🏆 Official Guide: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach — 144 acres pinched between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal on scenic A1A, with beachfront and riverside camping and a half-mile of quiet shore.
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area packs a full Florida beach vacation into 144 acres straddling scenic Highway A1A at Flagler Beach — Atlantic surf on one side, the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. Its half-mile of undeveloped beach and 68 campsites — 34 up on the primary dune, 34 tucked along the river — make it one of the most sought-after oceanfront campgrounds on Florida’s east coast.
The park carries two Florida legends in its name: railroad builder Henry Flagler and folk singer Gamble Rogers, who died here in October 1991 trying to rescue a struggling swimmer despite his own failing health — an act of courage the park now memorializes. As a Florida state park it charges a small day-use fee; children under six enter free.
What Makes This Park Unique
Ocean-to-River in 144 Acres
Camp on the Atlantic dune or the Intracoastal shore — few Florida parks let you choose surf or river from the same campground.
68 Full-Amenity Sites
Every campsite has water, electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring — 34 oceanside, 34 riverside.
Sea Turtle Beach
From late spring into fall, loggerhead and green turtles nest on the park’s quiet stretch of sand.
A Folk Legend’s Memorial
Named for Florida troubadour Gamble Rogers, honored for his fatal 1991 attempt to save a swimmer here — celebrated each year at the Gamble Jam.
Things to Do
Beach & surf: A half-mile of low-key Atlantic beach is ideal for swimming, shelling, and surf fishing away from the resort crowds.
Boating & paddling: A boat ramp gives direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway for fishing, kayaking, and cruising.
Birding: The park sits on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail — scan the dunes and river edge for shorebirds and wading birds.
Camping
The 68 sites split evenly between the oceanfront dune and the riverside, all with water and electric hookups. Oceanfront sites are gold — book the moment your window opens through ReserveFlorida (11 months ahead).
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $5/vehicle (2–8 people); pedestrians/cyclists $2 (as of July 2026) |
| Size | 144 acres; ~0.5-mile beach |
| Camping | 68 sites (34 oceanfront, 34 riverside), water & electric |
| Location | 3100 S. Ocean Shore Blvd (A1A), Flagler Beach, FL 32136 (Flagler County) |
| Official Info | Florida State Parks – Gamble Rogers |
Getting There
The park entrance is on A1A about three miles south of Flagler Beach’s pier. From I-95, take the SR-100 exit east to A1A, then south — roughly 30 minutes from Daytona Beach or an hour from St. Augustine.
Nearby Parks Worth Combining
Pair Gamble Rogers with the sugar-mill ruins and hammock trails of Bulow Plantation Ruins just inland. The Florida state parks guide has the full picture, including the whole Atlantic coast lineup.
Facts verified against the Florida Park Service and public records, July 2026. Fees, camping rules, and turtle-season closures are set by the Florida Park Service — check the official park page before your trip.
Park Location
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