Located just minutes from historic St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Anastasia State Park offers 1,600 acres of pristine Florida coastline that draws nearly half a million visitors annually. Established in 1949, this beloved park consistently earns outstanding reviews from guests who come for its white sand beaches, tidal marshes, and ancient coquina rock formations.

The park’s four miles of undeveloped Atlantic beach provide some of the best swimming, surfing, and beachcombing on Florida’s northeast coast. Salt Run, the tidal lagoon separating Anastasia Island from the mainland, creates ideal conditions for kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing—rentals are available on-site. Anglers find excellent opportunities for both surf fishing and lagoon fishing, with redfish, flounder, and sea trout among the common catches.

Inland, the park’s maritime hammock forest shelters miles of hiking and biking trails winding through live oaks draped in Spanish moss. Birders regularly spot painted buntings, roseate spoonbills, and migrating shorebirds along the marsh edges.

The best time to visit is spring or fall when temperatures hover in the comfortable 70s and summer crowds thin out. Winter months offer pleasant beach weather by Florida standards, while summer brings warmer water for swimming but also afternoon thunderstorms.

What makes Anastasia truly special is its combination of natural beauty and proximity to St. Augustine’s rich history—you can explore 450 years of American heritage in the morning and watch dolphins play in the surf by afternoon.

Explore Nearby

• St. Augustine Light (New) — Lighthouse in Florida
• St. Augustine Light (Old) — Lighthouse in Florida
• Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail — Scenic Byway in Wisconsin
• Ocala National Forest — National Forest in Florida
• Osceola National Forest — National Forest in Florida