Camping at the Historic Fort Clinch State Park, Florida

Camping at the historic Fort Clinch State Park in Florida is a window to the past. It’s taking a moment to reflect on the past, but also to explore. The fort is a wonderful place to wander, as are the beaches. Explore the wonders of camping at this picturesque state park nestled on the northeastern coast of Florida. From its rich history as a Civil War fort to its abundant wildlife and stunning beaches, discover why Fort Clinch should be your next camping destination.

A Brief History of Fort Clinch

Construction of the fort began in 1847 in a strategic location with views of Amelia River and the Atlantic Ocean. It was named after General Duncan Lamont Clinch, a prominent war figure in the War of 1812 and both Seminole Wars. The fort was not completed when the Civil War broke out, but construction continued when Union soldiers took possession of it in 1862 after the Confederacy abandoned it. The fort would again be abandoned after the Civil War, with a caretaker living in residence. It would be used again briefly during the Spanish-American War until it was abandoned yet again. The state of Florida took over Fort Clinch and made it one of the first state parks in 1935 with the help of the CCC. The fort was again activated in World War II. After the war, total control was given back to the state of Florida.

Take time to explore the tunnels, walk up winding staircases, and visit with the reenactors who are a wealth of knowledge about Fort Clinch.

Beaches

We love going to the beach, if Florida weather permits, late in the afternoon. The crowds have thinned out a bit, leaving amazing views and waves to watch. We loved walking on the beach at Fort Clinch, searching for shark teeth and shells.

Our old beach shelter gave out on a previous beach excursion, so we had to purchase a new one for this camping trip. After reading countless reviews, we settled on the Sun Ninja Beach Canopy. It was simple to set up, required a lot of sand to fill the anchor pockets, but surprisingly, it worked. It held up to the ocean breeze and kept us shaded all afternoon.

Don’t forget to visit Amelia Island State Park on the other end of the island. The white powdered sand is amazing, but don’t try to drive in it unless you have a 4 X 4 vehicle. My husband helped someone out who thought they could make it to the beach, but they didn’t get far. The entrance is not always manned by a ranger, so have cash for the entrance fee. If you want a stamp for your state park passport, you can get it along with the Fort Clinch one at the fort gift shop.

Campsites

Our campsite was in the Amelia River Campground, number 52. Water hook-up, and electricity are provided as well as a picnic table, and a fire pit. There is a bathhouse centrally located at the campground. A dump station is also located close to the entrance of the campground. Renovations are currently being made for a new dump station, so beware of construction.

We didn’t get a chance to view the Atlantic Beach Campground, but I’m sure it was as well taken care of as the river campground. Also, closer to the beach, which is why it is hard to get a reservation on that side.

There are several biking and hiking trails throughout the park. We didn’t do any biking or hiking; it was hot, we are lazy, but many people were on their bikes.

Also, be aware that Florida storms are crazy. We had a lightning storm that honestly terrified me. It sounded like it was hitting right outside our camper. Just remember to pull the camper awning in when a storm is approaching, and that your campsite could flood, but it drains quickly.

More Information

Visit Fort Clinch State Park for more information or to make a camping reservation. Reserve early, as this is a popular park for camping; spots fill up quickly. Visit Fernandina Beach for visitor information and Amelia Island for information on the historic downtown area. Don’t forget to get a picture of the lighthouse. You can see it from Fort Clinch State Park, but it is amazing up close. Get out there and explore, and Happy Camping!

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