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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

Wednesday, Mar 4

Patchy rain nearby

Patchy rain nearby

High: 63.9°F | Low: 56.3°F

Humidity: 97%

Wind: 8.5 mph

Rain Chance: 86%

UV Index: 1.6

Sunrise: 06:48 AM

Sunset: 06:26 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (100%)

Visibility: 3 mi

Dew Point: 58.6°F

Cloud Cover: 86%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Thursday, Mar 5

Partly Cloudy

Partly Cloudy

High: 71.6°F | Low: 55.2°F

Humidity: 94%

Wind: 11.2 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0

Sunrise: 06:47 AM

Sunset: 06:27 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (97%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 63.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Mar 6

Fog

Fog

High: 68.7°F | Low: 63.5°F

Humidity: 94%

Wind: 10.1 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 4

Sunrise: 06:45 AM

Sunset: 06:28 PM

Moon: Waning Gibbous (93%)

Visibility: 4 mi

Dew Point: 64.2°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Weather Alerts (1)

⚠️ Rip Current Statement (Moderate)
▼

Rip Current Statement issued March 4 at 12:50AM EST until March 5 at 4:00AM EST by NWS Jacksonville FL

Effective: Mar 4, 2026 12:50am
Expires: Mar 5, 2026 4:00am

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Duval, Coastal Flagler, Northeast Coastal St.
Johns and Southeast Coastal St. Johns Counties.

* WHEN...From 10 AM EST this morning through late tonight.

* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.

Park Alerts

Fee Stations Credit Card Only Information
Fee Stations are only accepting credit cards for the purchase of entry tickets and passes.
Saturday, January 25th Matanzas 5K Road Closures
If you plan on being here early on Saturday, Jan 25th, please be aware that there is a 5K race beginning at 9:00am with many of the local roads closed to traffic beginning at 8:30am.
Summer Weather
Afternoon Thunderstorms can create dangerous amounts of lightning strikes. If Lightning is visible from the Castillo, Gundeck closures will take place. Click this link for the local weather forcast.

More Info

Fee Stations Credit Card Only Information
Fee Stations are only accepting credit cards for the purchase of entry tickets and passes.
Park Closed Danger
The park is closed until further notice due to the effects of Hurricane Matthew. Updates will be posted as the extent of the damage becomes known and a time frame for reopening is determined.
Unmanned aircraft prohibited
Unmanned aircraft are prohibited from being operated within park boundaries.
Program Change
The historic weapons demonstrations (cannon firings) will not take place from February 21 through March 5th.
Public Comment Period on Seawall Project Information
The NPS is inviting public comment on this project from June 9 to July 9, 2025, on the project to raise and rehabilitate the Castillo's seawall. Click to visit the Park Planning website, review the project, and leave a comment.

More Info

Holiday Open House
The annual Castillo de San Marcos National Monument “Holiday Open House” will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Park Rangers and volunteers will bring the history of the Castillo to life at this free, community event.

More Info

4th of July Fireworks Information Information
If you’re planning on visiting the old fort to watch the City of St. Augustine’s Independence Day fireworks celebration, please remember these important regulations.

More Info

Park Phones Not Working Information
The park phone system is currently under repair. Calls should be directed to 904-669-6838 until further notice.
Special Evening Event - Friday, December 2nd, 2016 Information
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument staff and volunteers, in partnership with the St. Augustine Garrison, will present living history tours that highlight the events of 1740. Visitors will experience the evening before the Fort Mose counterattack.

More Info

Park Phones Not Working Information
The park phone system is currently under repair. To contact the park by phone, please call 904-669-6838.

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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