St. Augustine: Castillo de San Marcos

Your visit to the Castillo is designed to be a self-guided one. There are many ways to enjoy and experience the Park. You can:

Explore the fortress - by wandering through the fort's casements and taking in the exhibits you'll find there. Available brochures and maps will guide you around the site.

Immerse Yourself - Get a new perspective using the virtual tour. Using the virtual tour on your visit allows you to read the exhibits without standing in line, watch the ranger videos in the rooms they were filmed, and view the 3D models of the well, Hot Shot Furnace, and artillery. It will also provide you with virtual access to closed areas

Learn more - Watch videos on your device or in the fort's Theater Room. There are several short videos on the fort's long and fascinating history.

Become a Junior Ranger - Earn a badge by completing the Junior Ranger program. Download the materials in advance, ask staff for a book upon arrival, or become a Virtual Ranger.

Engage with Park Rangers - Rangers and volunteers are eager to answer your questions and provide interpretive opportunities throughout the day on the history and culture of the park. There are formal presentations where you can listen to a thematic program, that have a start/end time, and that usually last between 15-30 minutes long. There are ongoing informal stations where you can engage firsthand with cultural objects, ask your burning questions, and spend as little or as much time as you would like. Program topics, locations, and times vary on the season, weather, and visitation. Please ask the staff upon arrival or look for the sandwich board in the courtyard area for the upcoming opportunities.

Relax and ponder - as you take in the view of the city from the gundeck. The Fort's green offers a large recreation area perfect for a picnic or a shady nap.