Located at the north end of the Cape, the St. Joseph State Park opened in 1967 and was recently named the best state park in the nation. Our park is home to over 2,700 acres of untamed beauty, including 9.5 miles of snow-white sand that has been ranked one of the best beaches in the United States by Dr. Beach.
Visitors can explore the unspoiled beauty of the Wilderness Preserve, walk through some of the tallest sand dunes in the southeast on trails to our pristine and uncrowded beaches, or launch kayaks and canoes and take in the beauty from the water. Enthusiasts can also enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and cycling. The park provides excellent opportunities for bird watchers, with over 240 species, including the magnificent bald eagles.
The park rangers are knowledgeable and helpful, allowing you to make the most out of your visit to St. Joseph State Park, which is open from 8:00 AM until sunset, 365 days a year.
Hurricane Michael Update
From the website of St. Joseph State Park:
T.H. Stone St. Joseph Memorial Peninsula State Park is recovering. The natural communities on the peninsula, such as coastal scrub, have evolved over millions of years and countless storms. Tall dunes provided extra protection. The resilient coastal ecosystems in the park are some of the best suited to rebounding after hurricanes.
The south end of the park reopened in January 2019. Staff and volunteers made an incredible effort to clean up debris and make the park safe for visitors. The breach that was created by the hurricane was filled in by sand deposited by natural processes in May 2019. Since then, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection arranged for additional sand deposits in the area, allowing for the rebuilding of dunes and a future access road. The camping facilities and cabins will reopen in the future.
The south end of the park still offers many of the experiences that make St. Joseph a great destination. Swimming, snorkeling and beachcombing are still popular activities. The concession is offering rentals of kayaks and paddleboards, and a boat ramp provides easy access to St. Joseph Bay. There is limited parking space during busy times.
We are very happy to report that The Maritime Hammock Nature Trail, a favorite of many visitors, has reopened!
For the most current information on available amenities and conditions, visit St. Joseph Memorial Peninsula State Park or call 850-227-1327. Please remember, for your safety and to protect the park’s ecosystems, please obey all posted signage.