While our national parks have plenty to offer, including beautiful beaches everywhere from Olympic National Park to Dry Tortugas National Park, the U.S. is also home to over 6,000 state parks, many of which offer stunning stretches of sand.
Some of these beaches also offer the ultimate in tranquility. When Google Maps recently analyzed data about state parks across the country, they looked at various elements, such as parks where visitors can expect to feel the most calm. Its findings were based on the “most reviews that mention the word ‘calm’ across all time. The park that came out on top? St. Andrews State Park in Florida.
Why St. Andrews State Park?
Just one glimpse and you’ll quickly understand why. But there are reasons for its striking beauty.
The park is located in Panama City Beach, where the beaches are renowned for their 99% pure quartz sand. The result is powdery soft, white sands that stay cool even under the hot sun. The stunning emerald color of the Gulf’s waters lapping the shore results from sunlight reflecting off the bright, white sand.
In St. Andrews State Park, you’ll find a mile-long stretch of these breathtaking sands and emerald waters. If you relax here, you can breathe in the fresh salty sea air and admire the view, instantly melting all stress. While in this blissful state of mind, you can also keep an eye out for the dolphins that often swim by.
If you want to do more than soak up the tranquility, there are footpaths, boardwalks, and two miles of paved biking trails. Avid birders can also watch for a wide range of birds from egrets and herons to the occasional raptor.
More Florida State Parks Make the List
If you’re looking for an alternative in Florida, there are even more state parks that made the list to consider. Ranked in order, it also includes:
- Honeymoon Island State Park – Dunedin: pristine white sands and clear Gulf waters.
- Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park – Key Biscayne: beaches consistently ranked among the country’s most beautiful, with picturesque views of the Cape Florida Lighthouse.
- Bahia Honda State Park – Big Pine Key: palm-lined beaches with access to outstanding swimming and snorkeling in shallow waters with coral reefs nearby.
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park – Key West: one of the top beaches for sunset-watching and snorkeling among rich tropical marine life, located where the Atlantic meets the Gulf of Mexico.
- Sebastian Inlet State Park – Melbourne Beach: over three miles of untouched sands along the Atlantic with calm stretches for swimming and areas for surfing.
