Amelia Island State Park
Fernandina Beach, FL
Amelia Island State Park sits at the southern tip of the island, one of the only places in Florida where a licensed outfitter will actually take you horseback riding along the open beach. The park itself is a quieter stretch of dune and maritime forest between Fernandina Beach and Little Talbot Island, with salt marsh views on the sound side.
Riding a horse on the open beach is a real, rare experience this far north on Amelia Island, though the park itself is plain enough that most people are there for the ride, not the sand.
How we score beachesBook the horseback ride through Kelly Seahorse Ranch well ahead if that's the draw, the four daily tours fill up faster than the beach itself does. The entrance fee here runs on the honor system with exact change only, so come prepared.
The entrance fee is 2 dollars per person, exact change required at the self-pay station. Parking areas sit near the entrance and at the main beach access points.
Beach access points are a short, flat walk from the nearby parking areas, mostly natural sand paths rather than boardwalk. The park is otherwise undeveloped, so expect uneven ground away from the main trails.
Leashed dogs are welcome elsewhere in the park, including the wetlands and picnic areas, but pets aren't allowed on the beach.
Spring and fall bring the mildest weather for a beach ride or a walk through the maritime forest, while summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, make midday visits tougher. Water temperatures follow the typical northeast Florida Atlantic pattern, coolest in winter.
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