St. Andrews State Park boasts over 1200 acres of land, which includes a shoreline on both the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. With a 2-mile paved road for biking, plus multiple access points for kayaking, boating, and fishing, this is an excellent park to visit if you want to take advantage of a range of outdoor activity options in a stunningly beautiful, protected setting.
Featuring 1.5 miles of sand beach, St. Andrews State Park is well worth the price of admission for the relaxing stroll along the white sugar sand beach. A paradise for casual or professional photographers, as well as nature lovers alike, you can be sure to see remarkable vistas along the horizon, especially at sunset. A great beach for lounging the day away, or playing in the surf with kids, just keep in mind that any canine members of the family will have to stay behind; no dogs are permitted on beaches throughout the Florida parks system.
But St. Andrews State Park is more than just its miles of beachfront shoreline. You can also find ample opportunities to explore unique ecological features on the side of the park that faces St. Andrews Bay. One must-see area of the park is the man-made Gator Lake, which was initially created after it was dredged in the 1930s. This body of water has proven to be an excellent environment for not only alligators, but also herons, egrets, raptors, and reptiles. Enjoy the Gator Lake interpretive trail, which is an easy walk that offers opportunities to hear and/or see wildlife, as well as native plant species, including fragrant rosemary scrub.
Park fees are reasonable, just $8 per vehicle for day use, with additional fees for camping and boating. Historically, the park has offered a range of services and amenities during the summer season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) including a shower facility, interpretive exhibit, as well as options for renting snorkeling equipment, plus several stores featuring souvenirs, sundries, fishing licenses, and limited grocery items. Be sure to call ahead to ensure what services will be offered at the time of your visit, and plan accordingly so that you arrive at the park prepared for your planned activities.
St. Andrews State Park is open 365 days per year, and off-season visitors will enjoy a quieter, less crowded visit. During the summer season, visitors are welcome to scuba dive, surf, and snorkel, and all year long you can choose to bring or rent fishing equipment at several points in the park.
It’s a great park with tons of options to choose from, which makes it a great fit for a group outing, and appropriate for daily use or a multi-day camping adventure to explore all that St. Andrews State Park has to offer!
St. Andrews State Park Admission & Fees:
- $8 Per Vehicle of 2-8 People
- $4 Per Single-Occupant Vehicle
- $2 Pedestrians, Bus Tours (Per Person), Bicyclists, Extra Passengers
Exact Change Through Cash Box, Credit & Debit Both Accepted
Insider Tip:
St. Andrews State Park is currently undergoing a campground reinvestment project. Limited beach camping is available, and, as of April 20, 2022, the “T” portion of the gulf fishing pier is closed due to storm damage. The Jetty Pavilion is also under construction as of Jan. 21, 2022.