Construction Projects Completed

In October 2018, Hurricane Michael severed the peninsula just 1 mile north of the park entrance, rendering 90% of the park inaccessible (2,470 of 2,790 acres). The majority of the park’s vital infrastructure was wholly destroyed, including the popular Gulf Breeze and Shady Pines campground loops and cabins.

Several construction projects have been completed at T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection welcomes visitors to enjoy the improvements to the park facilities. We appreciate the patience and understanding of visitors during the construction phase.

Future Projects

In the future a new camping loop, the Bayview Campground, will be created on the site of the former boat trailer parking area. Campers will enjoy a scenic view over the waters of St. Joseph Bay. Approximately 19 standard-facility campsites will surround an area of natural scrubby flatwoods with a footpath to a bathhouse. 

Additional upgrades to the adjacent day-use area are anticipated during this phase of construction. 

What's Available Now

Today, the park is open for day use from 8 a.m. to sundown and offers nearly 20 miles of beach and bay shoreline for recreation and wildlife habitat. Visitors can enjoy fishing, bicycling, birding, hiking, paddling, picnicking, shelling, swimming and wildlife viewing. Kayak, canoe and pontoon boat rentals are available at the Eagle Harbor Marina. The popular Maritime Hammock Nature Trail, Bayview Nature Trail and Wilderness Trail are open. The Gulf Breeze day-use area has reopened allowing visitors to explore an area of beach north of Eagle Harbor with a scenic backdrop of piney flatwoods and open marsh. The Bayview Kayak launch and day-use area has reopened for visitor use.   

Visitors enjoy overnight stays in the 46-site Shady Pines campground, eight cabins and 14 primitive campsites in the Wilderness Preserve.

Since 2018, several significant projects have been completed. Tons of debris and downed or hazardous timber have been removed from the park. The breach caused by Hurricane Michael has filled in and been stabilized, and a new road is in place. A beach renourishment project repaired the dunescape using an off-shore dredge site. The beach restroom has been remodeled, and sea oats have been planted to stabilize the dune and help prevent erosion. The Gulf Breeze and Bayview day-use area parking areas have been completed allowing beach access north of Eagle Harbor.  Eagle Harbor Marina dredging and parking area improvements have been completed.

Cabin Renovations

Eight vacation cabins are available for overnight stays in the park. Each one bedroom/one bathroom cabin has sleeping accommodations for six people and a fabulous view of St. Joseph Bay. Boardwalks provide easy access to the Gulf of America beaches.

Primitive Camping

Fourteen primitive campsites offer a remote experience in the Wilderness Preserve. This sensitive natural community was resilient to the impacts of Hurricane Michael. Contact the park for reservations to enjoy this pack-it-in, pack-it-out camping experience.

Day-Use Facilities

Park visitors have access to two new day-use areas for picnicking and other recreation.

The Gulf Breeze Day-Use Area (former Gulf Breeze Campground) allows visitors to explore an area of beach north of Eagle Harbor with a scenic backdrop of piney flatwoods and open marsh that provide habitat for an abundance of wildlife. Additional amenities at this location include a restroom, covered pavilions and boardwalk to the beach.

A large pavilion at the Bayview Day-Use Area provides shade for picnickers. This area can also be used by hikers on the Bayview Hiking Trail and paddlers for launching paddle craft and small watercraft.

The Eagle Harbor Day-Use Area provides access to the Gulf Beach and St. Joseph Bay. Marina dredging and parking area improvements have been completed.