St. Augustine - Fort Matanzas

Fort Matanzas National Monument preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protects approximately 300 acres of Florida coastal environment containing dunes, marsh, maritime forest, and associated flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species.

There are a lot of things for kids to do at Fort Matanzas National Monument. From the main Visitor Center entrance, you can take the ferry boat to Rattlesnake Island and explore the old Spanish fort. There is also a half-mile boardwalk nature trail through the woods, and a picnic area set among the old, spreading live oak trees. Children also enjoy walking along the river shore and watching the wading birds and crabs. There are also other entrances and parking lots to enter the beach areas along the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean.

You can complete the Fort Matanzas Junior Ranger activity booklet and earn a physical badge and patch.

Fourth graders and their families will be able to gain free admission, good for a year, to fee-collecting parks, public lands, and waters.