St. Andrews State Park
Activities at St. Andrews State Park
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BeachesThe beach consists of two and a half miles of beautiful white sand with several location from which to swim or play. There are two different parking areas in which to access the beach areas. |
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BicyclingA popular past time at the park, take a leisurely ride on the park’s 2 mile paved road. For your safety, remember persons under the age of 16 years are required by law to wear a properly fitting bike helmet. To preserve the natural areas of the park, bicycles are limited to roadways and are not permitted on footpaths, boardwalks or the trail that leads to the beach. |
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Boat RampThe parks boat ramp consists of a double-sided concrete launch that will accommodate the smallest to the largest of water craft. |
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Boat ToursShuttle boat tours are offered to go from the mainland of the park to Shell Island in spring and summer. Visitors may wish to sun or walk along the shore of this pristine barrier island. Tickets are available at the park concession. |
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BoatingBoating opportunities are unlimited at St. Andrews with immediate access to the Gulf of Mexico or even Shell Island. |
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Campfire CirclesEvery Friday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day please join a Ranger at the campfire circle as they offer a very informational program on either park history or wildlife. |
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Camping, Full FacilityTwo campground loops are situated in the pinewoods near Grand Lagoon. There are 176 camp sites with electricity, water, picnic tables and grills. The sites will accommodate camping units ranging in size from tents to RVs up to 40 feet in length. Dump stations are located in the campground. Five bathrooms with showers and a laundry facility are also available. Trails, beaches, a boat launch and concessions are located a short distance from the campground. Pets are welcome at campsites. |
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Camping, PrimitivePrimitive camping is available for scouts, faith-based groups and other small non-profit organized groups. The campground accommodates up to 25 people and includes picnic tables, fire ring, a portable toilet and an outside shower. Pets are not allowed in this area. Call the park for reservations at (850) 233-5140. More information about Primitive Camping at St. Andrews State Park (PDF - 0.02KB) |
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Camping, YouthYouth camping is available for scouts, faith-based groups and other small non-profit organized groups. The campground accommodates up to 25 people and includes picnic tables, fire ring, a portable toilet and an outside shower. Call the park for reservations at (850) 233-5140. |
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Canoeing & KayakingCanoes and Kayaks are available via the parks camp store located just up from the boat ramp are during the summer season. Opportunities are unlimited from just paddling around Grand Lagoon or across the boat channel to Shell Island. |
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Concession & RestaurantThere are three stores on the park that are open during the summer season (March to Labor Day). These stores offers snacks, souvenirs, bait, fishing licenses, limited grocery items, and rental of chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear, canoes, and kayaks. At this time there is no restaurant available. |
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FishingFishing opportunities include deep-sea jetty and surf fishing. Two fishing piers and jetties provide excellent vantage points year-round. Catches include Spanish mackerel, red fish, flounder, sea trout, bonito, cobia, dolphin and bluefish. A boat ramp is located on the Grand Lagoon near the fishing pier. A concession offers snacks, souvenirs, bait, fishing licenses, limited grocery items and rental of chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear, canoes, and kayaks. |
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Hiking/Nature TrailThere are two trails in the park to choice from, Heron Pond, and Gator Lake trails. The Heron Pond Trail takes you one a hike through the flatwood pine forest, and by the Turpentine Still. The trail at Gator Lake takes you on a scenic view of Gator Lake. |
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PetsAll pets must be on a 6-foot leash and well behaved at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. Pets that are noisy, vicious, dangerous, or intimidating to other persons, or damage park resources, will be asked to leave the park with their owners. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all droppings in trash receptacles. You may walk your pet in the picnic areas, along the bike trails, and hiking trails. Pets are not allowed on the beach, wetlands, or playground. Guide and Service animals are excluded from the above restrictions. |
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Picnic PavilionThere are eight pavilions in the park available, first come, first served. All pavilions have picnic tables and concrete pads. |
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PicnickingThere are three picnic areas in the park, Jetties use area, Gulf Pier use area, and at the boat basin. The only picnic area that has grills is the boat basin. |
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PlaygroundThere are two playgrounds within St. Andrews State Park - one at the boat basin and the other in the camping area. Both playgrounds have state-of-the-art equipment and benches for sitting. |
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Scuba DivingThis activity is an adventure in either swimming area. The extensive shoreline and rock jetties offer excellent opportunities to study marine life. Equipment is available for rent at any of the concession stores on the property or bring your own. |
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Showers, Day VisitorsThere are four bathhouses located in the campground area for registered campers use while they stay at the park. Shower facilities for day visitors are located at each of the day use parking areas for their convenience after a long day at the beach. |
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SnorkelingThis activity is an adventure in either swimming area. The extensive shoreline and rock jetties offer excellent opportunities to study marine life. Equipment is available for rent at any of the concession stores on the property or bring your own. |
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SurfingGood Surfing! |
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SwimmingThis activity is one of the most popular things to do while at St. Andrews, with over 1 mile and a half of beautiful white sandy beaches to swim from. The park not only offers beach access from the mainland, but also offers daily trips to Shell Island where a visitor can enjoy the beach as well. However, trips to Shell Island are limited to seasonal dates only which are from March till Labor Day weekend. |
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Visitor CenterLocated behind the camp-store, contains several different brochures of information to help our day visitors enjoy their stay at the park. Also, available inside the center is a restroom facility. |
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Visitor CenterThe park offers three stores, eight pavilions, four bathhouses, as well as a visitor center for information. |
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WeddingsWedding days are special at St. Andrews State Park. Call (850) 233-5140 for more information. |
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Wildlife ViewingThe Gator Lake Trail and Overlook provide visitors with a beautiful vantage point for spotting alligators and a variety of waterfowl, wading birds and other small animal. At Button Bush Marsh Overlook, a host of birds can be viewed. Herons and ibis feed along the fertile marsh edge as a variety of waterfowl swim and feed in the depths. Throughout the interior of the park you will see raccoon and white tail deer. |




