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 A must-see
attraction, Fort Clinch State Park sprawls across the
north-end of Amelia Island. (904)-277-7274
Located at the north end of Amelia
Island lies Fort Clinch State Park, along with pre-civil-war brick
fortress nestled in lush, maritime forest. The park offers 8,400 feet
of shoreline along the Cumberland Sound, as well as 4,000 feet along the
Atlantic Ocean. Take a tour of the fort,
it's really interesting, with huge cannons pointing out to the Cumberland
Sound. The fort's entrance is located at 2601 Atlantic
Avenue, near the Fletcher Avenue intersection, close to Main Beach
(904)277-7274.. The
park offers fishing, hiking on nature trails, camping, beaching, shelling,
picnicking, plus tours of the historic fort.
Read article, see more photos in eMagazine about this must-see
attraction, Fort Clinch. Named
after General Duncan Lamont Clinch, a prominent participant in the
Seminole War of the 1830s, construction of the fort began in 1847,
but it was never 100% completed. During the later years of the civil
war, the fort was occupied by both Confederate and Union
troops. Fort Clinch is one of the best examples of "Third
System Fortifications now in existence, and is proudly listed on the National
Register of Historic Places," according to a park brochure.
The vast park covers 1,121 acres and includes
beachfront as well as hiking/nature trails that wind through natural
maritime forest with tidal marsh and sandy dunes. Experience a
lovely, natural habitat with areas of thick overhead tree canopy, laden
with moss.
Bike Riding
If you'd rather not walk through the
park, then pedal. It's a 3-mile ride into the park from the entrance
at Atlantic Avenue to the fort in the rear of the park, perched above the
Cumberland Sound. There are also wooded bike riding trails within
the park for mountain bikes. (Also see bike
riding section.)
Here's a tip: bring some bug
spray, especially if you plan to ride bikes or hike on wooded trails
within the park (or if you go to the playground/picnic area). The
park has a very nice playground area with picnic tables and barbeques,
shaded by tree canopy. However, you don't want to be there without
some repellent!
Camping
Stay the night or spend a week, if you
like, as the grounds also include a 62 campsites with restrooms and
bathhouse buildings (and campers know not to forget the bug spray). Pet
policy: Pets are allowed in the campground. Pets must be kept on
a hand-held leash (6-feet long) and be "well-behaved."
Fishing & the beach
Fort Clinch has lots of beachfront as noted above, and is located across
from Cumberland Island. You'll walk across wooden boardwalks and
over beautiful, natural sand dunes to reach the beach at Fort Clinch, one
of the most "untouched" settings on Amelia Island.
Both visitors and local residents enjoy casting lines off the park's
fishing pier and from it's sandy shores. Ask about Florida's saltwater fishing
regulations from the Park Ranger station when you enter the Park.
The variety of fish you may catch in the waters around the fort include
flounder, sheepshead, whiting, speckled trout, striped bass, redfish,
drum, and pompano. The most popular bait of choice for fishing in
the local waters around Amelia Island is shrimp. You can purchase it
frozen or fresh from local bait shops.
Historical Re-enactments
Historical re-enactments take place with
volunteers and park rangers dressed in garb reflecting the
past. The re-enactments take place the first weekend of every
month. Demonstrations include the firing of cannons, woodworking,
and the cooking of period food.
Candlelight Tours
A unique experience is also available at
the Fort -- a "candlelight tour." Learn the life of
soldiers, as you meander through the fort by the glow of flickering
candlelight.
The park also has a visitor's center and
a gift shop. Admission to the State Park is $5 per vehicle (for up to 8
people), open 8 am until sunset. The fort itself costs an additional
$1 per person. Call (904)-277-7274 for further information, and
hours for candlelight tours.
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