St. Andrews State Park

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We visited St. Andrews State Park during spring break and enjoyed camping at this fantastic ocean side retreat. Our spring break is during mid March so our temps were in the low 80s and high 70s. We had a lot of wind with cool water temps. This was our first time at St. Andrews State Park and this beautiful park didn’t disappoint.

St. Andrews State Park is a popular coastal park known for its sugar-white sands, and emerald-green waters. It’s Located on a peninsula between the Gulf of America and St. Andrews Bay/Grand Lagoon. St. Andrews State Park has over 1.5 miles of unspoiled beaches alongside coastal dunes and rich wildlife habitat.

The park is located at 4607 State Park Lane, Panama City FL 32408. It costs 8$ per car. There are additional fees for the boat launch, be sure to check the website prior to arriving.

St. Andrews State Park took a big hit by recent hurricanes and is undergoing lots of remodeling and in a fixer upper stage, however it is still a great park to visit and is a true example of a wonderful Florida State Park.

Activities at St. Andrews State Park

St. Andrews offers a wide range of activities for visitors of all ages. Swimming being the most common activity.
There’s a calm, shallow “kiddie pool” area by the jetty on the lagoon side that’s great for families, while the Gulf side offers waves for more open-water swimming, with an older crowd.
We loved hanging out in the lagoon, the water was calm and the kids loved looking for crabs. The sand was absolutely perfect for building sand castles and playing in. While we didn’t get a chance to snorkel due to the water being very cool and a chilling breeze during our visit, however we still loved every minute of the lagoon.

Speaking of Snorkeling, it is a favorite activity at St. Andrews, thanks to the park’s clear waters and abundant marine life. The best spot is around the rock jetties where calm, shallow waters harbor colorful fish and crabs. Either bring your own snorkel gear or rent equipment at the park’s store.
Scuba diving is also possible off the beach or around the jetties for certified divers. We saw multiple groups go out with instructors while we were there.

There are opportunities for paddle boarding and kayaking in the bay and lagoon. Bring your own or rent on from the park store.

Fishing at St. Andrews State Park is a year-round activity. The park has two piers and a rock jetty that are ideal for fishing. We did see a sign for how to properly release a sea turtle. If you are fishing be sure to check that out to avoid any issues with the laws surrounding accidentally hooking a turtle.

Boating is also a very common activity, the park has a boat launch, that is located by the Camp Store.

For those who enjoy land-based exploration, Hiking is a great option. St. Andrews has two short nature trails. The Heron Pond Trail is an easy ~0.6-mile loop through coastal scrub and flatwoods, and chances to spot deer or wading birds. The Gator Lake Trail is a ~0.5-mile trail leading to an overlook on a dune above Gator Lake – a great spot to observe birds and possibly alligators in the water. We also spotted many short boardwalks that lead to overlooks which provide great views, and don’t require being out in the heat for long.
Both trails are relatively flat and family-friendly, offering scenic views of dunes, marsh, and pine forests, the trails are mostly sand so wear appropriate foot gear. Remember to wear insect repellent and stay on the marked paths.

If you are visiting with small children we did find a playground by the boat launch, with a restroom nearby.

Bicycling along the 2-mile paved road, is a pleasant ride, they are currently completing construction on the roads, but they are beautiful paved areas for biking, walking or running.

Shell Island

Just a short boat ride away is a beautiful island called Shell Island. We did get to visit and I have a whole post dedicated to our day trip, be sure to check it out.

Camping

Camping at St. Andrews State Park is a wonderful experience not to be missed. From a full-facility campground to group camping and even new glamping tents, you can sleep under the stars just steps away from the beach

The park has a campground for tents or RVs, tucked behind the dunes with views of Lower Grand Lagoon.
Each site has a picnic table, fire ring/grill, water, 30/50-amp electric hookup, and sewer connection (full hookups). The sites were covered with small rocks and very flat, we hardly had to adjust our camper at all, which is always nice. There are some pull through sites, which is what we somehow scored! Some of the sites had absolutely beautiful views of the water.
There are 4 bathhouses with restrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities available.

Campsites start at $28 per night plus tax, with an additional daily utility fee of $7 for RVs (electric/water use) and a one-time $6.70 reservation fee. Check for discounts for seniors and disabled Florida residents as well as for Veterans.
This campground is very popular, especially in spring and summer, so be sure to reserve early. Booking is done through Florida State Parks reservation system or by phone.

visiting St. Andrews State park

If you are in Panama City I highly recommend heading to St. Andrews State Park. We loved camping there and there were so many different activities at the park to keep us entertained. The park is very family friendly, but also has many options for older kids and adults. So get out there and explore Florida and head to St. Andrews State Park!