Experiences
Fishing
Bring your fishing pole for shorefishing in the Gulf of Mexico or wade fishing in 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.
Swimming
The Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay provide excellent places to swim.
- 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 4-foot-deep swimming pool with a chair lift and wheelchair access ramp is available for swimming.
Amenities
Accessible Amenities
William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for visitors:
- Boardwalk to the one-mile sugar sand beach, St. Joseph Bay overlook and nature trails.
- Beach wheelchairs, motorized beach wheelchairs, boardwalk scooters and water wheelchairs.
- Outdoor shower/rinse stations.
- 4-foot-deep swimming pool with lift chair and wheelchair access ramp.
- Changing rooms.
- Picnic facilities.
Service animals are welcome in most areas of the park. Service animals are allowed on the pool deck, but they are not allowed in the pool.
Beach
The park offers white sandy beach. 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 shorebird 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:
- 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. Motorized and non-motorized beach wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Please use caution as lifeguards are not provided.
Cabins
Two family-style cabins are available for rent at William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area. These cabins provide overnight accommodations for people with disabilities, their families and their caregivers.
The cabin features a living room and dining area. The kitchen includes a stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot and dishes. Two accessible restrooms have zero-entry showers. Two bedrooms provide sleeping accommodations for five people. One bedroom has a queen-sized bed and one bedroom has three twin beds. A futon is available in the living room. A limited number of linens are provided, guests are encouraged to bring extras for their stay. The cabin is surrounded by a boardwalk. A picnic table is available and a propane grill is provided for cooking outside.
- For the guests' relaxation, phones are not provided.
- Pets are not permitted in cabins or park buildings, on beaches, along the natural shoreline or in the pool area. In the areas where pets are allowed, they must be on a 6-foot, hand-held leash and be well behaved at all times. For more information, see the official Pet Policy.
- Service animals are welcome in most areas of the park, including the cabins. Service animals are allowed on the pool deck, but they are not allowed in the pool.
- Reservations can be made in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
- To reserve a cabin, one or more people in your party must have a disability. That person must stay with the group for the duration of the reservation.
Pets
Pets are not permitted in cabins or park buildings, on beaches, along the natural shoreline or in the pool area. In the areas where pets are allowed, they must be on a 6-foot, hand-held leash and be well behaved at all times.
For more information, see the official Pet Policy.
Service animals are welcome in most areas of the park. Service animals are allowed on the pool deck, but they are not allowed in the pool.
Water Fountain
Staying hydrated on your outdoor adventures is important. Just bring a refillable water bottle to replenish your drinking water at the park. This will reduce single-use plastics in landfills and reduce the litter sometimes found along trails, at campsites, on beaches and in Florida’s waterways.
- At William J. “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area, you’ll find a refillable water bottle station next to the front door of the visitor center. There are two water fountains inside the visitor center.
- Learn more.