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Runner on curving Boardwalk

Big Lagoon State Park

704 upland acres separate the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of America

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Effective Feb. 1, 2025: The campground at Big Lagoon State Park is currently closed for a renovation project.  Please check back here for updates on re-opening

Hours

8 a.m. until sunset, daily

 

Fees

$6 per vehicle

See all fees

Location

12301 Gulf Beach Highway
Pensacola FL 32507

Get directions

Contact Info

850-492-1595

Park Menu

  • Hours & Fees
  • Experiences & Amenities
  • Events
  • History
Make a Reservation Download Park Map

Welcome to Big Lagoon State Park

Natural communities, ranging from saltwater tidal marshes to pine flatwoods, attract a wide variety of birds, especially during the spring and fall migrations.


Pay Online, Single-Use Day Pass

Think of Big Lagoon State Park as a gateway. It not only offers swimming, boating, fishing, camping, hiking and paddling, but adventurers also can begin or end a 1,515-mile sea kayaking journey on the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail around the entire state. The top half of a kayak embedded in sand marks the launch site along with a box containing a weathered log book.

The park is also a gateway for the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. The park is a stopover for more than 23 species of wood-warbler and a variety of ducks, sandpipers and black-bellied plovers. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair from the ranger station and roam the shore and extensive coastal forest, or climb the three-story observation tower for a bird’s-eye view.

Begin your outdoor adventure at Big Lagoon State Park! 

Plan Your Visit

Kiersten Wilson, Park Manager
Learn

Manager's Message

I am extremely proud of the teamwork, dedication, integrity and good cheer of the team at Big Lagoon State Park!
Big Lagoon Visitors Services
Service

Rentals and Special Events

Big Lagoon State Park offers various rentals of facilities and paddling equipment so visitors can enjoy the Real Florida.
A view of the stars between the trees.
Learn

Stargazing at Big Lagoon

The Escambia Amateur Astronomer’s Association partners with Big Lagoon to help visitors spot planets and constellations under the inky black sky at the park. You’ll see stars!

Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling
Birding
Birding
Boating
Boating
Camping
Camping
Camping, Primitive Group
Camping, Primitive Group
Fishing
Fishing
Geo-Seeking
Geo-Seeking
Hiking
Hiking
Paddling
Paddling
Picnicking
Picnicking
Star Gazing
Star Gazing
Swimming
Swimming
Walking and Running
Walking and Running
Weddings
Weddings
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Amphitheater
Amphitheater
Beach
Beach
Boat Ramp
Boat Ramp
Campfire Circles
Campfire Circles
Campgrounds
Campgrounds
Canoe Kayak Launch
Canoe Kayak Launch
Parking
Parking
Pets
Pets
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion
Playground
Playground
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities
RV
RV
Shower Station
Shower Station
Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible

Pavilion with Canoes
Glowing orange sunset and sky.
Visitors with Tubes walking down a boardwalk
Long view of boardwalk
Children Swimming and playing in water
Three kayakers paddle around coastal marsh with view of Pavilion in the background.
Great Blue Heron sits on a tree with lush green vegetation in the background.
Three white tail deer standing amongst the vegetation on foggy morning.
A landscape view of the marshes at Big Lagoon.
Learn

Observation Tower at Big Lagoon

If you climb to the top of the three-story observation tower, the lay of the land will astound you. From the top, allow yourself a moment to take in everything that surrounds you - from towering dunes to low-lying swamplands.
A view of the jointweed.
Learn

Large-Leaf Jointweed at Big Lagoon

Big Lagoon State Park is home to many beautiful species of native plants that are seen only in Northwest Florida. Large-leaf jointweed is among the rarest.

Upcoming Events

See More Events
Event

An Evening Under The Stars

Sat, Aug 16 - 17, 2025 9:30 pm - 1:00 am CST

Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies!
Big Lagoon

Pensacola, FL

Event

An Evening Under The Stars

Sat, Sep 13 - 14, 2025 8:45 pm - 1:00 am CST

Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies!
Big Lagoon

Pensacola, FL

Event

An Evening Under The Stars

Sat, Oct 11 - 12, 2025 8:15 pm - 1:00 am CST

Big Lagoon State Park along with the Escambia Amateur Astronomer Association would like to invite you to spend an evening gazing at the skies!
Big Lagoon

Pensacola, FL

People Make the Parks

Amy, standing among the shrubbery, smiling at the camera.

Staff Spotlight

Amy Slusser's passion for the outdoors runs deep. With a degree in Ecology and Conservation, she has dedicated herself to educating people about nature at Big Lagoon State Park.
Volunteers Jimmy and Sadie Clay standing in front of their red bus known as the "Iron Horse".

Volunteer Spotlight

Jimmy and Sadie Clay have dedicated their time and talents to Florida State Parks for 13 years. Some of their fondest memories were made visiting and volunteering at Big Lagoon State Park.
Friends of Pensacola State Parks

Friends of Pensacola State Parks

Friends of Pensacola State Parks is an organization of volunteers committed to the preservation of the parks for the enjoyment of park visitors for generations to come.

This Park is Recognized by:

Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail

Park Map

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Florida State Parks

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(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:

FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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