Anastasia State Park

The kayak glides through the calm waters of Salt Run, a great blue heron lifting off from the salt marsh as you pass. Behind you, the sand dunes rise where an endangered beach mouse makes its home. Ahead, four miles of pristine Atlantic beach stretch toward a lighthouse in the distance. And just across the waterway, the ancient coquina walls of Castillo de San Marcos stand as they have for 350 years—built from stone quarried from this very island.

Welcome to Anastasia State Park, a 1,600-acre barrier island preserve just minutes from America’s oldest city. This is where natural Florida meets living history—where you can swim on one of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast, then explore the quarry that supplied stone for Spanish colonial fortifications. Where 200+ bird species draw birders from around the world, and where 139 campsites let you fall asleep to the sound of surf.

Anastasia Island has been shaped by human hands for over 300 years, yet the state park preserves the wild heart of the island: maritime hammock forest, tidal salt marsh, ancient dunes, and that glorious four-mile beach. Whether you come for the surf, the paddling, the history, or simply to escape crowds just a few miles up the coast, Anastasia delivers a complete Florida coastal experience.

What Makes Anastasia Exceptional

The Beach: 4 Miles of Paradise

Anastasia’s Atlantic beach is the main attraction—four miles of white quartz sand that consistently ranks among Florida’s finest. Unlike the crowded commercial beaches nearby, the state park beach offers a more natural experience with minimal development.

Coquina Quarry: Stone of the Ancient City

One of Anastasia’s most significant features is the Coquina Quarry, an archaeological site on the National Register of Historic Places. More than 300 years ago, Spanish colonists quarried coquina stone from this site to build the iconic Castillo de San Marcos—the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States.

What is Coquina?

Coquina is a sedimentary rock composed almost entirely of compressed seashells. It’s unique to this region of Florida and proved remarkably effective for fortification—when British cannonballs struck the walls of Castillo de San Marcos, the soft stone absorbed the impact rather than shattering. The fort still stands today, largely thanks to the properties of Anastasia Island coquina.

Salt Run: Kayaking & Paddling

Salt Run is an estuarine tidal lagoon protected from the Atlantic by the park’s sand dunes. This calm water environment is perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing—and it’s teeming with wildlife.

Birding: 200+ Species

Anastasia State Park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, with over 200 documented bird species. The combination of beach, salt marsh, maritime hammock, and tidal lagoon creates exceptional habitat diversity.

Notable Species

Best Birding Spots

• 🌿 Salt Run: Kayak or observe from shore—waders, shorebirds, dolphins
• 🌳 Ancient Dunes Nature Trail: Hammock birds, painted buntings in spring
• 🏖️ Beach: Shorebirds, terns, pelicans

Trails

Anastasia offers several trails through its diverse ecosystems:

Wildlife Beyond Birds

• 🐬 Dolphins: Common in Salt Run; often seen from kayaks
• 🐢 Sea Turtles: Nest on beaches (loggerhead, green); summer nesting season
• 🐭 Anastasia Island Beach Mouse: Endangered species living in sand dunes
• 🐢 Gopher Tortoise: Found in upland areas; burrows shelter many species
• 🐊 Manatees: Occasionally in Salt Run, especially cooler months

Camping

Anastasia offers 139 campsites in a beautiful maritime hammock setting, just a short walk or bike ride from the beach:

When to Visit

🌸 Spring (March – May)

Excellent. Warm but not hot. Spring break brings crowds but shoulder weeks are perfect. Bird migration brings painted buntings and warblers. Sea turtle nesting begins late in season. Best combination of weather and wildlife.

Best for: Beach, birding, comfortable weather

☀️ Summer (June – August)

Peak beach season. Hot and humid with afternoon thunderstorms. The park reaches capacity on summer weekends—arrive early. Sea turtle nesting active. Swimming and water activities at their best. Afternoon storms usually clear by evening.

Best for: Swimming, beach activities, families

🍂 Fall (September – November)

Excellent. Summer crowds dissipate. Water remains warm into October. Hurricane season (officially through November) can bring weather uncertainty. Fall bird migration brings shorebirds. Often overlooked but one of the best times to visit.

Best for: Fewer crowds, warm water, birding

❄️ Winter (December – February)

Mild by northern standards but cooler for swimming. Excellent for hiking, biking, and paddling. Manatees may appear in warmer waters. Winter shorebirds present. Great time for beach walks without summer heat.

Best for: Hiking, paddling, wildlife, escape from northern winter

Practical Information

Getting There

• 📍 Address: 300 Anastasia Park Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32080
• 📍 From St. Augustine: ~10 minutes via A1A south across Bridge of Lions
• 📍 From Jacksonville: ~45 minutes south via I-95 and A1A
• 📍 From Daytona Beach: ~1 hour north via A1A

Nearby Attractions

• 🏰 Castillo de San Marcos: National Monument built with Anastasia coquina—5 min
• 🏛️ Historic St. Augustine: America’s oldest city—5-10 min
• 🗼 St. Augustine Lighthouse: Historic lighthouse, museum—10 min
• 🌺 Washington Oaks Gardens: Coquina beach + formal gardens—20 min south

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the park fill up?

Yes—especially on summer weekends and holidays. When the park reaches vehicle capacity, it closes to new entries until space opens. Arrive before 10 AM on busy days to guarantee entry.

Can I rent kayaks in the park?

Yes. Anastasia Watersports operates inside the park and rents kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and even sailboats. No need to bring your own equipment.

Is the beach really 4 miles long?

Yes—you can walk four miles of continuous beach within the state park. It’s one of the longest undeveloped beaches in northeast Florida.

What’s the connection to Castillo de San Marcos?

The coquina stone used to build the famous Spanish fort was quarried from Anastasia Island, within what is now the state park. The quarry site is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Are there lifeguards?

Lifeguards are on duty seasonally (typically summer and busy spring weekends). Outside those times, swimming is at your own risk.

Written by

State Parks Team

Editorial Team

The State Parks Team is a group of outdoor enthusiasts, researchers, and travel writers dedicated to showcasing America's state parks. Drawing on collective experience visiting parks in all 50 states, the team creates detailed guides, curated park lists, and practical tips to help visitors make the most of their state park adventures. Our mission: making America's state parks accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

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