Experiences
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.
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 for the shuttle service to Shell Island are available online through the park’s concessionaire or at the park.
Boaters enjoy access to St. Andrews Bay, Shell Island and the inlet to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Tickets for boat shuttle service to Shell Island are also available online through the park’s concessionaire.
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.
- For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
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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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
There are three stores in the park that are open during the summer season.
- Visit St. Andrews State Park Adventures or call 850-919-6292 for more information.
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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.
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.
