We visited Castillo de San Marcos during the Nights of Lights festival, the day after Fort Matanzas and Washington Oaks Gardens, and spent about 2 hours here. We toured the fort, watched them fire the cannon, and ate Publix subs on the seawall for lunch. This guide covers what it costs, when the cannon demonstrations happen, and how to fit the Castillo into a St. Augustine day.
Is Castillo de San Marcos National Monument Worth Visiting?
Yes! It’s the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, and it’s the best-preserved piece of Spanish St. Augustine. We spent around 2 hours here, and the timing worked out because they fired the cannon while we were here. This site is especially great for kids, and it is common for school trips.
Who should skip it: You should skip entering this site if you can’t do stairs and want to go to the top of the fort, or if you only want a quick picture.
Quick Facts
Location: 1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Best For: Families, Kids, Parksmaxxers, Floridians, History Buffs, St. Augustine visitors, fort enjoyers
Don’t Miss: The cannon demonstration
Best Time to Visit: Winter for the best weather, 9 a.m. for smaller crowds
Hours: First admission 9:00 a.m., last admission 5:00 p.m., and you must exit by 5:15 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Admission: $15 for adults 16 and up, valid 7 consecutive days. Children under 16 are free with an adult
Official Website: https://www.nps.gov/casa/
Overview and History Of Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Spain began building the Castillo on October 2, 1672 and finished it in 1695. It’s built of coquina, a shellstone quarried on Anastasia Island across the bay. The soft coquina absorbed cannonballs instead of shattering on impact. The fort has four corner bastions (San Pedro, San Agustín, San Carlos, and San Pablo) and walls up to 33 feet high.
English forces besieged it in 1702 and again in 1740, and it was never taken by force. Ownership passed from Spain to Britain in 1763, back to Spain in 1783, and to the United States in 1821, when it was renamed Fort Marion. In 1837 the fort held Seminole prisoners, including Osceola, and 20 escaped that November. It became a national monument in 1924 and got its Spanish name back in 1942.
Best Things to Do at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
The best things to do at this park are to browse the exhibits, climb to the gun deck, watch a cannon demonstration, and picnic at the grounds.
Walk the rooms and exhibits
The lower level has the fort rooms, a theater, a bookstore, and restrooms, and it’s wheelchair accessible. Walk through the casemates (the arched stone rooms) and read the exhibits. NPS provides a brochure and map, plus a free mobile app for iOS and Android.
Climb to the gun deck
The gun deck gives you views of the bay and the city. It’s reachable only by stairs. Walkways in the moat and covered way are sand and crushed shell, so watch your step.
Watch a cannon or musket demonstration
Volunteers fire a replica 6-pounder cannon or flintlock muskets. Demonstrations usually happen on the gun deck, but you can also watch from outside the fort along the seawall via a ramp. The cannons are real and loud, so cover your ears. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes early gets you a better spot.
Use the grounds
The park has open green space that is suitable for picnics. Leashed dogs can walk the grounds outside but are not allowed in the fort (except for service animals).
Is Castillo de San Marcos Good for Hiking?
This is not a hiking destination, as it is a historic fort right on the bay in downtown St. Augustine. Hike instead at nearby Anastasia State Park.
Our Experience at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
As with most native Floridians, I completed a 4th grade field trip to the Castillo de San Marcos and downtown St. Augustine. I remember climbing the stairs and watching them shoot the cannon with awe.
My wife and I visited St. Augustine in December, and we came to the Castillo the day after Fort Matanzas National Monument and Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Fort Matanzas guarded the backdoor to St. Augustine, and the Castillo is the main fort, so the scale difference is immediate. Think of Fort Matanzas as the little brother to the Castillo.
We parked in the garage across the street and headed over. Before going in, we had a cheap lunch with a good view (Publix subs along the seawall), along with many other picnickers. We were surprised to see a survey marker for elevation, like we normally find marking mountain tops.
We showed our America the Beautiful park pass and were granted entry. The fort was crowded during our visit, but not too crowded to enjoy it. We watched the park film and enjoyed reading more about the history, and learned that Chief Osceola was imprisoned here.
As we explored, a man dressed as a Spanish soldier let us know that they were about to shoot the cannon, so we rushed to the gun deck and watched. They prepared and shot the cannon (with no cannon ball, since that would hurt the boats in the bay). This was one of the highlights of the trip.
We finished seeing the fort then walked the perimeter to see how the design prevented attackers.
Last, we drove over to Anastasia State Park to see the quarry where the coquina was mined. This helped our understanding of how the fort was built, and it’s covered in our Anastasia State Park guide.
Don’t Make Our Mistake
If you don’t arrive first thing on weekends, the parking lot outside the fort may very well be full. We had to walk over from the lot across the street, which was further than we expected.
Know Before You Go
The seawall is currently under construction, which will continue through 2028. The fort remains open, but some sections of the grounds are closed for safety.
The cannon demonstrations aren’t daily. NPS uses cannons or muskets depending on volunteer and staff availability, and its summer 2026 list had only a handful of dates. Check the NPS calendar or call 904-829-6506.
The fort closes at 5:15 pm. Plan on seeing the fort during the day.
Bring a card, as the site does not accept cash.
How To Visit in 2 Hours
2 hours is enough to fully take in the fort, and you can get away with one if you are short on time.
- Picnic lunch on the grounds (or downtown)
- Explore the rooms and exhibits
- Go up the stairs to the gun deck, see the cannons, and watch a demonstration
- Walk the grounds around the fort
If You Only Do One Thing
Time your visit for a cannon demonstration and watch it from the gun deck.
If they are not firing the cannon at the time of your visit, spend an hour perusing the fort and main exhibits.
Full-Day Itinerary
Do the Castillo in the morning, have lunch, then drive across the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia State Park for the Spanish coquina quarry and swimming. Have dinner downtown.
Where to Eat Near Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
My top pick is Llama Restaurant, but it’s a splurge and you’ll want a reservation. Peruvian with a modern twist at 415 Anastasia Blvd. Dinner is served Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 5:00 to 8:00 or 8:30, and Friday and Saturday until 8:45. It’s closed Tuesday and Sunday.
St. Augustine Fish Camp. Seafood with outdoor waterfront seating. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday (10 p.m. Friday and Saturday) and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.
Cheap lunch. Publix subs on the seawall worked for us. Near the fort, Starbucks, Nekter Juice Bar, and Kilwin’s are within a tenth of a mile.
Where to Stay Near Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Stay at one of the chain hotels in downtown St. Augustine.
Tips For Visiting Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
The front lot runs 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is free from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. The garage at 1 Cordova Street is $20 per day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The city runs a live parking-availability app at modii.app/st-augustine.
When to Visit Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Visitation is normally lowest from mid-September through mid-November and highest during Christmas to New Year’s, school breaks, and weekends. Go at 9 a.m. for the smallest crowd. Summers are hot with afternoon thunderstorms. Fall and spring are the comfortable, with my personal favorite time to visit in the winter.
What To Bring to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Bring a credit or debit card, sun protection, a hat, and comfortable shoes.
Fees & Reservations
No reservation is needed, pay $15/adult 16 and up at the entrance.
The America the Beautiful Park Pass is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Castillo de San Marcos cost?
$15 for adults 16 and up, valid for 7 days. Children under 16 are free.
What time does the Castillo open and close?
First admission is 9:00 a.m. and last admission is 5:00 p.m. You must exit by 5:15 p.m. It’s closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
How long does it take?
NPS says 1 to 2 hours. Plan 2 with a demonstration.
When do they fire the cannon?
At 10:30, 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 on select days. Visit St. Augustine says “most Saturdays and Sundays,” but NPS’s own list shows specific dates only. Check the NPS calendar or call first.
Is the Castillo under construction?
Yes. Seawall work started in summer 2026 and is expected to take about 18 months. The fort stays open, but some grounds are closed.
Can I go at night during Nights of Lights?
The fort closes at 5:15 p.m. The grounds stay open until midnight, but the lights are downtown.
Can I bring my dog to Castillo de San Marcos?
Dogs can walk the grounds but can’t enter the fort. Leashed service animals are allowed inside.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The parking lot and lower level (rooms, theater, bookstore, restrooms) are. The gun deck is stairs only. NPS offers a virtual tour and rents wheelchairs through the city visitor center at 904-825-1000.
Is the quarry free?
Yes. The Old Spanish Quarry at Anastasia State Park is just inside the front gate on the right, before the entrance station, with its own free parking. Park admission is $8 per vehicle if you go further.
Castillo or Fort Matanzas?
They’re very different experiences. Castillo de San Marcos is the large main fort in downtown St. Augustine, while Fort Matanzas is a much smaller watchtower reached by a free NPS ferry. If you have time, visiting both helps explain how the two forts worked together to protect St. Augustine.
Is Castillo de San Marcos good for kids?
Yes. The fort’s rooms, gun deck, cannons, and military history make it particularly engaging for children who enjoy history or forts. Keep children close around stairs and during loud cannon demonstrations.
Can you see the cannon demonstration every day?
No. Demonstrations occur on selected dates rather than every day. Check the current NPS schedule before planning your visit around one.
How early should I arrive at Castillo de San Marcos?
Arrive early if you’re visiting on a weekend or during a busy period, particularly if you want nearby parking or a good position for a cannon demonstration.
Conclusion
Castillo de San Marcos is an easy 1–2 hour addition to a St. Augustine trip. We spent about two hours exploring the fort and were lucky enough to catch a cannon demonstration. Check the demonstration schedule and parking situation before you go, and consider pairing the Castillo with Fort Matanzas or Anastasia State Park for a fuller day.
Other Sights Near Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- Anastasia State Park (300 Anastasia Park Road): The Spanish Coquina Quarries supplied the stone for the Castillo. The park has 1,600-plus acres and 4 miles of beach. Hours are 8 a.m. to sundown, and admission is $8 per vehicle.
- Fort Matanzas National Monument: About 15 miles south of downtown. Free ferry to a small coquina watchtower.
- Washington Oaks Gardens State Park: South of Fort Matanzas. Formal gardens and wild trails.
- Plaza de la Constitución and the Bridge of Lions: Central spots for Nights of Lights.
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