SAINT JOSEPH PENINSULA STATE PARK
With miles of white sugar sand, this park has one of the top rated beaches in the United States. Sunbathing, snorkeling, and swimming are popular activities along the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay. From offshore, canoeists and kayakers can take in a superb view of the high dunes and sand pine scrub. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, and bicycling. As a coastal barrier peninsula, St. Joseph provides excellent opportunities for bird watching; over 240 species have been sighted in the park. A boat ramp is located at Eagle Harbor on the bay side. Campers can stay in a full-facility campground, a short walk from the beach, or at primitive campsites in the wilderness preserve. Eight cabins on the bay side offer alternative overnight accommodations.


CABINS
St. Joseph Peninsula offers eight cabins that will sleep a maximum of seven people each. Each cabin has an upstairs loft containing 2 queen-sized beds, a fold-out futon sofa, and a day bed. The kitchen contains a stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee-maker, basic dishes, pots and pans, silverware, and a dining table. A screened porch with picnic table and rocking chairs faces St. Joseph Bay. Each cabin has central heat and air, as well as a wood burning fireplace. A grill and shower are outside each cabin. Linen is provided. All you need is food and your personal items. St. Joseph State Park Cabin Inventory: BED/LINENS: Pillows, Pillow Covers, Blankets, Flat Sheets, Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Face Cloths. COOKWARE: 2qt. Saucepan, 1qt. Saucepan, 9x14 Baking Pan, 10in Fry Pan, 8in Fry Pan, 5 qt. Dutch Oven, 2 Slice Toaster, 4 Cup Coffee Maker, Colander. COOKING UTENSILS: Chefs Knife, cutting Board, Cooking Spoon, Measuring Cup, Spatula, Can Opener. DISHWARE (Service up to 7 people): Dinner Plates, Small Plates, Bowls, Coffee Cups, Plastic Drinking Glasses, Silverware, 1 Large Bowl.



CAMPING
Full Facility Camping

We have 119 campsites with water and electric available. Gulf Breeze sites are more open and can accommodate larger vehicles. The Shady Pines campground is more secluded and shaded. Only registered guide and companion animals are allowed.

Primitive Camping

Camping is allowed in the Wilderness Preserve for a maximum of 14 nights at per/person/night. No facilities are available, campers must bring their own supplies. Campers are also responsible to pack-it-in/ pack-it-out and to practice " Leave No Trace" principles where possible" website. 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.

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.

SWIMMING
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.

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.

BOATING
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 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.

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.SPEARING: Prohibited up to 400 feet offshore. Please check current fishing regulations. " Hawaiian slings" cannot be unloaded and are not allowed in the park.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. Dive flags are required and may be purchased from local vendors.

TRAILS
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park offers 3 different trail experiences: The Maritime Hammock Trail winds through a coastal hammock environment to the shores of St. Joseph Bay. The Bayview Nature Trail curves through a maritime oak community and a salt marsh before running alongside the bay. This trail offers a stepping off point to the Wilderness Preserve trail. The Wilderness Preserve Trail begins at the end of the paved road and continues through 1750 acres of an unspoiled coastal ecosystem. The trail stretches through the center of the peninsula for 7 miles before reaching the tip. There are no bathroom facilities, no water, and limited shade, so please plan your visit accordingly.

AREA ATTRACTIONS
Birding

Late September throughout October, thousands of migrating hawks and falcons fly over or rest at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. These raptors travel south from Canada and the northern United States until reaching the Gulf of Mexico, where they turn to the west following the Gulf coast until reaching Mexico and South America. Following the passage of cold fronts, large numbers of sharp-shinned hawks (with a few Cooper?s hawks mixed in) and broad-winged hawks are seen daily. American kestrels, merlins, the endangered peregrine falcon, Mississippi kites, marsh hawks, opsreys, red-tailed hawks, and red-shouldered hawks can also be seen in small numbers. Download our bird list that includes 247 species that have been observed at our park, just one site on the Great Florida Birding Trail, www.floridabirdingtrail.com. Please be sure to visit us each October as we participate in the Florida Panhandle Birding and Wildflower Festival. See www.birdfestival.org for more information.

Snorkeling

Snorkelers are drawn to the clear water of St. Joseph Bay in search of sea horses, brittle stars and horseshoe crabs. Dive flags are required and may be purchased from local vendors.

PETS
Pets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground.

DIRECTIONS
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is located near Port St. Joe. On US 98 (heading East) turn onto SR30-A, travel to SR30E, turn and travel to the park.From Apalachicola, take US 98 West, turn left on C-30A, then turn left on C-30E and travel to park.