Pat’s Wildways: Short Fort Clinch Walks

Now is the time to get out in our natural areas and take a walk. In days past, I used to lead five-mile hikes for newcomers and friends, but those days are gone. Five miles is a bit too much for me, maybe three miles too much. But where we live, that is not a problem. I have discovered many versions of these walks that are only a mile or two long, but full of the scenery and wildlife I love.

Fort Clinch State Park holds a treasure of short walks if you know how to create them. The trails around the Willow Pond borrow ponds are well-marked loops that begin and end in a designated parking area along the main road of the park. But there are others too, if you know how to navigate them. These short walks take advantage of the fact that, for most of the way along the main park road, there is a biking/hiking trail on both sides. And the beach offers additional ways to enjoy a walk in the park. Here are three short walks you might enjoy all about 45 minutes long at my pace.

Mosquito Ditch Loop

To start this walk, park in one of the handful of spaces at the mosquito ditch on the left side of the main road as you enter the park. First, stop to take in the view over the marsh to the river at the small pond and you might even see an alligator. Then head north on the trail from the parking area, taking in more sights of the marsh while you step over gnarled logs and other obstacles that make this an exciting trail for bikers, but passable on foot for most of us, too. Keep walking until you get to a sign that warns you about cars on the dirt road that leads to the youth camp area. Turn right on that road, cross the main road and head up the paved road that leads to the beach. Soon you will see an opening to the bike road along the other side of the main road. Follow this path south with views of a water-filled trench and large trees until you get to the main road again and spot your car.

Nature Trail Loop

This walk begins at the parking area for the West Inlet on the west side of the fort itself. Head to the beach, relax on a bench there, take a gander at the fort and then walk to the water and turn left. Although best at low tide, this hike is still possible whenever you get there. Along the beach, it’s always fun to look for fossilized shark teeth as you pass the large rocks protecting it. Keep an eye out for red-hulled vessels that signal a submarine will soon be passing by if you are lucky. When you get to the parking area behind the River Campground, look for the sign for the Nature Trail and head back to your car along a narrow trail behind some large vegetated dunes that are protected by a fence. And soon enough, too soon if you are having fun, you will return to your car in the parking lot.

Beach Campground Loop

A third short hike I recommend begins at the beach parking lot. You can start this loop at either boardwalk out to the beach, although the boardwalk to the left of the bird pavilion is the shortest hike. Head down a boardwalk to the beach. If you take the boardwalk to the right, you might see groups of gulls and skimmers hunkering down behind the jetties to stay out of the wind. The boardwalk to the right bypasses this area of beach. No matter where you start, head west, with the ocean at your right, and follow the shoreline. You will have to stay alert to find the place to exit the beach to the Beach Campground, a well-traveled path only visible when you are higher up on the beach, away from the water. This path leads you to the Beach Campground, where you can follow the paved road through the coastal strand vegetation, looking for gopher tortoises, thistles, prickly pear cactus and other sights along the way. Walk past the administration office road, to the main road to the beach and it will lead you back to your car.

Whichever path you choose, you will see different habitats and maybe even deer, tortoises, birds, or who knows what else, always a surprise. And now that you know how to navigate between the beach, bike trails and various parking lots a whole new set of hikes are possible. 

Go out and explore! Have fun!

Pat Foster-Turley, Ph.D., is a zoologist on Amelia Island. She welcomes your nature questions and observations. patandbucko@yahoo.com