Reclaiming Wonders

For families looking for a St. Augustine day trip, Fort Matanzas National Monument is an often-overlooked but very important historical site in Florida. Accessible only on a ranger-guided free Fort Matanzas ferry trip, this Spanish-built coquina fort near St. Augustine has stood as a silent guardian of the Matanzas Inlet since the 1700s. Don’t make your Florida family trip only about amusement parks; the historical places in Florida are some of the oldest buildings in the US!

Starting from the Fort Matanzas Visitor Center, you will get your Fort Matanzas tickets to ride the ferry over to Rattlesnake Island for your ranger-guided Fort Matanzas tour. Whether climbing up for the view from the lookout at Fort Matanzas, hiking the scenic Fort Matanzas nature trails on the mainland, or simply soaking in the views across the water, add some Fort Matanzas history to your Florida road trip and explore Florida’s oldest history.

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What is at Fort Matanzas?

Today, Fort Matanzas stands as a protected national monument, offering visitors a glimpse into Florida’s colonial history. While the Castillo de San Marcos is the St. Augustine fort that most visitors see, this important Florida history site is only fifteen minutes south and perfect St. Augustine day trip to get away from the more crowded St. Augustine.

Fort Matanzas Visitor Center

A visit to the fort begins at the small Fort Matanzas Visitor Center where you will learn about the history of the site through plaques, and you can pick up maps of the site. This is a very small visitor center, and the place to get the ferry tickets. The ferry leaves from behind the visitor center, so you can read through the information while waiting for your trip.

Fort Matanzas Ferry

For the kids, the highlight of the Fort Matanzas visit is the free boat ride across the Matanzas River which departs from the visitor center and takes you on a scenic journey to the fort. As there are only a limited number of tickets available for each hourly time slot, make sure you arrive at least thirty minutes early.

The Fort Mantanzas ferry schedule is posted on their website; make note that the ferry doesn’t operate on Tuesdays. The five minute boat ride starts with getting Fort Matanzas tickets at the Visitor Center. Of note, the ferry won’t operate in thunderstorms.

Important: As you must have Fort Matanzas ferry tickets to ride over to the fort, make sure this is your first stop when visiting. During busy summer travel months, you may even have to get your ticket and come back later as the ferry only holds approximately 30 people.

Fort Matanzas Nature Trail

The Fort Matanzas overlook trail starts at the restroom and heads off into the maritime forest. This boardwalk will take you out to the Matanzas River and includes some informative plaques along the way. This one mile shaded trail is smooth enough for a wheelchair or stroller.

Visiting Fort Matanzas

Made of coquina, the same durable stone used in the construction of Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas is an excellent example of Spanish military architecture. The fort was designed to be a small, self-sufficient outpost with a unique star-shaped design, featuring a central tower with walls that provided panoramic views of the river and the surrounding areas.

The fort’s elevated vantage point offers breathtaking views of the river and surrounding landscape, enhancing the immersive experience. Once you arrive at the fort, you can explore its interior, where exhibits and knowledgeable rangers provide insight into the fort’s history, architecture, and the daily lives of those who once guarded its walls. There is an outlook on the top of the fort, but it is only accessible through a tiny staircase. It’s a good view, but you won’t have much time to do it.

~~~> If you’re looking for a peaceful Florida stay near Fort Matanzas, check out Crescent Fish Camp. Located only an hour south of Fort Matanzas, this waterfront camp has tiny cabins, a rental house, and RV spots waiting for your Florida getaway. Read all about it here: Crescent Fish Camp – Relax at the Best of Florida.

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What is Fort Matanzas?

The Castillo de San Marcos was built in to protect the Spanish settlement at St. Augustine, the oldest in the US. To offer further protection from the south and west, Fort Matanzas was built to prevent boats could come up the river at the Matanzas Inlet toward St. Augustine. Nestled along the scenic shores of the Matanzas River, Fort Matanzas National Monument is a must-visit historic site in St. Augustine, Florida.

Its presence illustrates the importance of Florida’s waterways for trade, defense, and territorial control during this era. With the Spanish flag flying from the upper lookout, Fort Matanzas was an important symbol of Spanish power in the region. Though often overshadowed by the larger Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas holds its own as a significant piece of Florida’s colonial past.

What is Fort Matanzas History?

Fort Matanzas was built by the Spanish in 1742 to guard the southern approach to St. Augustine. Its construction was a direct response to British threats during a time of colonial rivalry. Its name, meaning “slaughters” in Spanish, references a bloody 1565 event when Spanish forces, led by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, executed a group of French Huguenots who had shipwrecked nearby. Though Fort Matanzas never saw direct combat, it stood as a deterrent to British advances and remained an essential military outpost until Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821. 

~~~> If you love history and you love forts, add Savannah’s Fort Pulaski to your list! It’s a different war and a different time period; it’s an impressive Civil War fort! Read “Explore Fort Pulaski” here.

If you’re unable to visit Fort Matanzas at this time, check out this virtual Matanzas tour on the National Park website.

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Fort Matanzas FAQs and Tips

Where is Fort Matanzas Located?

If you’re driving down the famous A1A highway down Florida’s east coast or traveling by boat along Florida’s Intercoastal Waterway, you will go right past the entrance to Fort Matanzas. St. Augustine is the closest city to Fort Matanzas which makes the twenty minute drive perfect for a St. Augustine day trip. The Fort Matanzas Visitor Center is on the mainland, but the actual fort is across the Matanzas River on Rattlesnake Island.

How Do I Get Fort Matanzas Tickets?

The only way to get your Matanzas boarding pass is first-come first-served at the visitor center. Everyone in your family – even the baby – will need a ticket. Don’t plan to show up after lunch and get a ferry ticket during busy travel days or weekends. It’s possible you will need to get your ticket for later in the day and return back to St. Augustine to explore until it’s your turn to board the ferry.

How much does it cost to go to Fort Matanzas?

The Fort Matanzas cost is nothing! There is no fee to enter the park or to get a ticket to ride the Fort Matanzas ferry.

Can I bring my RV to Fort Matanzas?

The Fort Matanzas parking lot is small. There is no room for busses or RV parking. Additionally, this is only a day trip site without overnight camping options.

Can I bring my dog to the fort?

While your pets are welcome on the Matanzas nature trail or on the beach, they are not allowed on the ferry, in the visitor center, or at the fort.

What should I bring to visit Fort Matanzas?

Don’t overthink packing for your visit to Fort Matanzas as you will only be at the fort for less than an hour. Although the short ferry ride is covered, you will be outside during your fort visit. Bring your sun hat, some sunscreen, bug spray, and a bottle of water. Leave the rest at home.

My family attempted to not put on mosquito spray before we walked on the nature trail, but quickly regretted it. Don’t forget to put on your spray!

Is the fort a good place for kids?

Yes, Fort Matanzas is good for your whole family. Now, it is super exciting for kids? Probably not. However, they will get to go on a boat ride, see the water, climb a steep fort ladder, and pretend to shoot a cannon. They will have to listen to the ranger talk for about ten minutes at the fort, but otherwise they can be in full-kid mode.

Is there a public restroom at the fort?

While there are not facilities on the actual island, there is a large restroom and water filling station right at the entrance to the nature trail. Make sure you take advantage of this before getting on the ferry. If this is a quick stop on your Florida road trip, this is an easy restroom break as you don’t have to even enter the visitor center to go.

How long to spend at Fort Matanzas?

You don’t need more than two hours to visit Fort Matanzas. The nature trail will last maximum of ten minutes, and there isn’t much to read at the visitor center. However, once you get on the ferry, you will be on the island until the end of the tour which lasts less than an hour.

Is Fort Matanzas a good rest stop?

Without seeing the fort or even entering the visitor center, you can enjoy Fort Matanzas. Take a quick nature hike and see the water. Fill up your water bottles and use the restroom. You can even eat your snack or lunch as there are picnic tables under the shade or beautiful live oaks and their hanging Spanish moss.

~~~> If you’re headed down A1A toward the Florida Keys, read these: Everything You Need to Know Before a Key West Trip and How to Plan an Epic Everglades Trip.

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Fort Matanzas Junior Ranger

When you get your tickets for the Fort Matanzas ferry, make sure you ask about the Junior Ranger packet. While most of my kids have “out-grown” the packets, the youngest still enjoys getting it. With puzzles and questions to answer, you do have to go to the fort to complete the packet. When returning, you get your badge in the ranger room at the visitor center.

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What Places Should I Add to this Florida Road Trip?

If northeast Florida is just one stop as you drive through Florida, check out these other amazing places! The best Florida road trips aren’t just an Orlando trip to see the mouse. Plan a Florida vacation full of natural Florida beauty.

• “St. Augustine, Florida: Best Free Attractions for Families” – Don’t let the many, many St. Augustine attractions be overwhelming as you plan your Florida travels. Here’s a list of more than 20 free things to do in St. Augustine that your kids will enjoy. It’s a good half-day walk to explore Florida’s oldest city.
• “Explore Florida Springs with a Crystal River Kayak Trip” – A perfect way to break up the busy of Orlando with a Florida nature adventure. 
• “St. Pete: Make Sure to Visit These 4 Fabulous Museums” – Head west for a weekend exploring the very walkable downtown of St. Petersburg, Florida. It’s full of beautiful places and set right on the ocean.
• “Discovery Cove 101: How to Plan This Epic SeaWorld Adventure” – If you’re looking for the tropical all-inclusive attraction in Orlando, Florida.
• “The Everglades: How to Plan an Epic Florida Trip” – Keep going to the very southern tip of Florida to see a different side of native Florida.
• “Key West Warnings: Everything to Know Before You Go” – Don’t stop at the Everglades. Key West doesn’t compare to any other Florida destinations.
• “Crescent Fish Camp: Relax at the Best of Florida” – Follow along the east coast of Florida for the ultimate relaxing getaway at this fish campground complete with a rental house, RV sites, and tiny homes located right on the water of St. Mary’s.

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