fbpx

Blog

Anastasia State Park

Destinations

Sunrise over the dunes. Photo credit floridastateparks.org.

Anastasia State Park is located near the historic downtown Saint Augustine, Florida and is one of the most awesome places for RV camping as well as tent camping. It features nature trails, kayaking, swimming sunbathing, fishing and much more. Outdoor activities abound in this 1600 acre fun-filled slice of paradise.

Beach

Four miles of beautiful white sandy beaches provide the visitor with enough outdoor activities to satisfy the most ardent beach enthusiast. Enjoy viewing the beautiful dunes, wildflowers, birds and butterflies, which proliferate on this beautiful shore. The beach is also considered a reserve for turtles. Surf the waves, swim in the temperate waters, sunbathe, try sailing, sailboarding or paddle boarding, or enjoy the nature trails that curl through shaded ridges.

Photo credit floridastateparks.org.

Shimmering in the sun, this pristine beach offers an array of activities as well as the perfect spot to witness stunning sunrises and sunsets. For visitors who want to try their hand at kayaking or paddle boarding, there is a lagoon area just before you get to the beach where you can rent whatever equipment you need. The area is especially appealing to beginners because of the calm waters.

Nice boardwalks and special mats on which to walk, instead of trudging through the sand, provide easy access to and from the beach, where lifeguards are stationed for your safety. Enjoy ceaseless hours of fun taking in the sun and surf as well as the forest of ancient oak trees.

Day Tripping

The boardwalk. Photo credit floridastateparks.org.

You cannot spend time camping at Anastasia State Park without a day trip to historic St. Augustine for a taste of old-world charm, art, and culinary delights. Brave adventurers can take advantage of one of the many Ghost Hunting Tours that highlight the rich history of the area.

In addition to ghosts, history buffs will enjoy experiencing the oldest wooden school in the United States to see what school was like in the 1700s. Afterwards, tour Ponce De Leon’s Fountain of Youth and drink from the Spring of Eternal Hope.

See the oldest house, made from coquina, which dates back to the 1700s. The exterior of the Old Jail may deceive you with its pink color and front porch, but you will be taken aback by the frontier-period jail inside. See the cell blocks and the Sheriff’s quarters. For a real quickening of the heart and a reminder of the “old West,” view the gallows, located behind the jail.

Also built of coquina is the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort, sitting on 20 acres. Hear the history behind the strategic use of coquina as the building material.

Amble down Aviles Street, the oldest street in the United States, and observe the Spanish Military Hospital Museum for a 40-minute guided tour that will reveal the medicines and surgical techniques used in the early days of our country’s history. Continue onward for antique shops, bookstores, art galleries, and souvenirs to commemorate this unforgettable excursion.

If you have reserved a camp site in the park, you will want to delight in the culinary flavors of St. Augustine before returning to camp. After a full day of touring, you will probably be ready for a relaxing meal. From simple cafes to gourmet establishments, the flavors, sights and sounds of this historic city makes it a culinary endpoint as well as an historic destination.

All of these wonders will be remembered as a magical time in one of the most scenic parks in the country.

Camping

For the perfect camping experience, Anastasia State Park has sites for tents and RVs. It has a bounty of shade trees for that back-to-nature feel. 43 sites are devoted to tent only camping, while 80 other sites are available for tents and RVs up to 40′ in length.

Camp site in a maritime hammock. Photo credit floridastateparks.org.

Each shady campsite has a grill, picnic table, water, and a fire ring. Electricity is available at 104 of the sites, but none have sewer hookups. Natural enclosures assure privacy for each campsite, but it is also the reason for the variances in the sizes of each site. If you have a large motorhome, you may want to check with the Ranger Station in advance to determine whether it can be accommodated. Reservations are required for all sites. Pets are required to be leashed or contained at all times, and you must show proof of vaccination against rabies.

Anastasia State Park dunes

In addition to camping and beaching facilities, you may also enjoy day use of the park, where you can picnic and hike along the self-guided nature trails.

The Old Spanish Quarries of Anastasia State Park.

The Coquina Quarries, located at the Park entrance, provide a delightful hike for the young-at-heart. This historic site is a national historic landmark; you are not allowed to take anything from it.

For more information, visit Floridastateparks.org or call 904.461.2033. Reservations for the campground can be made online at their reservation site, Reserve America.

Translate »