Best Things to Do in St. Augustine: Anastasia State Park

By VacationIdea Staff on July 27, 2022 - Updated

Sean Board/stock.adobe.com

Florida is well known all over the globe for its sunny weather and amazing family attractions like the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios theme parks. It's a haven for family vacations and sunny summer getaways, a state filled with life, adventure, beautiful beaches and amazing wildlife.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Overview

Nicknamed the Sunshine State, Florida draws in literally millions of tourists from all around each and every year, with many of those tourists visiting the big attractions like the Disney parks and the world class beaches in areas like Clearwater and Miami.

However, there's much more to Florida than its most famous locations. The Sunshine State is home to countless hidden gems, and Anastasia State Park, a beautiful coastal park near St Augustine, is most definitely one of them.

2.Anastasia State Park - Florida State Park for Camping and Family Vacations

Anastasia State Park is a beautiful state park located on Anastasia Island; a barrier island located just east of the popular coastal city of St Augustine. Anastasia State Park stretches out to cover around 1,600 acres of land in total and is made up of various scenery and landscapes, including marshes, hammock lands, and white sand beaches.

Despite attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, Anastasia State Park is still considered an overlooked treasure by Florida standards, and it's a wonderful place for people of all ages to come together and enjoyed a multitude of activities from swimming and sunbathing to wildlife watching, surfing, kayaking, and hiking.

3.Here’s all you need to know about visiting Anastasia State Park

- Park Amenities - Visitors to Anastasia State Park will be pleasantly surprised by the amenities located around the area for all to enjoy. You'll find various parking areas, as well as designated picnic zones with tables and restrooms. There are three different play areas for young visitors too, as well as laundry facilities and showers for those who plan on staying over at the park. Those who start to feel hungry or thirsty can grab something to eat or drink from the Island Beach Shop and Grill, which also offers speedy Wi-Fi for all diners, and there's a gift shop and watersports equipment rental location too.

- Important Information for Visitors - Anastasia State Park is open every single day of the year. It opens up at 8 in the morning and remains open and accessible to all until the sun goes down in the evenings. It is possible to arrive at the park after hours if you plan on staying over, but this will need to be arranged with the park staff in advance. Visitors to the park will need to pay entry fees of $8 for vehicles, $4 for single-occupant vehicles, or $2 for pedestrians and cyclists.

- Camping at Anastasia State Park - Anastasia State Park is one of the best camp sites in Florida and one of the most popular camping locations in the St Augustine area. Camping is very reasonable here, with close to 140 individual campsites available for just $28 per night. This fee includes access to water and electricity, and you'll also be able to make free use of the various amenities and facilities at the campground like restrooms, showers, and more. Both RV and tent campers are welcome at Anastasia State Park, with RV sites for motorhomes up to 40 feet in length. Reservations can be made with ease online or over the phone at 1 800 326 3521. All of the campsites are situated in the maritime hammock area of the park, only a short walk over to the beach, and you'll find picnic tables, fire rings, and grills at each site.

4.More Information

- Beaches at Anastasia State Park - Visitors to Anastasia State Park will find no less than four miles of untouched, white sand beaches and warm waters just waiting to be enjoyed. The beaches are fully open all year long and there's a designated swimming area with an on-duty lifeguard from Memorial Day through to Labor Day of each year. The beach is a wonderful place for all kinds of activities, from swimming and sunbathing to beachcombing for shells and driftwood, walking hand in hand with a special someone, watching the sun go down in the evenings, and surfing.

- Other Things to Do At Anastasia State Park - As well as the beaches and campsites, visitors to this Florida state park will find plenty of hiking and nature trails to follow, especially around the maritime hammock areas. The trails are quite flat, so can be enjoyed by all, and the park is also located on The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, so this is a wonderful place to do some birdwatching, with the likes of great blue heron and roseate spoonbill being spotted often. If you'd like to head out on the water, boating, fishing, kayaking, and similar activities have proven very popular at Anastasia State Park in the past.

In short, Anastasia State Park is one of the top state parks in Florida. With 1,600 acres of beautiful, pristine land waiting to be explored, it’s a wonderful place for nature enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and wildlife spotters to come and have fun. The park can even be used as a beautiful wedding location, with areas of the beach and hammock perfect for wedding day photoshoots and celebrations. If you’re looking for a beautiful state park in Florida to visit with family and friends, look no further than Anastasia State Park.

Best Things to Do in St. Augustine: Anastasia State Park

Overview, Photo: gadzius/stock.adobe.com
Anastasia State Park - Florida State Park for Camping and Family Vacations, Photo: gadzius/stock.adobe.com
Here’s all you need to know about visiting Anastasia State Park, Photo: Sean Board/stock.adobe.com
More Information, Photo: gadzius/stock.adobe.com
Cover Photo: Sean Board/stock.adobe.com

More Ideas: Fort Matanzas

Located on Florida’s coast, Fort Matanzas is situated south of beautiful St Augustine. Accessible by ferry, groups will enjoy Fort Matanzas’ historic tours, nature trails, and picturesque picnic area. Constructed in 1742, Fort Matanzas was a Spanish fort that was meant to protect Saint Augustine from attacks by British forces.

History

The fort endured sieges, renovations, and fire by cannons, but by 1821, the fort was abandoned and no longer livable. It was acquired by the United States, but never used as a military fort again.

At the start of the twentieth-century, however, the U.S. Department of War began renovating Fort Matanzas. In 1924, it gained its status as a National Monument, and in 1966, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the grounds and fort are maintained by the National Parks Service, providing visitors with a chance to discover Florida’s history.

Permanent Attractions

The permanent attractions at Fort Matanzas National Monument offer something for everyone. They are split between Fort Matanzas itself and the natural environment of the grounds.

Fort Matanzas – This Spanish-built, eighteenth-century fort is the park’s main attraction. Guests can experience the historic wonder of the fort with a park ranger who will guide them through the building. Fort Matanzas is also the site of reenactments of events from history. This is also where musket demonstrations occur.

Nature Trails – Fort Matanzas is located within a beautiful natural environment. Guests can walk along the beach, fish, or eat packed lunches, surrounded by the beauty of forests, sand, and water. Fort Matanzas and its grounds are also home to a wide range of birds, reptiles, and amphibians that enhance visitors’ connection with nature.

Educational Opportunities

As an important location in United States history, Fort Matanzas is committed to educating its visitors about the history of the fort.

Field Trips - Fort Matanzas welcomes school groups of up to 36 people. The typical field trip tour includes a ranger-guided tour of the fort, which can be supplemented by teacher-led programming. Groups also receive access to the nature trail and picnic areas around the fort. Fort Matanzas’ website also includes educational resources for teachers, such as a scavenger hunt lesson plan. Educators are welcome to plan their own program for their students, but a park ranger must accompany all groups during their time in the fort. Reservations must be made in advance by phone.

Matanzas Critter of the Month – Each month, Fort Matanzas designates an animal that is native to the area as its Critter of the Month. At the park, as well as on their website, Fort Matanzas personnel provide information about the specific animal, its habitat, whether it’s endangered, and its evolutionary history. This program helps the public know more about the creatures that live in Fort Matanzas and provides them with practical advice about how to best protect those creatures.

Fort Matanzas also offers educational courses for other types of groups, such as adult learners, Scout groups, or church groups. If groups are smaller than ten people, they should take the general tour. The park requests advance notice if visitors would like a customized presentation.

Special Events

There are a variety of special events hosted by Fort Matanzas throughout the year. These events tend to fall into two categories: history programs and nature programs.

History Programs - Throughout the year, park personnel explore the facets of colonial life. Re-enactors use and explain the function of various artifacts, giving visitors a better understanding of the way that residents of Fort Matanzas lived. Other programs include weapon demonstrations and artifact explorations. Visitors should check Fort Matanza’s website for an updated calendar of events.

Nature Programs – During these programs, rangers lead hikes through nature trails and across beaches, or simply present from the comfort and splendor of the picnic area. These programs are available for individuals of all ability-levels and allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the park.

Specific events and their scheduling are available on Fort Matanzas’ website.

Dining and Shopping

Guests can purchase educational materials, books, and souvenirs, such as magnets, ornaments, and games, from the Eastern National Bookstore, located within the park.

Fort Matanzas does not offer any dining options. Picnic areas are available, and guests may bring outside food, but visitors may not bring food or beverages, other than water, within the fort. For full meals, guests should head to the town of Saint Augustine where visitors can find a variety of dining options.

8635 A1A South, Saint Augustine, FL 32080, Phone: 904-471-0116

More St Augustine things to do

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More Ideas: The Floridian

The Floridian in St Augustine is a restaurant offering traditional Southern dishes along with the best in American and seafood cuisine. The restaurant believes that the best ingredients make the best menu and thus uses materials from their source to ensure that freshness is not compromised. The Floridian has redefined sustainable, as all their ingredients are locally sourced straight from nearby producers.

Possibly the perfect casual dining place in St. Augustine, pop into this restaurant if you fancy experiencing a varied Southern menu with items that are in tune with the season. Also, their in-house gift shop is bound to surprise you with its quirky tees and collectible gift cards.

The restaurant offers lunch and dinner menus that mainly include sandwiches, burgers, and salads. They also have quick snack options under the “Small Plates” list, which are delicious little snacks for light meals.

Lunch – Their “Sandwiches & Mains” list includes main courses like meatloaf sandwiches, filled tortillas, stuffed cornbread, and burgers that are served with an option of beef, shrimp, tuna, tofu, pork, chicken, sausage, or veggie options like sweet potato, fresh lettuce, roasted onions, and peppers, served with homemade pickles and sauces. Their lunch sandwiches are served with salad and chips for sides.

“Bowls” is their menu option for salads that are made using only all-natural locally sourced meat options like grilled chicken, shrimp, pork belly, and freshly caught local fish. The all-vegetarian salads sport tempeh, collards, apples, carrots, and red onions, while the salad dressings range from varied specialty slaws to buttermilk herb dressing, salsas, and various flavored vinaigrette varieties.

The “Small Plates” menu is the restaurant’s version of sides or snacks and includes dishes like pickled vegetables with bread, chips with dips, toasted baguette, green tomatoes, pickled shrimps, buttermilk biscuits with pork, and Soup of the Day.

The restaurant recommends asking for special orders, such as gluten-free and vegan substitutions.

Dinner – The restaurant’s dinner menu additionally includes “Mains,” with meals like meat with potatoes, tuna with Gribiche sauce, steak, waffles with pork, tacos with beef brisket, shrimp, pork sausage with rice, grilled chicken breast or tofu, stuffed cornbread, and freshly caught fish.

The lunch time sandwiches, bowls, and small plates are also available during dinner time.

Drinks - Treat yourself to a plethora of cocktails, lager, stout, ale, cider, sparkling wines, red wines and white wines.

Reservations & Walk-ins

The Floridian requires customers to make reservations via phone or email for groups of 10 or more guests. Walk-in customers who are less than 10 in number are seated on a first-come, first-serve basis since the place is usually crowded.

Back to: Things to Do in St Augustine, Florida

The Floridian, 72 Spanish Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084, Phone: 904-829-0655

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