails in Fort Matanzas that people are unaware of. If you are planning to visit the gorgeous nature trails, check out our St. Augustine balcony suite rentals, which will allow you to have a short drive to these breathtaking sites. 

When you enter the nature trail, remember that all plants and animals are considered protected, so you should avoid picking any flowers or growing plants. You should also remain on the trail and avoid disturbing the natural wildlife. 

The barrier island provides harsh living conditions. However, many species thrive on this land. Take a walk on the half-mile trail and see many species that call this area home. It is full of dunes and wildlife. Much of the wildlife in the area have adapted to the large amount of rain they receive. 

Fort Matanzas Visitors Center

The Visitors Center is where you should begin your trip to Fort Matanzas. Here is where you can watch a 20-minute video that will explain the history of the area you are about to explore. When you are done with the video, you can explore nature! There are many hiking trails available and many species that you can see when on these trails. You can also see many distinct types of demonstrations as well as reenactments right at the Visitors Center. 

Getting to the Park

You will find this park just 14 miles south of St. Augustine’s Historic District. You can locate St. Augustine between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida. If you need an address to Fort Matanzas, it is 8635 A1A South, St Augustine, Florida 32080. 

If you are coming to St. Augustine by car, you will be entering from I-95. You will want to take Exit 205 for Route 206. You will follow this exit for six miles as it turns into Highway A1A. You want to take a right on this road and follow for an additional four miles. The entrance to the park should be on your right side. 

If you are coming to the park from St. Augustine, then this is a short trip. All you need to do is hop on A1A for 14 miles. Again, the entrance is located on your right-hand side. 

For those who are coming from Daytona Beach, you will be taking Highway A1A for 40 miles. The park entrance will be located on your left, just a half-mile to the north of the Matanzas Inlet Bridge. 

Those who are arriving via plane or bus will arrive in either Jacksonville, Daytona, or Orlando. You can use a rental car and follow the directions listed above. Keep in mind that public transportation will not bring you directly to this park. You will need to ensure that you hop on the Sunshine Bus. There are bike racks on the bus to accommodate if you need them. This bus stops four miles north of the park. However, if you are feeling adventurous, there is a pathway that will extend from Fort Matanzas to St. Augustine where you can bike or walk.

Get Involved

If you want to become even more involved, you can volunteer! When you volunteer, you can be the one helping history come to life. There are many programs and events that can always use additional hands. Those who volunteer are going to have a variety of duties, like helping in the visitor center, being in the Junior Ranger Program, and helping with the history coming alive. 

All you need to do is ensure that you read the VIP or Volunteers-in-Park Handbook. This will tell you the different opportunities available and educate you about the rules and regulations that are expected to be followed. You will then need to fill out an application that will ask you about yourself and why you are looking to volunteer. If you want to volunteer, you may want to look at St. Augustine balcony suites. This will ensure that you have a place to rest after a long day outside volunteering! 

If you want to become involved without volunteering, there are still things you can do to help support your park. You will want to pick up all your trash. If you see other trash lying around, pick it up as well, and ensure that you are using the proper trash cans. Avoid climbing on the historic equipment. This will ensure that the park can continue using it for as long as possible. Do not enter the dunes and ensure that you are not touching any of the plants.

If you want to donate to the park, that is an option as well. Donations are used to support the many educational activities that are offered in the visitor center. You can donate when you visit by simply dropping your donation in the collection box when you enter the ferry. You may also mail donations if you would like to help the park as well.