Built by the Spanish in St. Augustine to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States and interprets more than 450 years of cultural intersections.
St. Augustine has a semi-tropical climate with over 300 days of sunshine each year.
Spring
(March-mid-May) and
Summer
(May-September) are hot, bright, and humid with afternoon thunderstorms common.
Fall
(October-late November) can be pleasant with temperatures ranging from the upper 50s into the 80s F.
Winter
months (December-March) are usually dry.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00
The Castillo de San Marcos is considered to be a "walk-in" park. The entrance fee applies to each individual. Tickets are not transferable and cannot be given to other guests. Adults (Age 16 and above) entrance is $15.00 and valid for 7 consecutive days. Children (age 15 and under) are admitted free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult.
Operating Hours
The Castillo de San Marcos is open to the public 7 days per week, except Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (December 25). A maximum capacity of 100 visitors in the historic fort at any time will be in effect. First admission is at 9:00 a.m. and last admission is at 5:00 p.m. The Castillo closes and visitors must exit at 5:15 p.m. The park grounds are closed from midnight until 5:30 a.m.
Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM
Entrance Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00
Pass covers entrance fees only at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Pass allows one passholder to print and sign their name and is valid for 12 months through the month of purchase. Pass covers the passholder and three additional adults (16 and over) when entering the Castillo.
Common questions
Planning Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts and Permits for live updates.
TrailVerse lists 4 reservation types on the Permits tab, including Castillo de San Marcos National Monument Tours and Academic Teacher-Guided Tour. Recreation.gov listings can change seasonally — confirm current rules before you set dates.