St. Marks Lighthouse

The St. Marks Light is the second-oldest light station in Florida. The structure consists of the light keeper’s house attached to the 88 – foot tower, both resting on a 12- foot thick limestone base. According to local legend, the limestone blocks are from the ruins of old Fort San Marcos de Apalachee.

There are 85 spiral steps that extend up brick tower to the lantern room; the first 72 are wood and the last thirteen are iron. The tower walls are four feet thick at the base, tapering to 18 inches at the top. From 1867 until 2014 the lantern room contained a fourth order Fresnel lens.

Over the years, oil, kerosene, and electricity have powered the lamp which can be seen in the range of 12 – 14 miles, depending on light conditions. The St. Marks Lighthouse tower has always been white with a black lantern top. The keeper’s house has four- foot thick brick walls with twelve windows and two chimneys. Two exterior doors open onto the long covered porch.

Where it is:

St Marks Lighthouse is located on the east side of the mouth of the St. Marks River, on Apalachee Bay in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

The Refuge’s Visitor Center and administrative office is located about 25 miles south of Tallahassee, FL. From Tallahassee, take SR 363 (Woodville Hwy) to Wakulla. Turn left (east) on SR 267 (Bloxham Cutoff). At US 98 (Coastal Hwy), turn left (east) and cross the St. Marks River. Turn right on Lighthouse Road (CR 59) and drive 3 miles to the Visitor Center/Office.  Continue for about 8 miles to the Lighthouse.

Maps:

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.

GPS:

30°4’27.264″ N 84°10’46.53″ W

Cost:

$1 per bike/pedestrian
$5 per vehicle
$25 for annual refuge pass
Federal Recreation Fee Passes are honored

Hours:

St. Marks is a Daylight Use Only refuge. The gates open at 6:00 a.m. and close at approximately at sunset, the actual time varying slightly with the season.

Visitor Center and Administrative Office
Monday – Friday
8 am – 4 pm
Saturday and Sunday
10 am – 5 pm
St. Marks Lighthouse
Subject to change. Check the Events or call the Visitor Center, 850-925-6121, for latest schedule.

Facilities:

Food & Lodging – there is no place on the refuge to buy food or stay overnight, but picnic tables, drinking water. Restrooms are located inside the Visitor Center and at Tower Pond Trail.

Location Contact Information:

  • St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
    (850) 925-6121
    1255 Lighthouse RoadSt. Marks,FL32355

 

St. Marks Lighthouse Photo Gallery

Click Here for full page gallery

 

More Photographic Destinations in Florida

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

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All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.  

Great Places for Great Photos

 

Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!

 
 

Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.

Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group.

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