Have the Best Beach Day Ever at these 12 Great Florida State Parks with Beautiful Beaches (Plus a Bonus)
Florida is known as a wonderland of theme parks, roller coasters, and swanky hotels, so sometimes it’s easy to forget the natural scenery it has to offer — but we’re here to remind you this coastal state has over 40 state parks open to the public!
While these parks have tons of marshland, crystal clear rivers, and lakes, they also include some of the best beachfront escapes. Want an excuse to ditch the mouse ears (but not MouseEars TV!) and spend a warm day on the sand? Look no further! Here are 12 Florida state parks with beautiful beaches — and other great features — for you to enjoy on your next trip.
1. Saint Andrews State Park, Panama City
Let’s start with a fan-favorite for any Florida traveler: St. Andrews State Park. Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew’s Bay, this park is a year-round delight. The calm waters of the coastal lagoon offer great opportunities for snorkeling, surfing, and swimming. If you want to get away from it all for a few days, check out their camping amenities for RV hookups and tent sites.
2. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin
One of the few parks in Florida kept completely natural, Caladesi Island State Park is only accessible via boat but offers a beautiful natural playground to explore. With pristine beaches, live oak groves, and a bayside mangrove forest, there’s a lot to see here! Fishing, hiking, beachcombing, and swimming are all popular activities in the park. While there’s no camping or structures directly on the island, you can find hotel accommodations on the mainland nearby in Tampa!
3. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo
One of our favorite parks on the list, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the US’s first undersea park — allowing you to explore the US’s only living coral reef. Regarded as one of Florida’s best snorkeling spots, this park had to make our list for that aspect alone. Located on the most laidback of the Florida Keys, Key Largo, this state park features 70 nautical square miles of underwater beauty to discover. You can snorkel, swim, kayak or even SCUBA dive your way through the reefs. Want to check out the reef from above the waves? Not a problem – they’ve also got great glass-bottom boat tours! (Sort of like Silver Springs State Park!)
4. Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, Key West
Frequently ranked among the top beaches in the United States, you really just can’t go wrong with a visit to this gem in Key West. It is home to the best beach on the Key. Named after the Union fort from the Civil War, you can explore history while making the most of the tropical retreat Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park has to offer. You can swim, snorkel, fish, and even grab a bite at their beachside café. Or you can just take it easy by renting an umbrella on the beach and enjoying the ocean in shaded comfort.
5. Henderson Beach State Park, Destin
A very popular spot, Henderson Beach State Park is in the heart of Destin, Florida. Henderson Beach is well known for the white dune beach and wooden boardwalk that provides a nice stroll above the sand on a warm summer day. The park also has camping (both tent and RV hook-ups), fishing spots, and plenty of opportunities to look at the local wildlife.
6. Bahia Honda State Park, Bahia Honda Key
Located just north of Key West, be sure to stop by this beautiful little park before you make it to the end of the line. Bahia Honda State Park is best known for exotic bird watching as well as creating a sanctuary for the endangered Miami Blue Butterflies. You can snorkel, swim, kayak, or just enjoy the expansive view of the coastline from the comfort of the white sands. It’s a great camping spot and has cabin rentals available for a rustic night on the water. The park is pet friendly! Bahia Honda State Park is also one of the best RV camping spots in the state.
7. Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin
Want a quieter spot? As its name might suggest, Honeymoon Island State Park is a popular location for Florida locals to get away from the city and spend some time in nature. With great beaches and plenty of nature trails, the park is perfect for a day trip. Located near Tampa, Honeymoon Island State Park is a great spot if you want a nature break.
8. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park , Key Biscayne
Home to the 109-step lighthouse originally built in 1832, Bill Baggs Cape
9. Big Talbot Island State Park, Jacksonville
Big Talbot Island State Park is part of the seven parks that compromise Talbot Islands State Park. This one makes our list because is home to Boneyard Beach, a very fun and slightly spooky natural coastline strewn with the sun and surf bleached driftwood and dead trees scattered across the sand. This unique beach is very striking for photographers and nature-lovers alike! You can also visit the salt marshes on the island or go kayaking. However, if you want to visit primarily for swimming, we recommend checking out Little Talbot Island State Park for more favorable conditions.
10. Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine
St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in the United States. It’s also home to Anastasia State Park, where you can explore 1,600 acres of beaches, tidal marshes, sand dunes, and wildlife preserve all within a short drive from the city. The park is a bird-watchers paradise, home to almost 200 species, and an important location for the migratory patterns of many feathered friends. It also has some of the best surfing on the east coast of Florida!
11. Curry Hammock State Park, Marathon Key
The Florida Keys have some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. They also have plenty of state parks to visit along that 100 mile stretch of highway. This undeveloped park is a quiet place to explore protected Florida ecosystems from the mangrove swamp and rockland hammocks to the seagrass beds. The gentle current and laidback atmosphere make it a perfect place for beginner snorkelers and swimmers.
12. Fort Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach
Another great park with historic ties, Fort Clinch State Park is in the northeastern corner of the state close to the Georgia border. In 1935, the area became one of Florida’s earliest state parks after the fort’s role in three U.S. engagements. Today, you can spend time exploring the historic buildings or enjoy a day of sun, surf, and relaxation. Pack a picnic or plan to camp under the stars at the on-site campground.
Bonus Beach: Dry Tortugas National Park
Sometimes you must go off the beaten park to find a little piece of paradise (and history!). Located off the western coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is accessible only by boat or seaplane. It’s the home of historic Fort Jefferson as well as a playground for camping, snorkeling through beautiful coral reefs, exploring beaches and the surrounding small islands, and enjoying the sun. While this isn’t necessarily a state park (but rather a national one) we had to put this on our list as a bonus because it’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
Well, that’s it for our list! What do you think? What’s your favorite state park for the best beach day ever? Let us know in the comments!
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