One of two state parks bookending the crowded condo-lined waterfront of Panama City Beach, St. Andrews is always busy.
It’s a place to savor the beach, and most people come here for exactly that: enjoying the Gulf of Mexico in a natural setting.
Along the inlet with Shell Island on the far shoreSpanning both sides of the inlet at St. Andrews Bay, the park even includes its own “deserted” island, Shell Island, reached by ferryboat.
But not far from the sandy strands, the park’s interior marshes provide critical shelter for wildlife and birds in an otherwise urban setting.
Herons nesting at Gator LakeResources
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Overview
Location: Panama City Beach
Entrance: 30.13484,-85.742847
Address: 4607 State Park Ln, Panama City
Fees: $8 per vehicle
Restroom: At beach access points and pier
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-708-6100
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome except on beaches.
Pay close attention to the beach flags before entering the water to swim. Dangerous currents with undertows can sweep close to shore. Avoid the water when purple or red flags are flying.
Don’t ignore red flags at the beach. An aircraft flew over Jetty Beach to remind us of conditions.Directions
From where US 231 ends at US 98 in Panama City, drive west on US 98 for 6 miles, crossing to Panama City Beach. Exit onto Thomas Dr (CR 392) and drive 3.7 miles. The road makes a sharp left behind the beachfront condos and continues a half mile, changing its name to State Park Ln once within the park gates.
About the Park
Encompassing 1,200 acres of undisturbed forests and sand dunes, the park boasts a mile and a half of beaches, and not just along the Gulf.
A sandy strand wraps around the inlet at St. Andrews Bay and loops a promonotory called Sandy Point to face Grand Lagoon.
St. Andrews Jetty Beach One of Florida's most popular beach destinations, Jetty Beach at St. Andrews State Park offers both wild and mellow surf on either side of the jetty.
St. Andrews Sandy Point One of the secrets of St. Andrews State Park is its gentle, sweeping beach along Sandy Point, a natural extension of the barrier island that divides Grand Lagoon from St. Andrews Bay.A protected pool behind the jetty attracts swimmers and snorkelers while anglers cast lines from the jumble of rocks and surfers look for rollers just offshore.
Two fishing piers provide more sedate setting for fishing, but the bayside shoreline is a popular destination, too.
Dive practice and anglers at the jettyCyclists can make use of the Park Road Circle, the central loop through the middle of the park around its freshwater marshes.
Side roads lead off it to pier and beach parking as well as the campgrounds and waterfront complex along Grand Lagoon.
Cyclists on Park Road CircleA pair of campgrounds along Grand Lagoon have salt breezes as a bonus. Pine Grove and Lagoon Campground have 176 sites between them, with electric and water.
Glamping tents are now a part of that mix. Youth groups can arrange to use a primitive group camping area with its own restrooms and showers.
Campers will appreciate having a camp store on site, and paddlesports rentals nearby.
Launch and pier on Grand LagoonThe boat ramp is a launch point for boaters and paddlers to explore the nooks and coves of Grand Lagoon.
Within sight of the tour boat dock, a historic turpentine distillery is the only one of its kind in the state, echoing a past when the tall pines were tapped for naval stores.
A restored turpentine distilleryIt’s at the start of a nature trail that showcase the splendor of one of Florida’s most threatened habitats, the coastal scrub, and crosses a marsh.
St. Andrews Heron Pond Trail At St. Andrews State Park, the interpretive Heron Pond Trail is a walk through coastal history, starting with a mockup turpentine distillery at the trailhead. Two more short nature trails also offer different perspectives on marshes and a pond and are prime places for birders to haunt.
St. Andrews Buttonbush Marsh Overlook Less than a mile from the strumming waves of the Gulf of Mexico, Buttonbush Marsh at St. Andrews State Park provides an important habitat for wildlife at the end of the barrier island at Panama City Beach.
St. Andrews Gator Lake Trail At St. Andrews State Park, the Gator Lake Trail is only a half-mile but hits the park's high point with panoramic views in the scrub forest and great birding along an established rookery.Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos of St. Andrews State Park
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Oaks by the Bay Park An urban green space in Panama City, Oaks by the Bay Park protects a natural shoreline along St. Andrews Bay.
Frank Brown Park The primary recreational complex in Panama City Beach - with aquatic center and ballfields - Frank Brown Park also provides access to biking on Gayle's Trails. 
Panama City Beach Conservation Park String together a set of well-maintained trails to hike loops of up to 11 miles through this vast protected area of woodlands and wetlands in Panama City Beach. 
Camp Helen State Park Haunted by a sea monster sighted in one of the largest ancient coastal dune lakes on Florida's coast, Camp Helen State Park offers seaside relaxation and historic interpretation. 
- Hal Scott Yellow Trail - November 3, 2026
- Hal Scott Preserve - October 28, 2026
- Tradewinds Park - October 27, 2026