Huguenot Memorial Park
904-251-3335
Google Maps 36 minutes from downtown Jacksonville
Waterfront campsites, a bird observation area, and gorgeous views of some of North Florida's remaining natural areas await visitors to Huguenot Memorial Park.  In addition to the natural beauty of the area, the park also offers swimming, fishing, surfing, a boat launch area, picnic shelters, restrooms, and shower facilities to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. 
Like Kathryn Abby Hanna Park south of the St. Johns River, Huguenot Memorial Park was designated a Great Florida Birding Trail site by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission because of the outstanding habitat and the abundance of various kinds of birds.  The park includes a critical nesting area for terns and shorebirds, and often hosts rarities like bar-tailed godwits.  Birders are likely to spot gannets, loons, and sea ducks.Huguenot Memorial Park is the only park in Duval County that allows beach access by vehicle. The park also has the benefit of being located near many of the area's significant points of interest, including Fort Clinch , the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, Mayport Naval Base, and the Jacksonville Zoo.
Admission fee: $ .50 per person (6 and older)
Huguenot Memorial Park is open daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., April - October and 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., November - March.
Fort George Island Cultural
(904) 251-2320
Google Maps 41 minutes from downtown Jacksonville
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 recently 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 Ribault club for a special event, contact Amelia Occasions at 904-251-1050. Located approximately 16 miles east of downtown Jacksonville on State Road A1A, or three miles south of Little Talbot Island .
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
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier
904-251-2320
Google Maps 42 minutes from downtown Jacksonville
Located northeast of Jacksonville, this mile-long, pedestrian-only fishing bridge spans Nassau Sound providing access to one of the best fishing areas in Florida. Fishermen catch a variety of fish, including whiting, jacks, drum, and tarpon. The fishing bridge is open twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. Primary access is on the north end through Amelia Island . A small parking lot at the north end of Big Talbot Island  allows access to the southern end of the fishing bridge. The Nassau Sound Bait and Tackle shop (904-277-9772), located on the north end of the fishing bridge, is open year-round and offers live bait, snacks, and (more importantly!) some of the best fishing advice in the area. The whole family (no pets) can enjoy a safe, fun day of fishing or give the fish a rest and take a leisurely walk along the beach of Amelia Island . The George Crady Fishing Pier  is located seven miles north of Little Talbot Island  on State Road A1A.
Little Talbot Island
904-251-2320
Google Maps 43 minutes from downtown Jacksonville
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 hours of nature study and relaxation. The diverse habitats in the park host a wealth of wildlife. River otters, marsh rabbits, bobcats, and a variety of native and migrating birds can be seen here. Anglers find excellent fishing in the surf and tidal streams. Bluefish, striped bass, redfish, flounder, mullet, and sheepshead are common catches. Other popular activities are hiking, swimming, canoeing, and surfing. The park has a full-facility campground, as well as a youth/group tent campground. Beachside picnic pavilions are available for visitors to the park. For a guided paddle tour contact Kayak Amelia at (888) 30-KAYAK (305-2925). Kayak Amelia is located 17 miles northeast of Jacksonville on State Road A1A. Advance reservations are required
Big Talbot Island
(904) 251-2320
Google Maps 45 minutes from downtown Jacksonville
Located on one of the sea islands unique to Northeast Florida, this park is primarily a natural preserve and a premier location for nature study, bird watching, or photography. The shoreline is unlike any other in Florida. Centuries of wind and water have eroded the island, creating a 20 foot bluff along the shore. The park´s famous boneyard beach is covered with the skeletons of live oak and cedar trees that once grew near the ocean. A boat ramp provides access for fishing and touring the salt marshes. Visitors can picnic on the bluff overlooking the water, then visit the beach to sunbathe or stroll along the shore. Hikers can walk along one of the park´s two trails and experience the diverse habitats preserved here. Kayak Amelia offers canoe and kayak rentals. 888 -305-2925. Located 20 miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, on State Road A1A North, just north of Little Talbot Island .
Fort Clinch
904-277-7274
Google Maps 50 minutes from downtown Jacksonville
A part of the park system since 1935, Fort Clinch is one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in the country. Although no battles were fought here, it was garrisoned during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps began preserving and rebuilding many of the structures of the abandoned fort. Daily tours with period renactors depicting garrison life bring the fort to life for visitors. Sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing are popular activities at the beach. Anglers can fish from the pier or take advantage of excellent surf fishing. Hikers and bicyclists can enjoy a six-mile trail through the park. Self-guided nature trails provide opportunities to learn about and observe native plants and wildlife. A full-facility campground and a youth camping area provide overnight accommodations. Located north of the city of Fernandina Beach, off State Road A1A.
Amelia Island
904-251-2320
Google Maps 53 minutes from downtown Jacksonville
An easy drive from Jacksonville, the park protects over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness on Amelia Island. Beautiful beaches, salt marshes, and coastal maritime forests provide a glimpse of the original Florida. This park is one of the few locations on the East Coast that offers horseback riding on the beach, a 45-minute riding tour along the shoreline. Fishing is one of the top activities and anglers find the secluded beach a perfect place for surf fishing. Visitors can also stroll along the beach, look for seashells, or watch the wildlife. For horseback tour reservations, contact Kelly Seahorse Ranch at (904) 491-5166. Tours are given four times daily. Amelia Island  is located seven miles north of Little Talbot Island  on State Road A1A, or eight miles south of Fernandina Beach.
Anastasia
904-461-2033
Google Maps 1 hour from downtown Jacksonville
Anastasia  welcomes visitors from all over the world to enjoy the remarkable natural and cultural treasures we steward. At Anastasia you can enjoy camping, nature trails, beach time, water sports, and an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to create the nearby fortress, Castillo de San Marcos.
Anastasia , located just south of historic St. Augustine on Anastasia Island, has a broad beach, a tidal salt marsh, and maritime and upland hammock.
Camping, beachcombing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, windsurfing, hiking, wildlife-viewing, and boating are popular activities. Nature trails meander through the ancient dunes shaded by hammock forests.
The full-facility campground is in a wooded area within easy bicycling or walking distance of the beach.
Island Joe's camp store, rental shop, and tropical grill sells beach sundries, camping and fishing supplies, and rents bicycles, beach chairs, ocean toys, umbrellas, canoes, sailboards, paddleboats and kayaks. Lessons on various water sports are available. Call 904-461-9322 for more information.
Neighboring Park: Fort Mose Historic  Many visitors to Anastasia do not realize that just a short drive north is Fort Mose Historic . (Anastasia administers Fort Mose, pronounced "Mo-say".) Fort Mose was the first free black community in the United States. Fort Mose represents an amazing story of human endurance and the drive for freedom.
Faver-Dykes
904-794-0997
Google Maps 1 hour from downtown Jacksonville
Noted for its pristine condition, this tranquil park borders Pellicer Creek as it winds along Florida's east coast highways down to the Matanzas River. Pellicer Creek is a popular site for birding with more than one hundred bird species seen during spring and fall migrations. Songbirds, including the colorful wood warblers, along with eagles and falcons, return to nest at the park each year. Wading birds, such as egrets, wood storks, white ibis, and herons, feed in the tidal marshes and creeks. This peaceful park is also home to deer, turkeys, hawks, bobcats, and river otters. Fishing, picnicking, and nature walks are popular activities. Pellicer Creek is a designated state canoe trail and visitors can rent canoes at the park. A full-facility campground is available for overnight stays. Located 15 miles south of St. Augustine near the intersection of I-95 and U.S. 1.
Tomoka
386-676-4050
Google Maps 1.5 hours from Jacksonville
Native Americans once dwelled here, living off fish-filled lagoons. Today, these waters are popular for canoeing, boating, and fishing. The park protects a variety of wildlife habitats and endangered species, such as the West Indian manatee. Tomoka is a bird-watcher's paradise, with over 160 species sighted, especially during the spring and fall migrations. Visitors can stroll a one-half mile nature trail through a hardwood hammock that was once an indigo field for an 18th century British landowner. A museum houses artworks by artist Fred Dana Marsh, wildlife displays, Native American artifacts, and exhibits about Florida's history. A boat ramp gives boaters and canoeists access to the river. The Park Store offers snacks, camping supplies, and canoe rentals. Contact 386-673-0022 for more information. For overnight stays, the park has full-facility campsites and youth camping. Located three miles north of Ormond Beach on North Beach Street.
Hontoon Island
386-736-5309
Google Maps 2.25 hours from Jax
This island, located in the St. Johns River in Volusia County, welcomes visitors to enjoy nature and history in quiet solitude. The island is accessible only by private boat or park ferry. Evidence of Native American habitation over thousands of years can be witnessed as visitors hike through the park. Stop in and walk through the impressive visitor center to learn more about the many inhabitants and uses of Hontoon Island over the years. Boating, canoeing, and fishing are popular activities and canoe rentals are available. Picnic areas include tables, grills, and a playground. For overnight stays, the park has rustic cabins an enclosed sleeping space with electricity no heat, air conditioning, bathrooms, or kitchens. Overnight boat slip rentals and a tents only campground are also available. The park's ferry operates daily from 8:00 a.m. to one hour before sunset. Located six miles west of Deland off State Road 44.
Canaveral National Seashore - National Park Service
Google Maps 2.5 hours from Jacksonville
Canaveral National Seashore Mosquito Lagoon map.pdf
Kayaking Canaveral National Seashore
Canaveral National Seashore Canoe Adventures
Mosquito Lagoon PDF
Fish at Mosquito Lagoon PDF
NORTH DISTRICT - A 24-hour boat launch is located west of Parking Area #1.
SOUTH DISTRICT - Eddy Creek Parking Area has a boat launch.
STATE ROAD #3 - A boat launch is located at Beacon 42.
Waccasassa Bay Preserve
3 hours from Jacksonville
352-543-5567
Accessible only by boat, this preserve is a favorite of anglers because it boasts both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Bordering Florida's Gulf Coast between Cedar Key and Yankeetown, extensive salt marshes and tidal creeks create habitats for saltwater fish, crabs, and shellfish. The park's uplands protect a remnant of the Gulf Hammock that once spanned thousands of acres between the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers. Endangered and threatened species-including West Indian manatees, bald eagles, American alligators, and Florida black bears-live or feed within the preserve. Although there aren't any marked foot trails, nature enthusiasts can enjoy wildlife viewing from a canoe. A primitive campsite on the Waccasassa River, accessible only by private boat, is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Boat access is from County Road 40 in Yankeetown, County Road 326 in Gulf Hammock, and Cedar Key. Driving Directions Waccasassa Bay State Preserve extends along the coast between Cedar Key and Yankee Town. Waccasassa Bay Preserve  is only accessible by boat. Boats can be launched from several ramps located outside the preserve. Boat access is from C40 in Yankee Town, C326 in Gulf Hammock, and Cedar Key.
Crystal River Preserve
352-563-0450
Google Maps 3 hours from Jacksonville
A place of exceptional natural beauty, the undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters, and forests of this preserve are especially cherished by nature lovers and photographers. The park borders 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast between the two cities of Yankeetown and Homosassa. Visitors can hike or bicycle along nine miles of trails or study the native wildlife and plants on the two-and-a-half mile interpretive trail. Anglers can walk down a short path to the Mullet Hole for a relaxing afternoon of fishing. Paddlers can launch a kayak or canoe into the waters of the scenic Crystal River to see the park from the water. On the third Saturday of each month, the visitor center features the Redfish Revue Theatre, a video presentation about the park. Located west of U.S. 19 in Crystal River.
St. Sebastian River Preserve
321-953-5004
Google Maps 3.5 hours from Jax
This site preserves open grassy forests of longleaf pine that were once commonplace throughout Florida. The pine flatwoods form a backdrop for other biological communities, including cypress domes, scrubby flatwoods, sandhills, and a beautiful strand swamp. These habitats are home to many native plants and animals, including over 50 protected species. Photographers, bird-watchers, and nature enthusiasts can explore miles of trails on foot, bicycle, or horseback. Canoeing, boating, and fishing on the St. Sebastian River are popular activities. Launching facilities are available outside the preserve at Dale Wimbrow Park and several private ramps along the St. Sebastian River, and a canoe launch north of County Road 512. The visitor center is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The north entrance for the visitor center and Manatee Vista is off Babcock Street (County Road 507) just north of the C-54 Canal. Exit I-95 at County Road 514 to reach County Road 507. The south entrance is off Fellsmere Road (County Road 512) 1.8 miles east of I-95.
Bald Point
850-349-9146
Google Maps 3.75 hours from Jacksonville
Some of the most picturesque scenic areas along north Florida´s Gulf Coast can be found at this park. Located on Alligator Point where Ochlockonee Bay meets Apalachee Bay, Bald Point offers a multitude of land and water activities. Coastal marshes, pine flatwoods, and oak thickets foster a diversity of biological communities that make the park a popular destination for birding and wildlife viewing. Every fall, bald eagles, other migrating raptors, and monarch butterflies are commonly sighted as they head south for the winter. Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. Other activities include canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and hiking. Facilities include a fishing dock and picnic pavilions. Located off U.S. 98, one mile south of Ochlockonee Bay. Take State Road 370 for 3 miles to Bald Point Road.
Sebastian Inlet
321-984-4852
 Google Maps 4 hours from Jax
The premier saltwater fishing spot on Florida's east coast, this park is a favorite for anglers nationwide for catching snook, redfish, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel from its jetties. Surfing is also a popular recreation and several major competitions are held here every year. Two museums provide a history of the area. The McLarty Treasure Museum features the history of the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet; the Sebastian Fishing Museum tells the history of the area's fishing industry. Three miles of beautiful beaches provide opportunities for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, shelling, and sunbathing. Canoeing and kayaking in the Indian River Lagoon are also favorite pastimes. Visitors can relax with a stroll down the mile-long Hammock Trail. Waterfront pavilions and picnic areas are great for family outings. Full-facility campsites and a boat ramp are available. Located on State Road A1A 15 miles south of Melbourne Beach.
Egmont Key
727- 893 - 2627
Google Maps 4 Hours from Jax
Although this park is primarily a wildlife refuge, it can be a personal refuge - a place to relax and collect shells along secluded, pristine beaches. Accessible only by private boat, Egmont Key has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that has stood since 1858. During the 19th century, the island served as a camp for captured Seminoles at the end of the Third Seminole War and was later occupied by the Union Navy during the Civil War. In 1898, as the Spanish - American War threatened, Fort Dade was built on the island and remained active until 1923. After touring the historic sites and trails, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort DeSoto Beach.
Fort De Soto Park
Google Maps 4.5 hours from Jax
727.582.2267
Complementing the park's natural and historic features are:
1. An 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks.
2. A 238-site family camping area with facilities including picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas, and a camp store.
 Two fishing piers--one on Tampa Bay (500 feet long) and the other on the Gulf (1,000 feet long). Each pier has a food and bait concession.  Over 7 miles of waterfront A 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail download brochure