Fort Frederica National Monument

06/11/2026

The sound of a hungry baby.

06/11/2026

Some things old and some things new at Fort Frederica National Monument.

You can always find the perfect blend of old and new on your visit. Whether it's a centuries-old muscadine grapevine entangled in an equally ancient live oak tree, the rebirth of the resurrection fern after the rain, or the insistent cries of the pileated woodpecker chicks for food, they are all waiting for you here!

Photo credit: KMcLeod, KKarrar

05/31/2026

The Cooper’s Hawk (Astur cooperii) can be found year-round in most parts of the continental United States and is a frequent visitor to the Castillo de San Marcos! This bird of prey was likely looking for small critters scurrying around the moat in the early morning.

Image: Cooper’s Hawk peeking over the fort’s wall.

05/31/2026

On May 31, 1889, one of the deadliest disasters in U.S. history struck when the South Fork Dam failed above Johnstown, Pennsylvania, unleashing more than 4.8 billion gallons of water. The raging flood swept through the valley, destroying homes and communities and claiming more than 2,200 lives.

After days of relentless rainfall, the dam gave way, triggering widespread devastation across the region. In the aftermath, Clara Barton and volunteers with the American Red Cross led one of the nation’s first large-scale disaster relief efforts, providing critical aid to survivors.

Today, Johnstown Flood National Memorial preserves the remains of the dam and tells the story of the flood, its victims, and the recovery efforts that followed. Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/jofl

Image: A tree lodged in the Schultz house in the aftermath of the Johnstown Flood of 1889

05/31/2026

🍄✨ Cave surprise! ✨🍄

At first glance, caves may appear inhospitable to life, but look closer and you can find it thriving. This mushroom, of the genus Mycena, found a perfect home in the cool, humid, dim light of the cave. Most Mycena are saprotrophic, meaning they feed on dead matter or waste. In addition to a comfortable habitat, this individual also found a nutritious meal in the dead tree root it’s growing out of!

This delicate flush of fungi appears only briefly each year on the same piece of decomposing wood deep within Oregon Caves — a tiny seasonal reminder that even in the darkest places, ecosystems are hard at work. 👀🌿

Next time you visit the cave, remember: there’s a whole hidden world growing in the shadows.

Photo credit: NPS/ Sarah M

05/30/2026

Thermal features are so hot right now.

Well, most of the time. Yellowstone National Park preserves the most extraordinary collection of hot springs, geysers, mudpots, and fumaroles on Earth. More than 10,000 hydrothermal features are found here, of which more than 500 are geysers.

Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Do not touch thermal features or runoff. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.

Learn more tips on how to adventure through Yellowstone safely at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/safety.htm

05/30/2026

As you wander the grounds, you will see a new area along Broad Street that has been marked off by stakes and flagging tape. It’s for a dig – not for archeology but by a diamondback terrapin. She decided that this was the perfect spot to lay her eggs.

Terrapins are the only turtle found in the salt marsh. Their beautiful shell and skin markings give them their name. The females grow to 9” while males are about 6’’. Food includes snails, crabs, insects, worms and small fish.

They typically lay 8-12 eggs that will incubate for about 60 days. Hatchlings may emerge this season or hang out in the nest overwinter. We’ll keep you posted as the time gets closer for hatching to see if this nest is a successful one. In the meantime, give the forming babies a little space.

05/30/2026

05/29/2026

While anytime of the year and the day is a good time to visit us, the early morning in May is particularly attractive. The peaceful serenity of the park transports you back 300 years and the live oaks, resplendent in Spanish moss, whisper to each other tales of eons long past. If you listen closely you might just hear echoes of “Huzzah!” carried on the wind.

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Summer is here at Fort Frederica National Monument. It's a perfect time to wander under those shady live oaks as you tour the town and Fort. But you will be in the sun sometime. Before you head out, do your future self a favor: put on sunscreen (and reapply) so you can remember the day for the views, not the sunburn.

Here’s your sun‑smart checklist for a great visit:
• Hydrate often and take breaks in the shade.
• Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours (or after swimming/sweating).
• Cover up with hats and lightweight layers when the sun is strongest.
• Aim for adventures early or later in the day when UV is lower.

We want your memories to be golden, not your shoulders. 😎☀️
Enjoy the sunshine, stay sun‑smart, and have a wonderful Sunscreen Day!

05/27/2026

“You must choose, but choose wisely…” -Grail Knight

Nobody wants slippy-sloppy. Or was it sloppy-slippy? Either way, taking the wrong footwear on the trail can quickly turn a fun hike into a painful one. Before heading out, research the route and terrain so you can choose the right gear for your adventure. Heels, open-toed shoes, and flip-flops are not ideal for hiking trails. For dirt or gravel trails, opt for sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes with good traction and ankle support. For paved or urban pathways, comfortable sneakers or tennis shoes are usually a better fit. Your feet will thank you later.

Now, to be fair, it's ! Flip-flops are great for beach parks, the pool, short walks, getting lost in the parking lot, or just embracing vacation mode. But rocky trails, waterfalls, uneven terrain, being chased by a herd of bison, mud, and steep inclines? That’s where things can get a little…well, slippy. Also sloppy.

Make good choices.

Image: A screenshot of a post from the National Park Service account on X that reads: “Always hike with proper supplies and equipment. Remember, flippy floppies may lead to slippy sloppies.”

05/26/2026

The mondayest Tuesday ever…

Dreading what feels like it could be a bear of a week? Feeling like you’re constantly playing catch-up? Bearly moving? Don’t worry…ease back into work instead of trying to tackle everything all at once. Start by tidying your workspace (or find your space if you’ve forgotten), reminding yourself what it is you do there, and planning your first break of the day. Sometimes the best way to get back into work mode is to give your brain a chance to catch up too.

Did somebody say break? It never hurts to take a much-needed “paws.” Regular breaks can help you recharge, refocus, and keep the day from turning completely grizzly. Step away for a few minutes to stretch, take a walk, catch something for lunch, or scroll through the park socials. This is your time.

Image: A bear cub takes a nap in a cottonwood trees Big Bend National Park. NPS/CA Hoyt

05/25/2026

Honoring all the members of our armed forces who gave what President Abraham Lincoln called "the last full measure of devotion," Memorial Day is one of the most important and solemn days on the National Mall. Across 250 years of American history, starting with those who fell while fighting alongside General George Washington in the Revolutionary War to recent conflicts, we will never forget our heroes. The military memorials on the National Mall are stunning tributes to hundreds of thousands of people who laid down their lives for freedom. Today we lay wreaths at these special places, but every day, walking past stone walls and metal statues, we recognize the loved and lost and offer the thanks of a grateful nation.

Photo by National Park Service.

05/10/2026

Happy Mother's Day!



Photo credit: K Karrar

05/09/2026

Come one, come all to Fort Frederica's Archaeology Day on Saturday, May 16th from 10 AM- 3PM!

Learn all about the science of archaeology through crafts, demonstrations, and exhibitors at a family-friendly event, right here at Fort Frederica National Monument. There is no cost to attend this event.



NPS Photo

05/07/2026

People aren’t the only ones flocking to the monument this month — bird migration has officially begun, and the whole site is atwitter with color, song, and flashes of feathers. Painted Buntings, Bluebirds, Great Crested Flycatchers, and warblers of all kinds have been stealing the show lately!

This Saturday is International Migratory Bird Day! As you stroll through the fort, take a few moments to look and listen for our winged visitors. You never know what bright or boisterous species you might spot among the oaks and marshes.

What birds have you seen at Fort Frederica recently? Drop your bird sightings below!

04/09/2026

Join us on Jenkin's Ear Day, as we reflect on a pivotal moment in colonial history. When Captain Robert Jenkin’s ear was forcibly removed by a Spanish coast captain during a search of his vessel for smuggled goods on April 9, 1731. His ear was later presented in a jar of rum to British parliament in 1738, becoming a symbol of rising tension between Spanish and British over trade disputes and colonial ambitions. This encounter eventually led to the War of Jenkin’s Ear lasting from 1739 to 1748.

The visitor center is open 9am-5pm Wednesday - Friday. Learn more about this battle and others as you tour the visitor center and town.