St. Augustine, FL

Description
The Castillo de San Marcos, built 1672-1695, served primarily as an outpost of the Spanish Empire, guarding St. Augustine, the first permanent European settlement in the continental United States, and also protecting the sea route for treasure ships returning to Spain.

Contact Information
Castillo de San Marcos NM
1 South Castillo Drive
St. Augustine, FL 32084

Headquarters Recorded Message
904-829-6506
Visitor Information
904-829-6506 ext 234
By Fax: 904-823-9388

Operating Hours:
The Castillo de San Marcos is open to the public from 8:45 AM to 4:45 PM every day of the year except December 25. The grounds are closed from midnight to 5:30 am.

Directions:
From I 95: Take the exit for St. Augustine Historic Sites and Downtown (Exit 95, Route 16). 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 A1A: The Castillo is located on A1A in downtown St. Augustine, just north of the Bridge of Lions.

ACTIVITIES
Exhibits-- There is no visitor center in the park, but museum exhibits are maintained within the rooms of the Castillo.
Ranger Programs-- Ranger Programs are offered year round, and the schedule is posted daily in the courtyard and at the entrance station. To find out what's happening each day, call 904-829-6506 ext. 234.

Park Movie-- A short video presentation on the story of the Castillo is presented on request in one of the casemates.

Living History-- Call the entrance station at 904-829-6506 ext. 234 for a current schedule. Re-enactors portraying Spanish soldiers are on duty most weekends and holidays. Weather permitting, there may be cannon and/or musket-firing demonstrations.

Junior Ranger-- Children age 6-12 are invited to participate in the park's Jr. Ranger program. Ask for the activity book at the Entrance Station.

FACILITIES
MUSEUMS

Castillo De San Marcos

Open
Open All Year 8:45 am to 5:15 pm (Last ticket issued at 4:45pm)

Phone
904-829-6506 ext. 234

Location
The museum is located within the rooms of the Castillo de San Marcos in downtown St. Augustine, Florida.

Closures
December 25

Exhibits
Each room or casemate focuses on a different theme or time period of the Castillo de San Marcos such as "The building of the Castillo", "Battles", "Artillery", and "Native Americans". Additionally, some rooms have been furnished to represent a Spanish barracks, British barracks, and storeroom. Various Spanish iron and bronze artillery pieces are exhibited on the gundeck or terreplein (roof).

Available Facilities
Restrooms are also located within the Castillo, and there is also a book sales area operated by Eastern National.

PERMITS
SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Filming Permit
For more information and to apply for a permit, call Visitor Use Specialist Thomas Sims (904) 829-6506 ext. 246 The permit information and application is also on-line at www.nps.gov/casa/home/permits/htm

Special Event Permit

Fees
$50.00 - Day
For more information and to apply for a permit, call Visitor Use Specialist Thomas Sims (904) 829-6506 ext. 246 The permit information and application is also on-line at www.nps.gov/casa/home/permits/htm

Special Events

Fees
$50.00

Wedding Permit

Fees
$50.00 - Day
For more information and to apply for a permit, call Visitor Use Specialist Thomas Sims (904) 829-6506 ext. 246 The permit information and application is also on-line at www.nps.gov/casa/home/permits/htm

WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Summers (May through September) can be very hot and bright with high humidity. Afternoon thundershowers are highly possible. We suggest you have some kind of sun protection, including sunscreen and UV protective sunglasses. Winters (December through March) can be cooler than one would expect, and sudden cold snaps should be taken into consideration. Spring (mid-march-mid-May) and fall (October-November) can be quite pleasant with temperatures in the 70s-80s.

nps.gov