St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
has miles of white sand beaches, striking dune formations, a
heavily-forested interior and a favorable climate for year-round
outdoor recreation. The 2,516-acre park is bounded on three
sides by the waters of St. Joe Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Beaches
Sun lovers flock to the 10 miles of white sand beach during the
summer where the water temperature averages around 84 degrees.
Swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and kite-flying are some of the
activities that take place then. Summer is also the time when
Loggerhead sea turtles come up onto the beach to nest. Visitors
are reminded to not use flashlights or lanterns on the beach at
night unless they are equipped with turtle film, from May to
October. Artificial light confuses a sea turtle’s perception of
the natural horizon. Sea turtle and shorebird nests are marked
so that you can avoid disturbing them, allowing them the best
chance for survival and success. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
has some of the oldest and highest sand dunes in the state.
These dunes are inhabited by sea oats and endangered St. Andrews
beach mouse. Visitors are reminded to not walk, climb or play on
the dunes that provide them with food and shelter. Time has
proven that these dunes help protect park amenities.
Cabins
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park has 8 loft-style, furnished
cabins on the bay side of the park. Five persons can sleep
comfortably with a maximum of 7 people allowed. The beach is 900
-1200 feet away. Boaters will need to moor in the boat basin or
trailer boats to their cabin. There are 2 queen-sized beds in
the open loft, a double futon and day bed downstairs. The
downstairs bath has a large shower. Cabins are equipped with a
fireplace (closed May - Sept), central air and heat, modern
kitchen with appliances to include a microwave and coffee maker,
screened-in porch with a picnic table, an outdoor grille and
boardwalk to the bayshore. Basic pots, pans and dinnerware are
available. Initial linens are provided, bring additional towels,
shampoos and bath soaps. Fluted filters are needed for the
coffee maker. Televisions and telephones are not provided. Only
registered guide and companion animals are permitted. Check in
time is 4pm Eastern, checkout time is 11am Eastern with a
maximum stay of fourteen days. Cabin reservations require a
minimum of two nights stay during holidays and weekends, Griday-Sunday,
and one night stay during the weekdays, Monday-Thursday. One
night stays during holidays and weekends are allowed when only
one night is available. The peak season is March 1 - September
30 and the non-peak season is October 1 - February 29.
Reservations available through Reserve America.
Full Facility Camping
We have 119 campsites in two camp areas, 99 with water and
electric, the rest have water. Gulf Breeze sites are more open
and can accommodate larger vehicles. The Shady Pines campground
is more secluded and shaded with non-electric sites on the
southern portion. Only registered guide and companion animals
are allowed. Reservations available through Reserve America.
Primitive Camping
Camping
is allowed in the Wilderness Preserve for a maximum of 14 nights
at $3.00/night for adults and $2.00 for persons aged 6 to 18.
Children under 6 are free. No facilities are available, campers
must bring their own supplies. Campers are also responsible to
pack-it-in/ pack-it-out. Pets are not permitted. Reservations
for up to 15 persons may be made up to 11 months in advance by
contacting the park at (850) 227-1327. On day of arrival, access
may be obtained by phone for boaters wishing to come from
outside the park, credit card payment is required. Registered
campers must arrive at least 1 hour prior to sunset and must
checkout with park personnel. Reservations available through
Reserve America.
Youth Camping
This area offers a primitive overnight site to organized groups
of up to 30 or a minimum of 6 persons. Chaperones must be
provided for youth groups and must remain with the group at all
times. Check in and checkout time is at noon, Eastern.
Restrooms, cold water outdoor showers, picnic tables and fire
rings are available. Reservations for the Youth Camp may be made
up to 11 months in advance by contacting the park office at
(850) 227-1327.
Boating
Canoeing
and kayaking are favorite activities around the park. Both can
be rented from local businesses on St. George Island. Small
offshore boats are used around the island for fishing. Keep in
mind that the bay is very shallow.
Boat Ramp
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is equipped with a boat ramp and
a small marina that can accommodate 15 - 18 small boats at a
time. A loading area is adjacent to the accessible outdoor
shower and a fish cleaning station. Cost for boat launching is
$1.87 plus tax over daily entrance fee. Overnight guests have
free use of the boat ramp and may leave their boats moored at
the marina, space permitting. Other boaters must remove their
boats by sunset.
Canoeing
Canoes are available for rent at the park entrance station for
$3.00/hr or $15.00/day plus tax. Kayaks, pontoon boats and other
watercraft may be rented at The Entrance located just outside
the park gate. Motorized boats are delivered to our boat basin
at Eagle Harbor. The Entrance may be contacted at 1-888-455-7529.
Fishing
Florida residents may fish from the beach or bayshore without a
fishing license. Non-residents and boat anglers must possess a
fishing license. Regulations change frequently so pick up a copy
whenever you visit. Fish caught in the waters around the park
include: Speckled Trout, Red Drum, Flounder, Mullet, Bluefish
and Whiting. SCALLOPING Bay Scallops are found in the clear
water of St. Joseph Bay and harvested during the season of July
1 - September 10. Fishing licenses and dive flags may be
required and may be purchased from local vendors.
Snorkeling
Snorkelers are drawn to the clear water of St. Joseph Bay in
search of sea horses, brittle stars and horseshoe crabs.
Canoeing
and kayaking are favorite activities around the park. Both can
be rented from local businesses on St. George Island. Small
offshore boats are used around the island for fishing. Keep in
mind that the bay is very shallow.