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Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Designation: National Monument

Location: Florida

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park 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.

🌤 Weather Information

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.

🚗 Directions

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.

Images

Drawbridge entrance to the Castillo de San Marcos

Crossing a dry moat, this drawbridge was the only way into the Castillo.

Credit: NPS Photo

Furnace for heating cannon balls

This furnace, in the water battery on the east side of the Castillo, heated cannonballs red hot to be fired at wooden vessels.

Credit: NPS Photo

Four black iron cannon mounted on carriages line the walls of the Castillo.

The Castillo features both iron and bronze cannon and mortar from the period.

Credit: NPS Photo

Re-enactors of the first Spanish period cover their ears while firing a cannon.

Cannon firing demonstrations are scheduled five times a day every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Credit: NPS Photo

Aerial view of the Castillo and the city of St. Augustine

the Castillo commands the northern edge of the heart of downtown St. Augsutine.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Monday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday
9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance Fees

Entrance - Per Person
The Castillo de San Marcos is considered to be a "walk-in" park. The entrance fee applies to each individual. Tickets are not transferable and cannot be given to other guests. Adults (Age 16 and above) entrance is $15.00 and valid for 7 consecutive days. Children (age 15 and under) are admitted free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult.
$15.00

Entrance Passes

Annual Entrance - Park
Pass covers entrance fees only at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Pass allows one passholder to print and sign their name and is valid for 12 months through the month of purchase. Pass covers the passholder and three additional adults (16 and over) when entering the Castillo.
$45.00

3-Day Weather Forecast

Monday, Aug 3

Sunny

Sunny

High: 87.3°F | Low: 74.7°F

Humidity: 84%

Wind: 13.4 mph

Rain Chance: 68%

UV Index: 9.6

Sunrise: 06:45 AM

Sunset: 08:17 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (65%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 76.4°F

Cloud Cover: 68%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Tuesday, Aug 4

Sunny

Sunny

High: 91.1°F | Low: 74.8°F

Humidity: 75%

Wind: 16.1 mph

Rain Chance: 36%

UV Index: 6.7

Sunrise: 06:46 AM

Sunset: 08:16 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (55%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 76.9°F

Cloud Cover: 36%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Wednesday, Aug 5

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 88.2°F | Low: 76.7°F

Humidity: 74%

Wind: 13.4 mph

Rain Chance: 43%

UV Index: 10

Sunrise: 06:47 AM

Sunset: 08:15 PM

Moon: Last Quarter (44%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 76.4°F

Cloud Cover: 43%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Fee Stations Credit Card Only Information
Fee Stations are only accepting credit cards for the purchase of entry tickets and passes.
Visitor Parking Lot Will Be Closed on July 4 Park Closure
The main visitor parking lot will be closed on July 4. The 24-hour parking lot closure applies only to vehicles. Sidewalks, green spaces and pedestrian routes around the Castillo will remain fully open, and visitors may continue to walk to the seawall, the fort grounds and surrounding areas.

Park Events

Colonial Craft Weekend

Resilient women through history played a great role in the story of the Castillo, from the first indigenous women who arrived here 14,000 years ago to the women who represent the National Park Service at the fort today. On March 14 and 15, meet women and men from many eras of St. Augustine's history and watch them demonstrate the skills and trades that have kept Florida surviving and thriving.

This event will take place inside of the Castillo de San Marcos from 10 AM to 3 PM on both March 14 and 15. Regular admission applies. Note: Cannon demonstrations are cancelled for this weekend.

Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Mar 14, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Colonial Craft Weekend

Resilient women through history played a great role in the story of the Castillo, from the first indigenous women who arrived here 14,000 years ago to the women who represent the National Park Service at the fort today. On March 14 and 15, meet women and men from many eras of St. Augustine's history and watch them demonstrate the skills and trades that have kept Florida surviving and thriving.

This event will take place inside of the Castillo de San Marcos from 10 AM to 3 PM on both March 14 and 15. Regular admission applies. Note: Cannon demonstrations are cancelled for this weekend.

Date: Mar 15, 2026 12:00am to Mar 15, 2026 12:00am

Paid Event

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
11 South Castillo Drive
Saint Augustine, FL 32084

🏤 Mailing Address:
1 South Castillo Drive
Saint Augustine, FL 32084

📞 Voice Phone: 9048296506

📞 Fax Phone: 9048239388

✉️ Email: casa_ranger_activities@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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