Beaches

Park visitors can enjoy the great beauty of our beach that we are well-known for. The beach offers a firm sandy bottom and a beautiful view of the Florida coastline. Take a leisurely stroll and find the 'gems' we call seashells in a variety of beautiful shapes and colors.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park has ADA-accessible facilities and picnic pavilions. The beach showers at the south restroom are wheelchair-accessible and ADA-compliant. If you would like to use our beach wheelchair, please tell the Toll Collector when you enter the park. Use of beach wheelchair is free of charge and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Bicycling

We have a paved bike path that begins outside the park, winds through the park taking you to our playground, picnic area, or if you prefer, the beach.

Camping, Youth

Available to organized youth groups, the primitive camping area is located along the Indian River Lagoon and accommodates up to 34 campers. Facilities include two self-composting toilets, two cold water showers, three covered shelters with picnic tables, two standard charcoal grills, a large charcoal grill, a fire pit, a flagpole and running water. There is no electricity. The facility includes access to the Indian River Lagoon for kayaks and canoes, but no motorized boats or jet skis are allowed in the area. One adult chaperone for every five youths is required. The showers and facilities are ADA accessible. No pets of any kind are allowed in the camp area. Fees are $2.00 per youth per night and $5.00 per adult per night. Fees may be waived for one night upon the completion of a service project. Arrangements for a service project must be made before arrival. Camping fees include entry to park. The ocean, inlet and beaches are approximately three-quarters of a mile from the camping facilities. Lifeguards are present beachside between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Currently, no wood fires are allowed and groups may not bring wood into the park due to the Laurel wilt disease which is killing the Redbay trees.

Canoeing & Kayaking

Canoeing or kayaking the Indian River Lagoon is a great way to spend the day. The park offers several areas from which you may launch your canoe or kayak, most just 30-40 yards to the water's edge. Bring a picnic lunch and explore the lagoon's pristine estuary and diverse wildlife.

Fishing

If you like to fish, this is one of the hottest places you can fish from land! At certain times of the year, you may see fish migrating along the coast or passing through the inlet. You can catch various species of fish including Bluefish, Snook, Red Drum, Flounder and Trout. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required.

Hiking/Nature Trail

Our Oak Hammock Trail leads visitors through one of the few remaining oak hammocks on a south Florida barrier island. It's a nice, leisurely walk and only 30-minutes long. You can see many native trees including Gumbo Limbo, Redbay and a variety of oaks.

Participation Requirements

Picnicking

The park has 5 covered pavilions that are available either on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation. Pavilions # 1, 2, and 3 are our large pavilions. Each pavilion has 12 standard picnic tables as well as 2 ADA-accessible tables. These pavilions rent for $85.20 per day, tax included. Pavilions # 4 and 5 each have 8 standard picnic tables and 1 ADA-accessible table. These pavilions rent for $63.90 per day, tax included. No electric or water is available with any of our pavilions. For availability and reservations, please contact the park.

Scuba Diving

Scuba diving is available; we have a reef about 100 yards from the beach. This is where you can explore our Atlantic "underwater paradise." A Diver-Down flag must be displayed.

Showers, Day Visitors

The park offers four showers on the beach side that can be accessed from our north and south boardwalks. This makes it easy to shower-off at the end of your memorable day, change clothes and hop in your vehicle.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is a popular recreational activity, weather permitting. Snorkelers can enjoy the beautiful tropical sea life that awaits them below. Most of the year, our waters are so clear you just might think you’re in the Bahamas! A Diver-Down flag must be displayed.

Surfing

Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park has been ranked as the #1 place to surf in South Florida by the Palm Beach Post in March 2008! Our great surf is due to the reef line lying just outside of the jetty; with incoming and high tides, the waves are at their best and surfers pour in. Because of our impressive waves, the park is home to a wide range of surfing competitions held yearly between September and February.

Swimming

Swimming is permitted in the Atlantic Ocean which is easily accessible from one of our four boardwalks. Lifeguards are on duty only in the summer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Wheelchair Accessible

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park has ADA-accessible facilities and picnic pavilions. The beach showers at the south restroom are wheelchair-accessible and ADA-compliant. If you would like to use our beach wheelchair, please tell the Toll Collector when you enter the park. Use of beach wheelchair is free of charge and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wildlife Viewing

Due to our location, bird watching is a popular pastime. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, the park affords a variety of habitat and food sources for all types of coastal and migratory birds.