Beaches

Anastasia's beautiful beach attracts walkers, joggers, fishermen, birders, and nature-lovers. Quality beach breaks and seasonally warm water draw surfers and kayakers.

A designated swimming area is lifeguarded from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but swimmers should always exercise caution, whether a lifeguard is present or not. Swimming in tidal or ocean areas always presents some degree of danger, including the threat of rip currents. Always heed advice or warnings posted for your protection.

The beach is open to bicyclists and pedestrians, but not to motorized vehicles. Beach wheelchairs are available upon request at no charge. No pets are allowed on the beach--"It's for the birds! "

Bicycling

Over 4 miles of beach and several miles of park roads, some with bike lanes, are available for bicycling. You can rent bicycles at Island Joe's inside Anastasia State Park.

Boating

Salt Run, a tidal salt marsh, is a kayaker's delight. Catamarans and non-motorized boats may also enjoy the area. Operators of motorized craft, please obey signs, follow regulations, and keep your speed very slow (trawling) to preserve the habitat and for the safety of visitors and wildlife. Jet skis are not allowed.

Canoeing

Salt Run, a tidal salt marsh, is a canoer's delight.

Concessions

Island Joe's camp store, rental shop, and tropical grill sells beach sundries, camping and fishing supplies, and rents bicycles, beach chairs, ocean toys, umbrellas, canoes, sailboards, paddleboats and kayaks. Lessons on various water sports are available. Beach wheelchairs are available at no charge.

Fall/Winter Camp Store Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Firewood and ice are available at the Camp Store.

Grill Saturday and Sunday 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (weather permitting).
Call 904-461-9322 for more information.

Facilities

Campground

Fishing

The fishing area on Salt Run features a fish identification kiosk, a monofilament disposal bin, and a fish-cleaning station! Waters off the north end of the park are also popular. If you come ashore onto the park during your fishing adventure, please avoid the delicate marsh and fragile dunes. Please take all trash with you, as garbage is harmful to wildlife and unsightly. Thank you!
Do you need a Fishing License?

Full Facility Camping

Anastasia State Park has 139 camping sites for RVs and tents. Sites are located in the hammock forest, away from blowing sand and salt spray, but most are within easy bicycling or walking distance from the beach. Hammock plants provide visual privacy between most sites. Site sizes vary from 10 feet to 40 feet. ADA-compliant sites are available.

Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance by calling Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521 (or TDD 1-888-433-0287). Sites cost $25.07 a night. (Rates are subject to change without notice.

All sites have electricity and water, a picnic table, an in-ground grill and a fire ring. A communal dump station is free for park campers. Please put your trash in the compactor near the entrance to the campgrounds.

Pay phones are available at Hill Top Picnic Area and at Island Joe's. Island Joe's also features a free wi fi hotspot and a phone jack at Island Joe's pay phone. Forgot something? Island Joe's camp store, rental shop, and tropical grill sells beach sundries, camping and fishing supplies, and rents bicycles, beach chairs, ocean toys, umbrellas, canoes, sailboards, paddleboats and kayaks. Beach wheelchairs are available at no charge. Lessons on various water sports are available. Call 904-461-9322 for more information.

Anastasia also offers the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library of picture books for campers aged four to nine. For a quiet afternoon or bedtime, share a story with your child to help explain the sights and sounds of Anastasia State Park, from pelicans to insects. Enhance your child's experience in the Real Florida with a lending library treat! Ask to check out a book from the Ranger Station!

Interpretive Exhibit

Get a preview of the park's birds, fish, and ecological zones at informative kiosks! Learn about sea turtles, the endangered Anastasia Island Beach Mouse, and how to help our threatened shore birds!

Nature Trails

Nature trails meander through the ancient dunes shaded by hammock forests. Ask for brochures about birds found in Anastasia State Park so you can identify as you go! 4.5 miles of beach (one way) can give hikers a real work out and the opportunity to spot numerous birds and even dolphins or other whales! Just remember you might be walking up-wind on the way home! The nature trails are mostly flat, but some spots are hilly, narrow or have stairs.

Pet Camping

Pets are allowed in the park's roads, trails, camping, and picnic areas! However, pets are not allowed on the beach. This rule helps preserve an important habitat for wildlife.
Pets must be kept on a 6-foot hand-held leash at all times and must be quiet and well-behaved. You must "scoop" after your pet. (Don't forget your baggies!) Please do not leave your pet unattended for more than half an hour. Please do not leave your pets unattended in a vehicle for their safety, as temperatures inside vehicles can be dangerously high.

Please see the Florida State Parks Pet Policy for more information.

Picnicking

Please come by and enjoy our picnic facilities. Anastasia State Park has three picnic areas. Hilltop picnic area, close to the marsh and the ocean, features several covered picnic tables and a restroom. Windsurf Picnic Pavilion, by the marsh, and Sea Turtle Picnic Pavilion, close to the ocean, are available to rent at $79.50 (including tax) per day. Contact our Ranger Station at 904-461-2033 to reserve a pavilion, or if you have any additional questions about our picnic facilities.

Playground

Anastasia State Park offers three playgrounds. Two are convenient to the campground loops and one is available to all visitors in the beach access area.

RV Camping

Numerous spacious and private RV sites at Anastasia State Park allow RV’ers to enjoy the outdoors with access to both electric and water. A communal dump station is available at no extra charge. Please steward the park resources by conserving water and electricity during your stay. Sites are within an easy walk or bike ride from the beach. Tent camping with electric and water is also available. For reservations please call Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521.

Showers

Outdoor showers are available by the beach for rinsing off sand and saltwater. Showers for bathing may be purchased at the ranger station.

Surfing

Anastasia State Park hosts some of the better surfing on the east coast of Florida. Four miles of beach break allow visitors to spread out if they like. Blowhole and Middles still attract surfers willing to make the walk or bike ride, but quality beach break is available for the length of the park.

Surfers wear trunks or bathing suits in the summer months, but water and air temperatures may make a full wetsuit desirable in late fall, winter and early spring. Ocean and beach equipment can be rented from Island Joe's Camp Store and Tropical Grille, right in the park by the beach, and local surf shops abound to help visitors, as well.

Entering the water in tidal or ocean areas always presents some degree of danger, including the threat of rip currents. Always heed advice or warnings posted for your protection.

Swimming

A designated swimming area at the beach access ramp behind Island Joe's is lifeguarded from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but swimmers should always exercise caution, whether a lifeguard is present or not. Swimming in tidal or ocean areas always presents some degree of danger, including the threat of rip currents. Always heed advice or warnings posted for your protection.

Wildlife Viewing

Anastasia State Park is great place to see birds, marsh life, and even whales or other sea creatures. Windsurf Picnic Area and the beach boardwalk over the marsh provide beautiful vistas of wildlife habitat.