Florida State Parks 75th Anniversary Logo
Beautiful blue Atlantic water washes against the shores of Avalon in this aerial photo. This expansive, towered sandcastle topped with an American flag overlooks the Atlantic ocean. Whether fishing for sport or dinner, this gentleman enjoys the Avalon surf. Sheltered picnic tables wait for visitors to relax for the day.
Avalon State Park
A lone surfer heads across the sand toward the water at Avalon State Park.
An unspoiled Avalon beachfront in the 1980s. Aerial View
The welcome sign at Avalon stands before the boardwalk that leads over the dunes to the beach. Avalon Opens
This aerial view of Avalon shows the picnic shelters, showers, boardwalk and beach. Avalon Beach
This view of hurricane damage to Avalon shows a landscape stripped of much of its vegetation and scattered with debris. Avalon 2004
Newly planted sea oats wave in the breeze on Avalon's dunes. Dune Restoration

History and Culture

During World War II, the United States Navy began using this site as a top-secret training ground for their underwater demolition team called `Frogmen' . In 1943, beach obstacles were placed in the offshore water. Frogmen would dive to locate these hazards as an exercise they would later use in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Swimmers, snorkelers and surfers should be cautious of submerged concrete and steel hazards along the Atlantic shoreline.

An unspoiled Avalon beachfront in the 1980s.

Aerial View

This area was called 'The Pines' by Fort Pierce residents who loved the beach for its beautiful views of the Atlantic and for its seclusion. By the 1990s, the area was threatened by development. The State of Florida purchased the land stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian River Lagoon and established a new state park.

The welcome sign at Avalon stands before the boardwalk that leads over the dunes to the beach.

Avalon Opens

The park was named Avalon in honor of the Navy soldiers who trained here during World War II. The Navy used Avalon and the surrounding area to hone the skills of their landing craft crews and to develop their newest type of soldier, the Frogmen, who would later become the Navy SEALs.

This aerial view of Avalon shows the picnic shelters, showers, boardwalk and beach.

Avalon Beach

Avalon State Park opened in the mid-1990s, offering unequaled views of the Atlantic Ocean, great fishing and all the amenities for a day at the beach. Birding enthusiasts can now hike to the Indian River Lagoon and enjoy the increasingly rare coastal hammock. A truly idyllic spot, Avalon offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a Florida beach like no other.

This view of hurricane damage to Avalon shows a landscape stripped of much of its vegetation and scattered with debris.

Avalon 2004

In 2004, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne hit Avalon State Park just three weeks apart. The ocean surge completely devastated the northern section of the park, destroying the paved parking area and the facilities. The dune plants and much of the beach area were washed away.

Newly planted sea oats wave in the breeze on Avalon's dunes.

Dune Restoration

After the storms of 2004, restoring Avalon was complicated and difficult. Avalon's boardwalks and ramps had been damaged beyond repair and had to be removed. More than one foot of sand and debris covered the parking area and filled the facilities. Avalon State Park Rangers Tom Loveridge and Hugh O'Dare received the Davis Productivity Award for their clean up and restoration efforts. Within a year, thousands of sea oats were planted. Today, Avalon State Park is one of the most beautiful beach parks on the Atlantic Ocean.