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  3. William J "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area

Experiences and Amenities

Back to William J "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area

Park Menu

  • Hours & Fees
  • Experiences & Amenities
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Experiences

Birding
Birding

Bring your binoculars and your life list. Look for bald eagles, swallow-tailed kites, herons, egrets, ibis, snowy plovers, red-shouldered hawks and a variety of songbirds.

Fishing
Fishing

Bring your fishing pole for wade fishing on St. Joseph Bay.

  • All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
Hiking
Hiking

The park offers one mile of sugar sand beach, perfect for a beach walk. You’ll also enjoy about two miles of boardwalks and ramps connecting amenities throughout the recreation area.

Paddling
Paddling

St. Joseph Bay provides opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. A launch is provided on the bayside of the park.

Picnicking
Picnicking

Bring a picnic lunch. Picnic tables are available on the deck near the swimming pool.

Shelling
Shelling

The beach of William J. "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area is a great place to look for shells.

  • Live shelling is prohibited. If an animal lives in the shell, leave it on the beach.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling

The waters of the Gulf of Mexico provide good places to snorkel. Bring your own equipment. 

Star Gazing
Star Gazing

William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area offers excellent dark sky opportunities. The remote location of the park and distance from major cities allow the opportunity for visitors to enjoy the night sky.

Swimming
Swimming

The Gulf of Mexico provides an excellent place to swim. The waters are clear and relatively shallow.

  • There are no lifeguards on-duty and you should be familiar with the risk associated with swimming in open water. 
  • Rip tides and marine hazards can cause harm and at times be deadly. 
  • Be sure to take a friend and let others know your plans, and it is always best to wear a lifejacket or carry flotation when swimming in open waters. 

When weather permits, the Olympic-size swimming pool with a wheelchair ramp will open for swimming.

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities

William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for visitors:

  • Event hall.
  • Boardwalk to the one-mile sugar sand beach.
  • Beach wheelchairs. No charge. First-come, first served. Ask at the event hall.
  • Outdoor shower/rinse stations.
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with wheelchair ramp (opening soon).
  • Changing rooms.
  • Picnic facilities.

Service animals are welcome in all areas of the park.

Beach
Beach

The park offers white sandy beaches. Swimming, shelling, snorkeling and just relaxing on the beach are the most popular activities. Sea turtle and shorebirds nest on the beach in summer months.

  • Please stay off the dunes, and do not disturb sea turtle nests or enter shore bird nesting areas.
  • Pets are not permitted on the beach at the state park. Review our pet policy 
  • Visitors to coastal parks are reminded to pay close attention to the Warning Flag Signs posted at welcome stations and on the beaches. These flags indicate the swimming conditions at the beach:
Beach Warning Flags Signage

  • Double red flags mean absolutely no swimming because of high winds and undertow currents
  • Red flag means high hazards, such as high surf and/or strong currents, swim at your own risk. Knee deep is too deep.
  • Yellow flag means swim with caution and stay close to shore
  • Green flag means that the waters are safe
  • Purple flag means that marine pests are present.
  • The park has a boardwalk to the beach and also offers two beach wheelchairs. These amenities are offered first-come, first-served. Arrangements for use of these devices can be made at the visitor center.

  • Please use caution as lifeguards are not provided.
Canoe Kayak Launch
Canoe Kayak Launch

Canoes and kayaks can be launched on the bayside of the park. Paddling on St. Joseph Bay is a popular activity.

Parking
Parking

A small parking lot is available.

Pets
Pets

Pets are not allowed on beaches, along the natural shoreline, in the pool area or on the boardwalks. In the areas where pets are allowed, they must be on a six-foot, hand-held leash and be well behaved at all times.

For more information, see the official Pet Policy.

Service animals are welcome in all areas of the park.

Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

Restrooms are available near the swimming pool and in the visitor center.

Shower Station
Shower Station

A shower station is available for rinsing off.

Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool

Coming Soon

An Olympic-size swimming pool is available year-round. The pool features a wheelchair accessible ramp.

Visitor Center
Visitor Center

A multi-purpose event hall with exhibits provides information about the park.

Wheelchair Accessible
Wheelchair Accessible

William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for visitors:

Manager Stephanie McDonald stands with two motorized beach wheelchairs.

Manager Stephanie McDonald stands with two motorized beach wheelchairs. The chairs were provided by the Duke Energy Foundation.
  • Visitor center / event hall.
  • Boardwalk to the one-mile sugar sand beach.
  • Outdoor shower/rinse stations.
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with wheelchair ramp (coming soon).
  • Changing rooms.
  • Picnic facilities.
  • Beach wheelchairs. No charge. To use them, visitors can ask at the visitor center/event hall. Two non-motorized and two motorized chairs are available. If one is available, you will receive a short tutorial and be asked to sign a form. Each chair can be used for up to four hours. First-come, first-served. There are also two non-motorized chairs available.

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

Florida State Parks

Main Menu

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    • Fees
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    • Newsletter
  • Resources
  • Experiences & Amenities
    • Educational Opportunities
    • Programs
    • Research & Collecting
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(850) 245-2157

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

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