Rustic and diverse State Park a favorite for summertime scalloping
At the north end of the 17-mile St. Joseph Peninsula, just past Cape San Blas, you will find a unique Florida State Park with 6 miles of pristine beaches nestled along enormous sand dunes.
Properly known as the T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, this are of the Florida Panhandle is considered part of the “Forgotten Coast.”
Perfect exploring for the nature lover, as you will experience three nature trails and a wilderness preserve to explore. There are10 unique plant communities, including hammocks, pine woods, and lowland marsh areas. As a coastal barrier peninsula, St. Joseph provides excellent opportunities for bird watching with more than 240 species sighted in the park.
A boat ramp is located at Eagle Harbor on the bay side, and provides an excellent launching area for boats, kayaks and canoes.
The bay is also a popular snorkeling area as the grassy areas are the perfect habitat for turtle watching, as the area is home to a green turtle rookery.
The Gulf side of the park is home to one of the largest loggerhead nesting areas in the county with 130-150 nesting turtles per year.
July 1 to September 10 it is scallop season, and the park is usually booked up well in advance with snorkelers diving for the sweet seafood.
Campers may stay in a full-facility campground with 120 sites, or at primitive campsites in the wilderness preserve, all providing a short walk to the beach,. Eight cabins on the bay side offer alternative overnight accommodations.
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For Information about T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, please call 850/227-1327.
Hours of Operation
8:00 a.m. to sunset
Driving Directions
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is located near Port St. Joe. On US 98 (heading East) turn onto SR30-A, travel to SR30-E, 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.
Park Fees
Admission Fees $6.00 per vehicle
Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit Admission Fee $1.00
Cabin Fee
$100.00 plus tax
Camping Fee
$24.00 plus tax
Picnic Pavilion Fees
A 70-seat pavilion is available for rent at the Bayview picnic area, $35 (plus tax) per day. Water and electric are available. The pavilion overlooks St. Joseph Bay. Bathrooms, a nature trail and playground are conveniently located close by. Access to the Gulf Beach is approximately 1 mile south of the pavilion. For availability and reservations, please contact the park office.
8899 Cape San Blas Road
Port St. Joe, Florida 32456
Phone: 850/227-1327
Fax: 850/227-1488
For more information about the park, CLICK HERE
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park from Walton Outdoors on Vimeo.
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