St Andrews State Park

No more worries!
You've reached paradise . . .
St Andrews State Park

Bring the family, bring a large group, bring your sweetheart, bring your friends — St Andrews State Park has ALL your beach activities covered!

How about 1,260 acres with unlimited water activities and dazzling white, sandy beaches? All a part of Panama City Beach, Florida, this protected area provides visitors with great swimming in the warm Gulf waters, whether you prefer shallow swimming for the kiddos or scuba diving for the adults.

TALK ABOUT TONS TO DO! You'll find boat tours from the mainland to Shell Island, which is an oasis in itself! If you happen to tow your own, there's a boat ramp at St Andrews State Park that has of a double-sided, concrete launch to accommodate the smallest to largest water craft.

Maybe you'd like to include a scuba dive or some snorkeling while visiting the park. The Jetties will bring you "up close and personal" to native marine life! Plenty of shoreline is yours for the choosing. Surfing is also a very popular water sport along the shoreline.

Canoeing is a highlight during the summer season. The opportunities are limitless from simply paddling around Grand Lagoon to going across the boat channel to Shell Island!

Any landlubbers among you? Perhaps you'd like to go cycling, picnicking, or venture out on one of the few nature trails! St. Andrew's State Park is home to a diverse habitat, including freshwater and saltwater marshes as well as a great vantage point for spotting gators and a variety of water fowl.

Whoa! There's more?! There's also deep-sea jetty and surf fishing — with two fishing piers and the jetties providing excellent year-round angling.

You won't want to miss the turpentine plantation! At this location, sap was collected from pine trees, heated and strained, then vaporized in a large boiler with a large copper vent on the top. The vent took the vapors to copper coils in a water-cooled still, where it was condensed and collected below the brick foundations of the boiler in wooden barrels.

The barrels were then sealed and rolled up a long set of rails to a wooden platform for transfer to wagons. This product was like maple sap for the syrup you use on your pancakes and waffles! The remains of this facility are available for your viewing — what a great study!

With so many activities within reach at St Andrews State Park, you might decide to take advantage of the full-camping facilities! There are 176 campsites with electric and water hookups, but be sure to make reservations! Youth camping is also available in the primitive camping area reserved for scouts, church groups, and other small, non-profit groups.

Another terrific plus is the availability of three stores in the park that are open from March through Labor Day. These stores provide snacks, souvenirs, bait, fishing licenses, limiter grocery items, and rental of chairs and umbrellas, snorkeling gear, canoes, kayaks, and bicycles!

St Andrews State Park - A perfect destination for everyone!