Relaxing on the Beach at Anastasia State Park

We spent a relaxing weekend at beautiful Anastasia State Park in Florida. The park is located in historic St. Augustine and has been on our bucket list for a long time. We finally got to experience why it so loved by campers and beach goers.

Camping

The campsites at the state park are cozy, meaning they can be a bit tight to back your camper into. Check the warnings on camper size when reserving a site. If the reservation tells you there is an issue, believe it.

All campsites come with a fire pit, picnic table, water and electric. There is a dump station nearby. Restrooms are conveniently located in each camping loop.

The campground offers well shaded campsites with a bit of foliage between you and your neighbors to offer a bit of privacy. The campsites are packed sand, but the roads are paved. Perfect for riding your bike around.

Pets are welcomed in the campground and on the hiking trails, but not on the beach. Keep all dogs on a leash and clean up after your pet.

Beach

I am having a hard time putting into words on how beautiful this beach is. It is pure magic. I could see dolphins out in the ocean as my kids jumped the ocean waves.

Don’t forget the sunscreen and beach umbrellas. But if a giant wave takes your kid’s googles out to sea check out Island Beach Shop and Grill for a replacement or a quick snack.

My boys loved going to the beach just before sunset. The beach was close to deserted, and the sun wasn’t beating down on them. They said it was the perfect time to go.

Another advantage to going at night was seeing a full moon rise over the ocean.

Not matter what time you go to the beach, it’s a perfect time to relax and enjoy the ocean views, and maybe make a friend or two.

The beach is close to the campground, so you could ride your bike, but we drove. We had a lot of beach gear and it was hot. There is a nice parking area right next to the beach walkways.

Hiking and Water Sports

Check out Anastasia Watersports for kayak, paddle board and sailboats rentals. We didn’t get a chance to kayak on this camping trip, but did stop in to investigate. We could see dolphins in the waterway alongside the kayakers.

Next take a relaxing hike on the Ancient Sand Dunes Trail. Don’t forget the bug spray! The mosquitoes are brutal.

St. Augustine

If time permits take a trip to the historic district of St. Augustine. My favorite place to visit is Castillo De San Marcos National Monument. It is well worth the trip. I would recommend parking at the parking garage, a short ten minute walk away from the fort, instead of trying to find a parking spot right next to it.

There are many types of tours available in St. Augustine and many sites to visit. You can find more information on St. Augustine here. You never know what interesting things you will find while exploring this historic city.

Anastasia State Park

The memories we made at Anastasia State Park as a family will last a lifetime. This is truly a special place to visit and I can now see why it is so hard to get a camping reservation. If you would like more information on the state park visit their website here. This also the site to find information on camping and reservations. To explore other Florida State Parks we have visited click here. Happy Camping!