Castillo De San Marcos National Monument
Planning Your Visit
Unique among National Parks the Castillo de San Marcos embodies nearly 450 years of history and culture that can not be fully experienced in a single visit. A little planning ahead will help make the most of your time with us.
We encourage you to explore our website and discover those areas and activities that interest you the most. The site provides both basic information and background studies that can help you plan a successful visit to the Castillo.
When planning your visit, please keep in mind the average visitor spends between one and two hours at the Park.
Directions
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is located in downtown St. Augustine, Florida. St. Augustine is located on Florida's Northeastern Atlantic coast about midway between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.
Nearby Jacksonville and Daytona are served by international airports with easy access to I-95. Rental cars are available at the airports and also in St. Augustine.
From I-95: Take the exit for St. Augustine Historic Sites and Downtown (Route 16, Exit 318). Follow Rt. 16 to US 1. Turn right on US 1 for two miles to Castillo Drive. Turn left on Castillo to the traffic light. Turn right at the light. The Castillo and parking are ahead on the left.
From US A1A: The Castillo is located on A1A in downtown St. Augustine.
Fees & Reservations
Entrance
Adults (Age 16 and above) Children (age 15 and under)Learn about the Interagency Passes here.
Parking
There is limited metered parking in the Castillo visitors parking area at $0.50 per hour.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The Castillo de San Marcos is open to the public from 8:45 AM to 5:15 pm every day of the year except December 25. (The ticket booth closes at 4:45 pm.) The Park grounds are closed from midnight until 5:30 am.
Visitation is lowest from the middle of September through late November.
Visitation is highest June through Labor Day, and quite high on summer and holiday weekends when an average of 3500 people visit the Castillo daily.
School group visitation is quite high February through May. High visitation can also be expected during the December holidays, and March through April.
Accessibility
The Castillo de San Marcos was built for ancient warfare, not for public touring. Unfortunately, the need to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of the fortress limits access to some areas.
Facilities
Free parking is available in the visitor lot for properly identified vehicles.
The Park can provide a wheelchair for use while visiting the fort. Rental wheelchairs and other conveyances are available from a nearby concession.
The parking lot and the fort's lower level, which includes the museum rooms, the theater, the bookstore and the restrooms, are wheelchair accessible.
Most of the Park's pedestrian walkways are paved; however, those within the moat and covered way are sand and crushed shell stone. The Gun Deck Level can only be reached by stairs
Interpretive Services
The Park brochure is available in English.
Self-guide tour brochures are available in English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese, and French.
The Park Orientation Video is in English.
Things To Know Before You Come
Accessibility
The Castillo is primarily an "out-of-doors" park with no visitor center.
Facilities: The parking area, lower level of the fort, and restrooms are wheelchair accessible; the upper gun deck however can only be reached by stairs.
Interpretive Services: A written park history is available in English. Self-guided tour brochures are available in English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, Dutch, Italian, and French. The park orientation video is in English.
Crowds
Getting Around
The Castillo, like most of downtown St. Augustine, is primarily a pedestrian area. Walking is the best way to visit the historic district which is about one mile long by 1/2 mile wide.
Long term (all day) parking is available for a fee in the city parking garage just behind the Visitor Information Center which is located on the corner of West Castillo and South Castillo Drives, across from the Castillo headquarters building.
Public Transportation
There is limited public transportation in St. Augustine. However, private companies operate tour trains, horse carriages, and bicycle and motor scooter rental stores.
Pets
Pets are not allowed inside the structure of the Castillo de San Marcos though they are allowed in the exterior areas of the park. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Please be responsible and courteous of others when bringing any pets into the park.
Weather
Spring (March through mid-May) and Autumn(October through late November) can be quite pleasant with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s into the 80s F.
The Winter months (December through March) are usually dry. Temperatures can be cooler than one would expect, ranging from the upper 30s through the 60s F generally, though sudden cold snaps can occur.
Threatening Weather
The Castillo de San Marcos is open every day of the year except December 25. However, there are some periods of severe weather that may temporarily require us to close some or all of the Park's operations.
Sunshine: The sun shines bright here, often burning our visitors. Sunburn can occur quickly and can be quite severe. We suggest using a variety of sun protection, including sunscreen, light loose clothing and UV protective sunglasses.
Heat indexes (temperature + humidity) can often exceed 105 F. High heat indexes may limit some of our interpretive programs.
Thunderstorms & Lightning: When it rains in Florida, it usually pours! Florida's thunderstorms are beautiful, powerful and potentially dangerous. Typically short-lived, they can drop several inches of rain in a short period of time.
The majority of Florida's thunderstorms come in the summer months, chiefly during the afternoon. Formed by the combination of humid air and hot temperatures they create strong updrafts which form massive clouds filled with electrical and kinetic energy. Florida is often called the "Lightning Capital of the World" for good reason.
Lightning activity within 6 miles of the Park will require the closing of the upper gun deck to visitation.
Hurricanes: June 1 through November 30 is Hurricane Season in Florida. Hurricanes and Tropical Storms can affect local weather conditions hundreds of miles out from their center of rotation. Be sure to check the tropical weather forecast for the period you plan to visit.
A Hurricane Watch indicates the possibility that hurricane conditions could be experienced within 36 hours.
A Hurricane Warning indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours or less in a particular area.
Park policy requires us to close the Park when Tropical Storm/Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours.
Castillo De San Marcos In Depth
News from the Parks
Rainier Landmark Meets Wrecking Ball
November 18, 2008 - 11:29am
Paradise echoed Monday not with the voices of park visitors, but with the thump and crash of a 4,500-pound wrecking ball smashing through the old visitor center.
November 18, 2008 - 11:29am
Paradise echoed Monday not with the voices of park visitors, but with the thump and crash of a 4,500-pound wrecking ball smashing through the old visitor center.
New River Gorge National River Celebrates 30th Anniversary
November 18, 2008 - 11:24am
The New River Gorge celebrated its 30th year as part of the National Park System last week with the Nov. 10 anniversary of its 1978 designation as a National River.
November 18, 2008 - 11:24am
The New River Gorge celebrated its 30th year as part of the National Park System last week with the Nov. 10 anniversary of its 1978 designation as a National River.
Park to Go with 720 Sleds per Day
November 18, 2008 - 11:22am
Yellowstone National Park officials have opted to allow 720 snowmobiles a day in the park this winter, abandoning a temporary plan they proposed two weeks ago for 318 machines a day.
November 18, 2008 - 11:22am
Yellowstone National Park officials have opted to allow 720 snowmobiles a day in the park this winter, abandoning a temporary plan they proposed two weeks ago for 318 machines a day.
Falling Boulders Endanger Lives at Yosemite
November 18, 2008 - 11:20am
A major rockslide at Yosemite National Park's Curry Village has prompted officials to consider closing part of the lodging area permanently.
November 18, 2008 - 11:20am
A major rockslide at Yosemite National Park's Curry Village has prompted officials to consider closing part of the lodging area permanently.
Interior and Energy Team-up to Make National Parks “Green”
November 18, 2008 - 10:09am
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service (NPS) showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship. With equal amounts of initial “seed money” from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. “This partnership will deploy energy efficient and renewable energy technologies throughout the national park system,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “We have the power to not only improve conditions in the parks, but also demonstrate for the public the impacts and benefits of green energy innovations.” “Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance. With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,” said Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. “Our parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, now they can learn about energy use as well.” “The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.” On the ground, parks will use funding from Energy SmartPARKS to deploy cutting-edge technology as well as traditional solutions, including projects that retrofit lighting systems; purchase electric utility vehicles; install solar panel systems; upgrade meters and thermostats; replace windows and furnaces; study the feasibility of wind power; and conduct energy audits. Lessons learned from these projects can be used in other national parks and in the homes of every American. A list of some of the 2009 projects is available. Two recent projects illustrate the exciting possibilities of Energy SmartPARKS in the future: the exterior relighting of both the White House and the Washington Monument. With ground-breaking technology that improved the exterior illumination, these national icons now look beautiful while being energy efficient at the same time. Although the official assessment of the White House relighting project by DOE has not yet been conducted, early estimates anticipate over 50% energy reduction. The Washington Monument relighting project resulted in a 27% energy reduction with a cut of 36 tons per year in carbon emissions according to the official DOE assessment. The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public. The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks.
November 18, 2008 - 10:09am
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help the National Park Service (NPS) showcase sustainable energy practices and fulfill its mission of environmental stewardship. With equal amounts of initial “seed money” from DOI and DOE totaling $1 million for 2009, the Energy SmartPARKS program hopes to eventually draw private sector support to spark a green energy future in the United States. “This partnership will deploy energy efficient and renewable energy technologies throughout the national park system,” said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. “We have the power to not only improve conditions in the parks, but also demonstrate for the public the impacts and benefits of green energy innovations.” “Our national parks are a showcase of this country's natural beauty and historical significance. With this agreement, we're ensuring that these parks are also models of energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,” said Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. “Our parks have always been an important way for Americans to learn about the environment, now they can learn about energy use as well.” “The Energy SmartPARKS program will make positive, tangible advancements by greening the parks and by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions,” said Mary A. Bomar, Director of the National Park Service. “This is a great way to demonstrate our environmental leadership as we approach the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016.” On the ground, parks will use funding from Energy SmartPARKS to deploy cutting-edge technology as well as traditional solutions, including projects that retrofit lighting systems; purchase electric utility vehicles; install solar panel systems; upgrade meters and thermostats; replace windows and furnaces; study the feasibility of wind power; and conduct energy audits. Lessons learned from these projects can be used in other national parks and in the homes of every American. A list of some of the 2009 projects is available. Two recent projects illustrate the exciting possibilities of Energy SmartPARKS in the future: the exterior relighting of both the White House and the Washington Monument. With ground-breaking technology that improved the exterior illumination, these national icons now look beautiful while being energy efficient at the same time. Although the official assessment of the White House relighting project by DOE has not yet been conducted, early estimates anticipate over 50% energy reduction. The Washington Monument relighting project resulted in a 27% energy reduction with a cut of 36 tons per year in carbon emissions according to the official DOE assessment. The Energy SmartPARKS program will also develop new and expand existing partnerships with the private, non-profit, and academic sectors. These partners may help raise funds, identify projects, find technological solutions, and educate the public. The National Park Service is developing an Energy SmartPARKS website, in partnership with DOI and DOE, to showcase its commitment to a green energy future in America. Visit www.nps.gov/energy in the coming weeks.
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Castillo De San Marcos Gallery
