Florida State Parks 75th Anniversary Logo
Some of the tallest dunes in the United States are found at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Eight rental cabins are available with kitchen, bedroom loft and indoor plumbing. Sea turtles nest on the beaches of St. Joseph Pninsula from May through August. The endangered snowy plover nests on the park's beaches throughout the summer months.
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
The 2,500-acre park contains 10 natural areas, nine miles of beach and many opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing.
This structure once served as the park's one-room, 400 square-foot registration and management office. Early Park Office
The old concession building was damaged by a hurricane and demolished in 1987. Old Concession
Aerial view of boat basin, visitor center and concession. Boat Basin
James Mock, park manager, and Rusty Fillingjim, park ranger, monitoring a fireline during a prescribed burn. Prescribed Burn
Park Manager Anne Harvey officiating the dedication and opening of an AmeriCorps-built boardwalk. Boardwalk Dedication

History and Culture

In 1868, the Stone family purchased much of the land surrounding the St. Joseph Bay, including the peninsula. They sold it to the U. S. government in 1940 to use for military training. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park opened in 1967. It was dedicated to the former owner, T. H. Stone, a respected community leader in Gulf County.

This structure once served as the park's one-room, 400 square-foot registration and management office.

Early Park Office

This small park office was once the business hub and entrance point to the park. In addition to serving the work needs of the park manager and assistant manager, day use, campsite and cabin registrations were also done here.

The old concession building was damaged by a hurricane and demolished in 1987.

Old Concession

A concession was once available to campers and visitors to the park. Hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks were served, and a small grocery store with tackle supplies was available. In 1987 a hurricane damaged the building, making it unusable. It was torn down shortly afterward.

Aerial view of boat basin, visitor center and concession.

Boat Basin

This aerial was taken when the boat basin, visitor center and concession were still operational. The original basin was a primitive boat launch. In the late 1980s, concrete seawalls were constructed and a boardwalk was built around the basin.

James Mock, park manager, and Rusty Fillingjim, park ranger, monitoring a fireline during a prescribed burn.

Prescribed Burn

Prescribed fire remains an important tool used by parks to maintain natural habitat. Times have changed in the nature of protective gear for the rangers. This photo was taken in the days when burn gear consisted of whatever you had on and the only equipment available included flaps and rakes. Gloves were optional. Thankfully new materials, such as the flame resistant apparel called NOMEX, is just one of the many items that provide rangers and volunteers with more protection today.

Park Manager Anne Harvey officiating the dedication and opening of an AmeriCorps-built boardwalk.

Boardwalk Dedication

Former Park Manager, Anne Harvey, presided over the dedication of a 600-yard boardwalk between the two campground circles. AmeriCorps members and park volunteers worked for several months to complete the project that crosses scrub and marsh habitats between Shady Pines and Gulf Breeze campgrounds.