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Florida State Parks Near Amelia Island

Big Talbot Island State Park

Big Talbot State Park

Located on one of Northeast Florida’s unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island State Park is primarily a natural preserve providing a premier location for nature study, bird-watching, and photography. Explore the diverse island habitats by hiking Blackrock Trail to the shoreline, Big Pine Trail to the marsh or Old Kings Highway and Jones Cut through the maritime forest.

Launch a boat from the north end of the island to fish and tour the salt marsh or rent a kayak and take a guided paddle tour with Kayak Amelia, (888) 30-KAYAK (305-2925). Kayak tours require advanced reservation.

Visit The Bluffs and enjoy a picnic at one of the pavilions overlooking the water or take a quick stroll down the trail to Boneyard Beach. The unique beach is famous for the salt-washed skeletons of live oak and cedar trees that once grew near the shore.

Park Activities

  • Beaches
  • Bicycling
  • Boat Ramp
  • Boating
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Hiking/Nature Trail
  • Pets
  • Picnicking
  • Wildlife Viewing

Little Talbot Island State Park

Little Talbot State Park

 

With more than five miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches, Little Talbot Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida. Maritime forests, desert-like dunes and undisturbed salt marshes on the western side of the island allow for hours of nature study and relaxation. The diverse habitats in the park host a wealth of wildlife for viewing, including river otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats and a variety of native and migratory birds.

Surrounding surf and tidal streams present excellent fishing for bluefish, striped bass, redfish, flounder, mullet and sheepshead. Other popular park activities include hiking, kayaking, beachcombing, surfing and picnicking. Beachside picnic pavilions are available for use by park visitors and can be reserved in advance for a fee. A full-facility campground is located along the eastern salt marshes of Myrtle Creek. Kayak rentals, guided paddle tours and Segway tours are available.

Park Activities

  • Beaches
  • Bicycling
  • Camping
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Hiking/Nature Trail
  • Pets
  • Picnicking
  • Surfing
  • Touring
  • Wildlife Viewing

Fort George Island

Fort George Island

 

Native Americans feasted here, colonists built a fort, and the Smart Set of the 1920s came for vacations. A site of human occupation for over 5,000 years, Fort George Island was named for a 1736 fort built to defend the southern flank of Georgia when it was a colony. Today’s visitors come for boating, fishing, off-road bicycling, and hiking. A key attraction is the restored Ribault Club. Once an exclusive resort, it is now a visitor center with meeting space available for special functions. Behind the club, small boats, canoes, and kayaks can be launched on the tidal waters.

To reserve the Club for a special event, contact The Ribault Club at 904-251-1050.

For an eco-friendly experience you won’t soon forget, sign up for a guided tour of Fort George Island on a cross terrain Segway with Ecomotion Tours. This 2 hour tour departs from the historic Ribault Club and visits the Kingsley Plantation while traveling along more than 3 miles of maritime forest, abundant with plant and animal life. No experience necessary, but advance reservations are required so please call 904-251-9477 for more information.

Park Activities

  • Bicycling
  • Boat Ramp
  • Canoeing/Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Hiking/Nature Trail
  • Pets
  • Touring
  • Visitor Center

Fort Clinch State Park

Fort Clinch State Park

 

Fort Clinch State Park offers picnicking, camping (904-277-7274) shelling, saltwater fishing, hiking nature study as well as other interpretive programs. View the Fort Clinch Video

The history of Fort Clinch comes to life as park ranger, dressed in Union uniforms, carry out the daily chores of the 1864 garrison soldier. Visitor can observe them maintaining the fort, cooking meals and performing sentry duty, among other tasks.

Special full-garrison re-enactments by Union re-enactors occur annually in May and in October by Confederate re-enactors. Candle light tours of the fort can be arranged at the ranger station; reservation are required. The visitor center houses exhibits explaining the history of the fort.

The natural history of the park can be discovered on the nature trail that winds through a coastal hammock and around a man-made pond. Alligators, wading birds, and many small animals may be seen along the trail. Huge sand dunes occur along the east side of the park, and a coastal hardwood hammock is found along the west side. The Atlantic beach, Cumberland Sound and salt marsh offer additional natural features and diversity for those interested in enjoying the real & natural Florida.

For more information contact Fort Clinch State Park 2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach Fl. 30234 (904)-277-7274


Information collected from the Florida State Parks Website

Big Talbot Island State Park

Located on one of Northeast Florida's unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island State Park is primarily a natural preserve providing a premier location for nature study, bird-watching, and photography. Explore the diverse island habitats by hiking Blackrock Trail to the shoreline, Big Pine Trail to the marsh or Old Kings Highway and Jones Cut through the maritime forest.

Launch a boat from the north end of the island to fish and tour the salt marsh or rent a kayak and take a guided paddle tour with Kayak Amelia, (888) 30-KAYAK (305-2925). Kayak tours require advanced reservation.

Visit The Bluffs and enjoy a picnic at one of the pavilions overlooking the water or take a quick stroll down the trail to Boneyard Beach. The unique beach is famous for the salt-washed skeletons of live oak and cedar trees that once grew near the shore.

Little Talbot Island State Park

With more than five miles of beautiful, white sandy beaches, Little Talbot Island is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida. Maritime forests, desert-like dunes and undisturbed salt marshes on the western side of the island allow for hours of nature study and relaxation. The diverse habitats in the park host a wealth of wildlife for viewing, including river otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats and a variety of native and migratory birds.

Surrounding surf and tidal streams present excellent fishing for bluefish, striped bass, redfish, flounder, mullet and sheepshead. Other popular park activities include hiking, kayaking, beachcombing, surfing and picnicking. Beachside picnic pavilions are available for use by park visitors and can be reserved in advance for a fee. A full-facility campground is located along the eastern salt marshes of Myrtle Creek. Kayak rentals, guided paddle tours and Segway tours are available.

Fort George Island

Native Americans feasted here, colonists built a fort, and the Smart Set of the 1920s came for vacations. A site of human occupation for over 5,000 years, Fort George Island was named for a 1736 fort built to defend the southern flank of Georgia when it was a colony. Today's visitors come for boating, fishing, off-road bicycling, and hiking. A key attraction is the restored Ribault Club. Once an exclusive resort, it is now a visitor center with meeting space available for special functions. Behind the club, small boats, canoes, and kayaks can be launched on the tidal waters.

To reserve the Club for a special event, contact The Ribault Club at 904-251-1050.

For an eco-friendly experience you won't soon forget, sign up for a guided tour of Fort George Island on a cross terrain Segway with Ecomotion Tours. This 2 hour tour departs from the historic Ribault Club and visits the Kingsley Plantation while traveling along more than 3 miles of maritime forest, abundant with plant and animal life. No experience necessary, but advance reservations are required so please call 904-251-9477 for more information.

Fort Clinch State Park

Fort Clinch State Park offers picnicking, camping (904-277-7274) shelling, saltwater fishing, hiking nature study as well as other interpretive programs. View the Fort Clinch Video

The history of Fort Clinch comes to life as park ranger, dressed in Union uniforms, carry out the daily chores of the 1864 garrison soldier. Visitor can observe them maintaining the fort, cooking meals and performing sentry duty, among other tasks.

Special full-garrison re-enactments by Union re-enactors occur annually in May and in October by Confederate re-enactors. Candle light tours of the fort can be arranged at the ranger station; reservation are required. The visitor center houses exhibits explaining the history of the fort.

The natural history of the park can be discovered on the nature trail that winds through a coastal hammock and around a man-made pond. Alligators, wading birds, and many small animals may be seen along the trail. Huge sand dunes occur along the east side of the park, and a coastal hardwood hammock is found along the west side. The Atlantic beach, Cumberland Sound and salt marsh offer additional natural features and diversity for those interested in enjoying the real & natural Florida.

For more information contact Fort Clinch State Park 2601 Atlantic Ave., Fernandina Beach Fl. 30234 (904)-277-7274