The best camping near Castillo De San Marcos National Monument

Discover the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States in St. Augustine, Florida. The Castillo offers plenty to do year-round, thanks to Florida's warm climate, so you'll never have a dull moment. Period-dressed volunteers and Rangers hold cannon firings four times per day on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Make your way up to the gun deck to see the city to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. From this vantage point, you can see why the Spanish decided to build a fort here. The Castillo protected any ships going in and out of port, as well as a perfect defense for the city.

In its more than 300 years of history, this fort was never taken in battle. It's probably because the thick walls were fireproof and could handle cannon fire from ships entering the harbor. When the Spanish built the Castillo, they built it to last.

The Spanish controlled St. Augustine to lay claim to this part of the New World. This fort represented the crown's assertion that Florida belonged to Spain. It wasn't until 1821 that the territory became part of the United States. When the British controlled Florida in the late 1700s, held prisoners from the Revolutionary War here. Three signers of the Declaration of Independence spent time within the Castillo's thick stone walls.

St. Augustine is a beautiful city filled with history and a vibrant culture. The Castillo is just one stop of many to see in the oldest city in America. Plenty of campsites in the area offer year-round options for you and your family.