Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Florida is a protected coastal area consisting of 1,600 acres of beaches, tidal marshes, and ancient dunes. My 2026 guide contains the primary practical information needed for a first visit, including updated opening hours, ticket prices, arrival instructions, accessibility, and useful planning hints.
When I first pulled through the entrance gates or Anastasia State Park, the thing that struck me wasn’t the promised pristine beaches — it was how impossibly quiet everything felt despite being just minutes from downtown St. Augustine. The park sprawls across 1,600 acres of Anastasia Island, with four miles of white quartz sand beaches backing onto tidal salt marshes and maritime forests.
Quick overview
Anastasia State Park charges $8 per vehicle for up to eight people. The park opens at 8am and closes at sundown every day of the year, including holidays. If you’re a pedestrian or cyclist arriving solo, you’ll pay $2. Camping facilities cost extra, starting at $28 per night plus additional fees.
At a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $8 per vehicle (up to 8 people); $4 single occupant; $2 pedestrian/cyclist |
| Opening hours | 8am to sundown, 365 days a year |
| Address | 300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080 |
| Free for | Nobody—all visitors pay entry fees |
| Last entry | Sundown (varies seasonally) |
How much does Anastasia State Park cost?
The pricing structure is refreshingly straightforward. You pay at the entrance gate, and that covers your vehicle and everyone in it for the entire day.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Per vehicle | $8.00 | Groups of 2-8 people in one vehicle |
| Single occupant vehicle | $4.00 | Solo drivers only |
| Pedestrian/bicyclist | $2.00 | Walkers, cyclists, extra passengers beyond 8 |
Camping fees (separate from entry):
| Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Base camping rate | $28 per night | Plus tax |
| Reservation fee | $6.70 | Non-refundable, one-time per reservation |
| Utility fee | $7 per night | RVs, cabins, bungalows only—not tents |
| Senior/disability discount | 50% off base rate | Florida residents 65+ or disability certificate holders |
The camping pricing caught me off guard initially. Between taxes, the reservation fee, and that $7 utility charge, you’re looking closer to $42-45 per night for an RV site.
These prices and opening hours were checked and verified in January 2026.
Is Anastasia State Park free to enter?
No. Everyone pays to enter, whether you’re driving, walking, or cycling. The minimum entry fee is $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists. There are no free days, no twilight discounts, and no local resident exemptions. If you plan to visit Florida state parks regularly, the Annual Individual Pass covers entry to Anastasia plus over 170 other state parks.
What time does Anastasia State Park open?
The park opens at 8am and remains open until sundown, 365 days a year. “Sundown” shifts considerably throughout the year—in summer that might mean 8:30pm closing; in winter, you’re looking at 5:30pm or earlier. If you’re camping and arriving after sunset, ring the park office on 904-461-2033 on the day of arrival for the gate combination. All campers must be set up before 11pm.
Do I need to book Anastasia State Park tickets in advance?
For day visits, no advance booking is required. You simply turn up, pay at the entrance gate, and drive in. Camping is different. The park’s 139 campsites get heavily booked, particularly during spring break and autumn. Book several weeks ahead for weekend stays during peak season through the Florida State Parks reservation system.
History
The land within Anastasia State Park has been actively shaped by humans for over 300 years. The Spanish Coquina Quarries here provided the distinctive stone — a variation of limestone consisting of sand and mollusk shells—used to build the Castillo de San Marcos fortress in St. Augustine throughout the 17th century. The quarry site remains accessible near the park entrance and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park itself was established in 1949 when Florida acquired these coastal acres to preserve them from development.
What to see and do
The four miles of Atlantic-facing beach are the obvious draw — wide, pale sand backed by protective dunes. Swimming is excellent when the waves cooperate, and surfers congregate near the south end.
The Ancient Dunes Nature Trail winds 0.7 miles through maritime hammock forest, a proper scramble over forested dunes with live oaks providing shade.
Salt Run‘s tidal marshes are exceptional for wildlife watching, with abundant wading birds including colourful roseate spoonbills, whilst osprey and eagles rule the skies. Kayaking or canoeing through these calm waters gives you a different perspective entirely.
Anastasia Watersports operates from inside the park, renting kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, and bicycles.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Access to four miles of beach for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and shelling
- Use of all hiking and nature trails, including Ancient Dunes Trail
- Entry to the historic Spanish Coquina Quarries archaeological site
- Wildlife observation throughout the park’s 1,600 acres
- Car parking at multiple locations throughout the park
- Access to restroom facilities and outdoor showers
- Participation in free ranger-led programmes when scheduled
Things to do near Anastasia State Park
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum (1.5 miles, 5-minute drive) – The distinctive red-and-white striped lighthouse dates from 1874. Climb 219 steps for panoramic views across Anastasia Island and downtown St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park (2 miles, 5-minute drive) – This facility holds every living crocodilian species on earth. Beyond alligators and crocodiles, there’s a zip line course over the alligator marsh.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (4.5 miles, 12-minute drive) – The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, built from coquina quarried at Anastasia State Park. National Park Service rangers conduct regular cannon-firing demonstrations.
Fort Mose Historic State Park (6 miles, 15-minute drive) – The first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what became the United States, established in 1738. The visitor centre museum tells the compelling story of escaped enslaved people who found freedom in Spanish Florida.
St. Augustine Amphitheatre (0.5 miles, 2-minute drive) – An outdoor concert venue hosting major touring acts throughout the year. Music from concerts can occasionally be heard from the park’s campground, though city ordinance requires all music to end by 10pm. Ticket prices vary by performance.
Practical tips
- Budget a minimum of 3-4 hours for beach and one trail; a full day makes more sense to explore properly
- No public transport serves the park—you’ll need a car or bicycle
- Beach wheelchairs available free on request (subject to availability)
- Sunscreen, drinking water, and insect repellent essential
- Dogs permitted on leads throughout most of the park, including beaches
- Alcohol prohibited parkwide except within campsites
- The Island Beach Grill sells food and drinks near the main beach area
- Expect heavy crowds on summer weekends and spring break (March)
- Weekdays from September through May offer the best combination of weather and manageable crowds
Frequently asked questions
Can I camp at Anastasia State Park?
Yes, the park operates 139 campsites suitable for both tents and RVs. All sites include water and electricity. Reservations are essential during busy periods.
Are there lifeguards on duty?
No. You swim at your own risk. Conditions vary with weather and tides, and rip currents can develop after storms.
Can I rent equipment at the park?
Anastasia Watersports rents kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, canoes, and bicycles.
What wildlife might I see?
Dolphins, manatees (occasionally), various herons and egrets, roseate spoonbills, ospreys, bald eagles, ghost crabs, sea turtle nests (seasonal), and the endangered Anastasia Island beach mouse.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- 5 reasons to visit Miami on a round-the-world trip.
- Exploring the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers.
- Guide to the St Andrews State Park to Shell Island ferry.
- A practical guide to the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville.
- Plan your visit to the Museum of Illusions in Orlando.
