Anastasia State Park
St. Augustine, FL
Anastasia State Park runs four miles of white quartz sand just across the bridge from historic St. Augustine, backed by dunes that were quarried for coquina rock used to build the Castillo de San Marcos centuries ago. A salt marsh and tidal creek separate the beach from the campground, with a boardwalk trail connecting the two.
Four miles of beach minutes from historic St. Augustine is hard to beat for convenience, though its popularity with day trippers from town means the main access area gets crowded fast in season.
How we score beachesPark at the north end near the nature trail if you want a quieter stretch of sand, most day visitors cluster closer to the main beach access near the entrance. The park closes the same gate at sunset every day of the year, so don't plan on lingering past dusk.
The entrance fee is 8 dollars per vehicle, 4 dollars for a single occupant, 2 dollars for pedestrians and cyclists. There are 350 free parking spots for day visitors, first come, first served.
Boardwalks cross the dunes from the main lots to the beach, mostly flat with some stairs at the dune crossing. The nature trail loop further back is packed sand and boardwalk, an easier walk than the open beach.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the trails and in the campground, but pets aren't allowed on the beach, in buildings, or on boardwalks.
Spring and fall bring the mildest weather for the four mile beach walk, while summer's heat and hurricane season, June through November, make midday visits tougher. St. Augustine's mild winters keep the beach walkable nearly year round, if too cold to swim for some.
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