Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
add your rate
Miles of undeveloped beach with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and Apalachicola Bay on the other provide the perfect setting for this park. The park offers ample opportunities for sunbathing, swimming, canoeing, boating, hiking, camping, and nature study. Two boat ramps provide access to Apalachicola Bay where anglers can fish for flounder, redfish, sea trout, pompano, whiting, and Spanish mackerel. Few parks offer better opportunities for gulf coast shelling. Shore birds such as the snowy plover, least tern, black skimmer, and willet often nest along the park?s sandy shores and grass flats. The park has six large picnic shelters equipped with grills, tables, and restrooms. The campground features full-facility campsites; a primitive campsite can be accessed by trail or by private boat. Located on St. George Island, 10 miles southeast of Eastpoint, off U.S. 98.
CAMPING
This 1,962 acre barrier island park has 60 campsites with electric and water hookups available for reservation through Reserve America.
Primitive Camping
Primitive camping is available at Gap Point. The primitive camping is only accessible by foot via the 2 mile Gap Point Trail or by canoe, kayak or other shallow drafting vessel.
Youth Camping
Youth Group camping is available to organized groups of up to 25 or a minimum of 6 persons. This is a tents only area. Chaperones must be provided for youth groups and must remain with the group at all times. Restrooms, cold water showers, picnic tables and a campfire circle are available. Reservations for the Youth Camp may be made up to 11 months in advance by contacting the park office at (850) 927-2111.
SWIMMING
Swimming and sunbathing are popular activities on the white sandy beaches and clear Gulf waters. NO LIFEGUARDS ARE PROVIDED.
BEACHES
The park offers 9 miles of some of the most pristine beaches along the Gulf coast of Florida. Visitors can access 4 miles of beach along the parks main drive. The last 5 miles to the East Pass is accessible only by foot or special permit for four wheel drive vehicles.
BOATING
Boat Ramp
There are two natural, not paved or maintained, ramps for boat access to Apalachicola Bay. One ramp is located at the Youth Camp area and the other is 2 miles from the entrance station. Both ramps are restricted to small craft less than 24 in length with shallow draft. Knowledge of local conditions is required for safe boating in the area.
Boating
Canoeing and kayaking are favorite activities around the park. Both can be rented on the Island, call the park for more information. Small offshore boats are used around the island for fishing. Keep in mind that the bay is very shallow.
FISHING
Surf and bay fishing may yield catches of flounder, redfish, sea trout, pompano, whiting or sometimes Spanish mackerel. A saltwater fishing license is required in Florida.
PICNICKING
The park offers 6 large shelters on the beach equipped with restrooms and showers. Each shelter has grills for cooking and several picnic tables for visitors. These shelters can also be reserved. Call the park for more information.
TRAILS
Nature Trails
The 2.5 mile trail to Gap Point begins in the campground and meanders through the pine flatwood forest to the bay. East Slough Trail can be accessed in the campground or at the East Slough Beach access area. The 1 mile long East Slough trail features boardwalks, resting benches and information on the resources.