State Historic Site · Florida

Fort Mose Historic State Park

Location: St. Johns County, Florida
Nearest town: 1.6 miles southwest of Villano Beach
Type: State Historic Site

About Fort Mose Historic State Park

A former Spanish fort site preserves the ground where free black settlers built the first legally sanctioned free African community in what became the United States, founded in 1738 under Governor Manuel de Montiano. The original fort was abandoned after the Battle of Bloody Mose in 1740, then rebuilt nearby and occupied again by free Africans from 1752 to 1763. The site was named a US National Historic Landmark in October 1994.

Hours, fees, camping, reservations and closures are set by the park and change often. Check the official park site before you go.

Getting there

Fort Mose Historic State Park is in St. Johns County, Florida, 1.6 miles southwest of Villano Beach. The Directions button takes you to the park's mapped location; the entrance may be elsewhere, so check the official site for the address to use.

State parks near Fort Mose Historic State Park

Within 60 miles, closest first, straight-line. All 147 in Florida →

Towns near Fort Mose Historic State Park

State parks near Saint Augustine, State parks near St. Johns, State parks near Palm Coast, State parks near Jacksonville Beach, State parks near Palatka, State parks near Jacksonville

Facts from Wikidata, checked September 25, 2026. Distances are straight-line.