Fort Clinch State Park Trail

Fort Clinch State Park combines outstanding natural areas with one of America’s best-preserved 19th-century forts, creating a unique hiking destination on Florida’s northernmost Atlantic barrier island. The trail system winds through maritime hammock forests, along unspoiled beaches, and to scenic views of Cumberland Sound where shrimp boats pass en route to the sea. The fort itself, begun in 1847 and never completed, hosts living history programs where interpreters portray soldiers from the Civil War era. The park’s diverse habitats support abundant wildlife including shorebirds, sea turtles during nesting season, and the occasional right whale visible offshore during winter migration. This is Florida’s most atmospheric historical park, where nature and history intertwine beautifully.