Fernandina Beach, Florida

Contact Information
2601 Atlantic Avenue
Fernandina Beach, 32034
(904) 277-7274

Reservation Information: 1-800-326-3521

Driving Directions
Take I-95 to the Fernandina Beach/Callahan exit (Milepost Exit 373 - Old Exit 129), and stay to the right. You will then be traveling east on A1A. (This road becomes 8th Street within the town limits of Fernandina.) Stay on this road, (A1A), for 16 miles until you come to the intersection of 8th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Turn right on Atlantic Avenue and go about two miles, Fort Clinch State Park will be on the left.

Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Park Activities

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 rode 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.

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.

Full Facility Camping

Fort Clinch State Park has two campgrounds.

The Atlantic Beach campground has 21 sites with 20- and 30-amp hookups, potable water, in-ground fire rings, and a picnic table for each site. Bathrooms with hot showers are centrally located in this campground and washing machines are available also. These sites can accommodate rigs of any size, and are all back-in sites. Dump station is located near the entrance to the to the campground.

The Amelia River campground has 41 campsites located near the Amelia River in an oak hammock. All sites are shaded by large trees and are back-in sites. All sites have 20- and 30-amp hookups, potable water, in-ground fire rings, and picnic tables. There are two bathrooms, each with hot showers. Washing machines and dryers are located at the larger of the two bathrooms. A dump station is located near the campground’s entrance.

Nature Trails
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 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.

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
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.

Youth Camping
The Youth Area Campground at Fort Clinch State Park can hold up to 100 occupants. There are four sites located at this area. Bathrooms with hot water are provided and both men and women facilities are ADA accessible.