San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park

The museum at the park displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort. Interpretive displays explain the history of the San Marcos site. An 18 minute video recounts the days of the Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces that once occupied this site. The video does a great job of tying all the periods of the Fort together. A self-guided interpretive trail is open to visitors and guided tours are available.

A picnic area is available featuring picnic tables and barbecue grills. Tucker’s Point offers a scenic view at the water’s edge where the St. Marks River joins the Wakulla River and flows out into Apalache Bay. The point is an excellent spot for fishing. Species commonly caught at this unique spot where fresh and salt water come together include redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead and even largemouth bass!

Experiences

Birding
Visitors are likely to spot seagulls, anhingas, cormorants, ospreys, pelicans, great blue herons and other types of shore and wading birds that are native to the area.

Fishing
Tucker’s Point offers a scenic view at the water’s edge where the St. Marks River joins the Wakulla River and flows out into Apalachee Bay. The point is an excellent spot for fishing. Species commonly caught at this unique spot where fresh and salt water come together include redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead and even Florida black bass.

All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.  A fishing license may be required.  More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Geo-Seeking
Explore the park in a new and challenging way. Experienced Geocachers have requested permission to hide caches containing trinkets, treasures, or information in various places around the park.  Please check the Geocaching website for the most current and up-to-date information and clues to locate these caches.

Operation Recreation GeoTour

Hiking
A self-guided interpretive trail will take you on a journey past the historic ruins throughout the park. This self-guided walking tour is about .33 miles in total length.

Picnicking
A picnic area is available featuring picnic tables and barbecue grills.

Tours
San Marcos de Apalache offers a Ranger guided interpretive tour with a two week notice. We can accommodate groups up to 50 people. If your group contains more than 50, or you cannot give us a two week notice, please call the office at (850) 925-6216. We do make every reasonable effort to accommodate all tour groups when the situation allows.

There is also a self guided grounds tour.  There are tour guides available in brochure boxes by the front entrance gate, inside the museum, near the cistern on the Wakulla river side of the museum.

Wildlife Viewing
Common wildlife seen at the park includes squirrels, turtles, manatees, otters, and sea turtles.

Amenities

Historic Site
The museum at San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park houses displays, programs and artifacts to allow visitors to experience the past. Established as a state park in 1964, this site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and is also a National Engineering Landmark and National Historic Landmark. The museum was built in the 1960s atop the foundation of the Pre-Civil War Marine Hospital, which was constructed from materials from the original Spanish fort.

Interpretive Exhibit
An 18 minute video recounts the days of the Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces that once occupied this site. A self-guided interpretive trail is open to visitors. Guided tours are available with two week’s notice.

Museum
The museum at the park displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort. Interpretive displays explain the history of the San Marcos site.