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Safety Updates

Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. These requirements vary from area to area. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. We will continue to review operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health. Please review individual park pages for specific information for each location.

View details about online payments, park and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings.

Limited Visitation at this Park

Effective November 9, 2020: St. Andrews State Park is open, including the beaches. Shuttles to Shell Island are closed for the winter. Credit cards are accepted. Visitors are expected to maintain distances of at least six feet apart.

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Experiences & Amenities

Back to St. Andrews State Park

Park Menu

  • Hours & Fees
  • Experiences & Amenities
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Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling

A popular pastime at the park is to take a leisurely ride on the park’s 2-mile paved road. To preserve the natural areas of the park, bicycles are limited to roadways and are not permitted on footpaths, boardwalks or the trail that leads to the beach.

  • Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
Birding
Birding
Boat Tours
Boat Tours

Shuttle boat tours are offered from the mainland of the park to Shell Island in spring and summer. Visitors may wish to sun or walk along the shore of this pristine barrier island.

  • Tickets for boat shuttle service to Shell Island are also available online through Shell Island Shuttle.
Boating
Boating

Boating opportunities are unlimited at St. Andrews with immediate access to the Gulf of Mexico or even Shell Island.

  • Tickets for boat shuttle service to Shell Island are also available online through Shell Island Shuttle.
Camping
Camping

A campground of 60 sites is situated in the pinewoods near Grand Lagoon. All sites are equipped with electricity, water, picnic tables and grills. The sites will accommodate camping units ranging from tents to RVs up to 45 feet in length.

One dump station is located in the campground. Two bathrooms with showers and a laundry facility are also available.

Trails, beaches, a boat launch and concessions are located a short distance from the campground.

  • Pets are welcome at campsites.
  • Maximum RV length = 45 ft.
  • Reservations can be made through January 31, 2021, through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call 800-326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD 888-433-0287.
Camping, Primitive Group
Camping, Primitive Group

Currently Unavailable

Youth camping is available for Scouts, faith-based groups and other small nonprofit organized groups. The campground accommodates up to 25 people and includes picnic tables, fire ring, a portable toilet and an outside shower.

  • Call the park for reservations at 850-708-6100.
Fishing
Fishing

Fishing opportunities include deep-sea jetty and surf fishing. The fishing piers and jetty rocks provide excellent vantage points year-round. Catches include Spanish mackerel, red fish, flounder, sea trout, bonito, cobia, dolphin and bluefish.

A boat ramp and fishing pier are located on the Grand Lagoon. A concession offers snacks, souvenirs, bait, limited grocery items, and seasonal rental of chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear, canoes and kayaks.

  • All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A Florida Saltwater Fishing License is required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.

The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.

  • Operation Recreation GeoTour
Hiking
Hiking

There are two half-mile trails in the park to choose from: Heron Pond and Gator Lake trails.

  • The Heron Pond Trail takes you on a hike through the flatwood pine forest and out toward Sandy Point.
  • The Gator Lake trail provides a scenic lakeside view.
Paddling
Paddling

Kayaks are available during the summer season via the park’s boat rental shack located just beside the boat ramp. Opportunities are unlimited from just paddling around Grand Lagoon or across the boat channel to Shell Island.

Picnicking
Picnicking

There are three picnic areas in the park: the jetties use area, Gulf pier use area and at the boat basin. 

Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving

This activity is an adventure in either swimming area. The extensive shoreline and rock jetties offer excellent opportunities to study marine life. 

  • Snorkeling equipment (masks, snorkels, fins) are available for rent at any of the concession stores on the property or bring your own.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling

This activity is an adventure in either swimming area. The extensive shoreline and rock jetties offer excellent opportunities to study marine life.

  • Equipment is available for rent at any of the concession stores on the property or bring your own.
Surfing
Surfing

The Gulf side of the park is very popular for surfing - bring your board and catch some waves!

Swimming
Swimming

Swimming is one of the most popular activities at St. Andrews, with over a mile-and-a-half of beautiful white sandy beaches. The park not only offers beach access from the mainland, but also offers daily trips to Shell Island where visitors can enjoy the beach as well.

  • Trips to Shell Island are limited to seasonal dates only, from March until Labor Day weekend.
Walking and Running
Walking and Running
Weddings
Weddings

Wedding days are special at St. Andrews State Park.

  • Call 850-708-6100 for information and reservations.
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

The Gator Lake Trail and Overlook provide visitors with a beautiful vantage point for spotting alligators and a variety of waterfowl, wading birds and other small animals.

At Button Bush Marsh Overlook, a host of birds can be viewed. Herons and ibis feed along the fertile marsh edge as a variety of waterfowl swim and feed in the depths. Throughout the interior of the park you will see raccoons and white-tailed deer.

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities

St. Andrews State Park is committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to visitors. These amenities include:

  • Visitor center with exhibits (Currently Unavailable)
  • Elevated boardwalks to the beach
  • Elevated boardwalks to the beach and jetty overlook (also known as the Gun Mount)
  • Beach wheelchairs (inquire at the ranger station)
  • Two fishing piers
  • Overlook at Gator Lake
  • Overlook at Buttonbrush Marsh
  • Campsites with concrete pad, picnic table, ground grill and nearby restrooms
  • Restrooms with changing areas
  • Picnic facilities with tables and grills

Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.

Amphitheater
Amphitheater

Currently Unavailable

Beach
Beach

The beach consists of over 1.5 miles of beautiful white sand with several locations from which to swim or play.

There are two different parking areas to access the beach areas.

Boat Ramp
Boat Ramp

The park's boat ramp consists of a double-sided concrete launch that will accommodate the smallest to the largest of water craft.

Boat Launch & Entrance Fees

  • $12, one person with a boat
  • $16, 2 to 8 people with a boat
Campfire Circles
Campfire Circles

View St. Andrews State Park's events page for dates and times to join a ranger at the campfire circle for an informative program on park history or wildlife. Dates and times vary; please check the park for availability.

Campgrounds
Campgrounds
Canoe Kayak Launch
Canoe Kayak Launch
Concession and Restaurant
Concession and Restaurant

There are three stores in the park that are open during the summer season (March to Labor Day). These stores offers snacks, souvenirs, bait, limited grocery items, seasonal rental of chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear and kayaks. At this time there is no restaurant available.

  • Shell Island Shuttle
Historic Site
Historic Site

Two World War II era gun mounts can be found within the park. One of the original gun mounts is located at the jetty overlook while the other can be found on the Gulf side of the jetty beach area.    

Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit

Currently Unavailable

The Environmental Interpretive Center houses a park orientation video, topographical map and aerial photograph, plus ecosystem dioramas, including ones on the piney woods, the jetty underwater life and the marshlands. You can also view our butterfly, bird egg and sea shell collections, as well as the exhibit on sea turtle nesting.

For history enthusiasts there are several displays that will pique their interest. There is also a saltwater aquarium for your enjoyment.

  • Don't forget to check out the water safety exhibit and information on the beach flag warning system.
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Parking
Parking
Pets
Pets

All pets must be on a 6-foot leash and well-behaved at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. Pets that are noisy, vicious, dangerous or intimidating to other persons or damage park resources will be asked to leave the park with their owners.

Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all droppings in trash receptacles. You may walk your pet in the picnic areas and along the bike trails and hiking trails.

  • Pets are not allowed at the beach, wetlands, boardwalks, playground or in any buildings. Guide and service animals are excluded from the restrictions.
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion

There are four pavilions in the park available on a first-come, first-served basis. All pavilions have picnic tables and concrete pads.

Playground
Playground

When planning your visit, please be aware that the playground areas in the campground and boat ramp locations are closed for repairs until further notice.

Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities
RV
RV
Shower Station
Shower Station

Outdoor shower facilities are located at each of the day-use parking areas. There are two bathhouses located in the campground area for registered campers.

Visitor Center
Visitor Center

Currently Unavailable

Florida State Parks

Main Menu

  • Plan your visit
    • Accessibility
    • FAQs
    • Fees
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Camping & Lodging
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  • Find a Park
  • Learn
    • Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Experiences & Amenities
    • Educational Opportunities
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  • Events
  • Get Involved
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    • Work for Us

Have Questions?

Contact the Statewide Information Line:
(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:
FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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