Fort George Island Cultural State Park

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Fort George Island Cultural State Park
IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
Location Duval County, Florida, USA
Nearest city Jacksonville, Florida
Coordinates 30°25′34″N 81°25′55″W / 30.42611°N 81.43194°W / 30.42611; -81.43194Coordinates: 30°25′34″N 81°25′55″W / 30.42611°N 81.43194°W / 30.42611; -81.43194
Governing body Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Fort George Island State Cultural Site is a Florida State Park located on Fort George Island, about three miles south of Little Talbot Island State Park on SR A1A, and near the 46,000 acre Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, in Jacksonville, Florida. It is the highest point along the Atlantic coast south of Sandy Hook, New Jersey and contains Timucua oyster shell mounds. The park is part of the Talbot Islands GEOpark complex.

This park contains several distinct periods in human history. The Timucuan influence is noted by the presence of middens, large mounds that are compiled of massive middens or shell mounds filled with discarded food byproducts. On Fort George Island, the shells were primarily oysters.

Also present are the remains of a Spanish mission named San Juan del Puerto. Under British rule in 1765, a plantation was established that cycled through several owners while Florida was transferred back to Spain and then the United States.

Activities include off road bicycling, hiking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Amenities include a 4.4 mile long loop bicycle trail, boat ramp, a three-mile hiking/biking trail, and a beach. The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown year round.

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