A Florida Local’s Guide to the Best State Parks With Beaches

As a Florida resident, I know many people who have annual passes for the state’s popular theme parks. Personally though, I’m more into state parks than I am theme parks. As more of a nature and beach enthusiast, I feel that’s been the best investment for me. Florida has almost 200 state parks, and each one is unique in its own way. In a state that’s surrounded by beautiful beaches, we’re also lucky to have many state parks with beaches. Having an annual pass has given me a chance to explore many parks, and these are my top picks of Florida State Parks with beaches that you need to visit.   

St. Andrews State Park is one of the most calming state parks in the country. Campsites are available, but if you’re looking for something a little different, there’s also glamping tents you can rent. The park has over 1.5 miles of pristine coast, but this is also where you can catch the ferry to Shell Island where you can explore the undeveloped 7-mile island. 

Located in one of the best beach towns in Florida’s panhandle, Grayton Beach State Park has a mile of white sand and tranquil, emerald waters. You can bring your RV or a tent and stay for a few days, but if you prefer to have more amenities, you’ll be pleased to know that this park also has 30 cabins that can each accommodate up to six people. 

Positioned on a barrier island near Apalachicola Bay, this state park boasts nine miles of sugary sand and sparkling water. It’s also one of the best beaches for stargazing. There’s an observation platform where you can hang out to view all of the planetary wonders. With the park’s dark skies, you can see the Milky Way and an array of constellations. 

Honeymoon Island is one of the most-visited state parks. The beach is about four miles long and even includes a designated pet beach where your fur baby can enjoy splashing around in the calm waves. This one also serves as a jumping-off point for one of my favorite Florida State Parks: Caladesi Island. 

You can take your own boat to this secluded island, and you can even camp out there on your boat overnight, though reservations are needed. However, most people just hop on the Caladesi Island Ferry that departs from Honeymoon Island State Park. It’s just a short boat ride, but when you get there, you’ll feel like you’re a million miles away as you lay on this island beach. 

This state park can be found at the southern end of Manasota Key on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The 1-mile beach is a great place to soak up the sun and play in the calm Gulf water, but keep an eye on the ground as you’re walking along the shore—it’s not uncommon to see shark teeth that have washed ashore. 

The 2.5-mile-long beach at Lovers Key State Park is picturesque and offers a serene place for those looking for a Florida beach with pretty white sand and calm, blue water. Positioned along the shores of the Gulf Coast are three unique beach areas—and you should totally check out all of them when you visit. They also have a great visitors center with exhibits that teach you about the barrier islands where the park is located. 

This state park has 1.25 miles of natural coastline, and you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas there to make your day on the beach more comfortable. There’s another special thing that sets this park apart, though. While you’re there though, you have to check out one of the park’s main attractions: the Cape Florida Light. Take a tour of the lighthouse that was built in 1825 and get some really scenic views. 

The park is located between two of Florida’s most popular East Coast beach towns: Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. The beach there also comes with an interesting history, as it was once the county’s designated “colored beach.” Civil Rights leaders led “wade-in” protests to fight for desegregation of the beaches in the 1950s and 1960s, and the two-mile beach is now enjoyed by all. There are also kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals available, and you can take a leisurely paddle down Whiskey Creek to the Dania Beach pier. 

Palm Beach may typically be a busier area, but this park offers a chance to see its more natural side. Here you’ll have access to about two miles of beach where you can lounge in the sand or splash around in the water. There’s also a really interesting nature center where you can see an aquarium and several exhibits that explain some of the flora and fauna that can be found at the park. 

Melbourne Beach is a great place to see sea turtles, but it’s also home to one of Florida’s most interesting state parks that has about three miles of coastline alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Anglers love fishing from the two jetties within Sebastian Inlet State Park—both are also ADA accessible. If you want to take a boat out, there’s also a boat launch on site. Surfers love this beach too. There are good breaks near the north jetty and on the south side of Sebastian Inlet. If you’re just looking to play in the water though, check out the cove on the north side of Sebastian Inlet—that area has a hard bottom and doesn’t have rough water. 

Although this park is located in America’s oldest city, once you enter through the gates, you’ll feel a totally different vibe than the historic downtown area St. Augustine is most known for. There are four miles of beautiful, natural beaches, and surfers also enjoy coming to this beach to catch waves. If you’re hoping to stay a few days, you’re in luck—there’s also an on-site campground. 

This is the first undersea park in the United States, and it has so much to see. By just hanging out on the beach, you can grab your snorkeling equipment and go about 100 feet offshore to see what remains from a Spanish shipwreck. If you want to go further off shore, there are scuba and snorkeling tours. If you want to see the only coral reef system in the continental United States, you can even do that without getting wet, as there are also glass-bottom boats that will take you out to see under the sea. 

There are three beaches in the park, and you can snorkel right from shore. However, I especially like hopping on one of the boat tours that will take you to Looe Key where you can see Elkhorn and Star coral. I’ve also seen a huge variety of fish in that area when snorkeling—including some huge Goliath Grouper that hung out under our snorkel boat. There’s a campground there at the park, as well as a few onsite cabins. 

In my opinion, Fort Zachary Taylor State Park has the best beach in Key West. It’s not a big beach, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in quality. You can snorkel right off of the shore, and there are chairs and umbrellas set up on the beach that you can reserve. One of the biggest draws of this park though is the Civil War fort that you can tour. 

These are just a few of the Florida state parks that have beaches. The state has so many parks where you can find natural beaches, and no matter what region of the state you’re visiting, you’ll find some great options. Most state parks in Florida have an admission charge, but it’s usually just a few dollars. If you plan to visit several though, you may find it beneficial to get an annual pass like I have. Whichever park you choose though, you won’t be disappointed. Many of them also offer amenities such as beach-friendly wheelchairs that allow everyone to enjoy some of Florida’s prettiest beaches.