Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Construction for Seawall Project

Starting July 27, 2026, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument will begin construction to replace, raise and rehabilitate the park’s failing seawalls. The historic fort will remain accessible throughout the project. Some areas outside of the fort will be closed for safety.

Information Fee Stations Credit Card Only

Fee Stations are only accepting credit cards for the purchase of entry tickets and passes.

Weather Rip Current Statement issued November 8 at 1:19PM EST until November 9 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Jacksonville FL

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...Northeast Florida Beaches.

* WHEN...Through Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away

from shore into deeper water.

What to do: Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Read the full alert · Until Nov 9, 2026, 12:00 PM

Overview

Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States and interprets more than 450 years of cultural intersections.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Living History
  • Historic Weapons Demonstration
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Park Film

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: The Castillo de San Marcos is open to the public 7 days per week, except Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (December 25). A maximum capacity of 100 visitors in the historic fort at any time will be in effect. First admission is at 9:00 a.m. and last admission is at 5:00 p.m. The Castillo closes and visitors must exit at 5:15 p.m. The park grounds are closed from midnight until 5:30 a.m.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
  • Annual Entrance - Park — $45.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

On State Route A1A overlooking Matanzas Bay in the heart of the historic district of Saint Augustine, the Castillo is approximately a five mile drive from Interstate 95.

Weather

St. Augustine has a semi-tropical climate with over 300 days of sunshine each year. Summers (May-September) are hot, bright, and humid with afternoon thunderstorms common. Temperatures range from the lower 70s to the mid 90s F. Spring (March-mid-May) and Autumn (October-late November) can be pleasant with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s into the 80s F. The Winter months (December-March) are usually dry. Temperatures can be cool ranging from the upper 30s through the 60sF.

Phone: 9048296506

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Furnace for heating cannon balls
Castillo de San Marcos Hot Shot Furnace · NPS Photo
Four black iron cannon mounted on carriages line the walls of the Castillo.
Castillo de San Marcos Cannon · NPS Photo
Re-enactors of the first Spanish period cover their ears while firing a cannon.
Castillo de San Marcos Cannon Firing · NPS Photo
Aerial view of the Castillo and the city of St. Augustine
Castillo de San Marcos Aerial View · NPS Photo

Pair it with