Four Miles of Pristine Atlantic Beach Near America's Oldest City
Four Miles of Pristine Atlantic Beach Near America's Oldest City
Across Matanzas Bay from the cobblestone streets of historic St. Augustine, Anastasia State Park stretches 1,600 acres along the Atlantic shore of Anastasia Island. Four miles of wide, uncrowded beach backed by ancient sand dunes and maritime hammock forest separate this park from the packed resort beaches a few miles up the coast. It was named one of America’s prettiest beach campsites by Travel + Leisure and received a Top 10 Florida Beach designation from USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2025. What makes it stand apart is precisely what it has resisted becoming: a developed, amenitized beach corridor. The dunes, tidal marshes, and hammock forest remain intact enough that rare wildlife still thrives here.
The Anastasia Island beach mouse, an endangered species found nowhere else in the world, makes its home in the park’s protected dune system. Roseate spoonbills, osprey, bald eagles, painted buntings, and warblers hunt the tidal margins of Salt Run, the lagoon that separates the island’s interior from the ocean beach. The Ancient Dunes Nature Trail winds through maritime hammock forest growing atop sand dunes that predate Spanish colonial settlement, their age visible in the gnarled live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Coquina stone quarried from Anastasia Island was used to build the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, and the historic quarry sites remain visible within the park.
On the water, Salt Run offers protected paddling through tidal marsh with kayak and canoe rentals available at the park. The Atlantic surf draws surfers and boogie boarders, and the calm, clear waters between the dunes are ideal for swimming. Lifeguards staff designated swimming areas from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Anglers find good catches along the beach and in Salt Run. The park’s 139 campsites are set in the maritime hammock within an easy walk of the beach, offering a camping experience that is simultaneously wild and immediately accessible to America’s oldest city.
Anastasia is a natural anchor for families who want a Florida beach vacation grounded in history and nature rather than resort infrastructure. Children discover horseshoe crabs, ghost crabs, and shorebirds on the beach while parents kayak the lagoon. Multi-generational groups often divide mornings between the beach and the historic district, then gather in the evening at campfire sites or nearby restaurants in St. Augustine. Pet-first travelers should note that leashed pets are allowed in the campground and most park areas but are not permitted on the beach itself; plan accordingly.
The St. Augustine area surrounding the park offers a rich selection of vacation rentals for guests who prefer a full kitchen, hot tub, and multiple bedrooms to a campsite. Waterfront homes along the Intracoastal Waterway, cozy condos on St. Augustine Beach, and larger vacation homes that sleep groups comfortably are all available within a short drive of the park. Many pet-friendly properties are available in the broader St. Augustine Island corridor. Staying nearby allows guests to start mornings at the park and spend evenings in one of the most historically layered cities in the United States. Book your accommodations near Anastasia State Park through Lake.com.
Seasons
Spring’s gentle warmth and blooming wildflowers transform this coastal haven into a vibrant paradise, inviting visitors to explore its pristine beaches, diverse wildlife, and rich history.
Summer’s warm embrace invites visitors to bask on pristine beaches, surf the Atlantic’s inviting waves, and explore shaded trails teeming with diverse wildlife, making June through August the ideal time to experience this coastal haven.
Experience the serene beauty of unspoiled beaches, diverse coastal habitats, and rich history during the fall months, offering ideal conditions for outdoor activities and wildlife observation.
Experience the serene beauty of Florida’s unspoiled beaches and diverse wildlife during the winter months, offering pleasant temperatures and uncrowded trails for exploration.
Top 3 Facts about Anastasia State Park
Anastasia State Park encompasses 1,600 acres of coastal wilderness on Anastasia Island, including four miles of Atlantic Ocean beach backed by ancient sand dunes, tidal salt marsh along Salt Run Lagoon, and maritime hammock forest growing atop dune formations that predate European settlement. The park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and protects habitat for the endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse, a species found nowhere else on Earth.
The coquina stone quarried from Anastasia Island provided the primary building material for the Castillo de San Marcos, the 17th-century Spanish fort in downtown St. Augustine that still stands today. The historic quarry sites are preserved within the park boundaries and provide an interpretive connection between the park’s geology and the founding of the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States.
Salt Run, the tidal lagoon that separates Anastasia Island’s interior from the Atlantic beach, is a productive wildlife corridor and paddling destination accessible by kayak and canoe rentals available within the park. Wading birds including roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, and tricolored herons hunt the marsh edges year-round, while osprey and bald eagles patrol the shoreline. The park’s campground places 139 sites within an easy walk of both the lagoon and the ocean beach.
Travel Tips
Plan Ahead
Day-use visitors pay $8 per vehicle for up to eight people; single-occupant vehicles pay $4. Campsite reservations are strongly recommended and can be made at reserveamerica.com or by calling (800) 326-3521. The park reaches capacity on summer weekends and holiday weekends, particularly during Florida’s winter snowbird season from November through March. Lifeguards staff the beach from Memorial Day through Labor Day only. Pets are permitted in the campground and most park areas but are not allowed on the beach. Check floridastateparks.org/anastasia for current conditions.
Pack Appropriately
Bring high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and UV-protective clothing for beach time; the Florida sun is intense year-round. Water shoes are helpful on the firmer beach sand near the water’s edge. Insect repellent is essential near the lagoon and marsh, particularly from spring through fall. Bring your own shade if planning extended beach time, as the park has limited natural shade near the waterline. Paddlers should bring or rent properly fitting personal flotation devices for kayaking on Salt Run.
Respect Wildlife
The endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse nests in the dune system; do not disturb dune vegetation, stay on marked dune crossings, and never approach or attempt to feed any wildlife. Nesting shorebirds including the least tern may be present on the beach from spring through summer; observe posted closures around nesting areas. Do not feed alligators that may be present in Salt Run and surrounding freshwater areas. Keep leashed pets under control in campground areas and well away from wildlife.
Stay Informed
Check floridastateparks.org/anastasia for current beach, campground, and facility conditions before visiting. Hurricane and tropical storm activity can cause park closures from June through November; monitor Florida State Parks social media and official advisories during storm season. Beach swimming should always be approached with caution; rip currents can occur, and no lifeguards are on duty outside the Memorial Day to Labor Day period. For park emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency park information, call (904) 461-2000.
- Annual visitors
- 200 000
Accessibility & permits
Emergency
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