• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Florida Hikes logo

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

  • Trails
  • Maps
  • Guidebooks
  • Search
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
  • Hike
    • Scenic Hikes
    • Loop Trails
    • Dog-friendly Hikes
    • Hikes for Kids
    • National Parks in Florida
    • Florida State Parks
  • Bike
    • Major Bike Trails
    • Paved Bike Trails
    • Off Road Biking
    • Biking Articles
  • Paddle
    • Canoe & Kayak Rentals
    • Paddling Destinations
    • Paddling Articles
  • Camp
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Car Camping
    • Primitive Camping
  • Florida Trail
    • Plan your Hike
    • Best Scenic Hikes
    • Best Backpacking
    • Section Hiking
    • Thru-Hiking
    • Trail Updates
  • Travel
Dunes along oceanfront with beach access area

St. George Island State Park

Blessed with brilliant white quartz sand, St. George Island State Park is a sparkling, quiet getaway protecting nearly 2,000 acres of coastal habitats on a barrier island between Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

St. George Island      ( 29.68397,-84.797484 )      

134 shares

Silence is golden at the eastern tip of St. George Island, the barrier island that defines Apalachicola Bay at the mouth of the Apalachicola River.

The island is blessed with brilliant white sand, flecks of ancient quartz carried down from the Appalachian mountains to this spot.

It’s a beautiful getaway where, thanks to Dr. Julian D. Bruce St. George Island State Park, nearly 2,000 acres are forever preserved from development.

White sand and aqua sea A lonely stretch of beach


Resources

Resources for exploring the area
North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover Hiking the Gulf Coast book cover  
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Overview

Location: St. George Island
Trailhead: 29.68397,-84.797484
Address: 1900 E Gulf Beach Dr, St. George Island
Fees: $6 per vehicle
Restroom: At the beach and campground
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-927-2111
 
Open 8 AM to sunset daily. Leashed dogs permitted but not on beaches.

Directions

 
From Apalachicola, take US 98 east 5.2 miles across Apalachicola Bay to Eastpoint. Turn right on CR 300 (Bay Shore Rd) to loop south of Eastpoint and drive 5 miles, across the long causeway and bridge to St. George Island. On the island, turn left on E Gulf Beach Dr in front of the lighthouse. Follow this road for 4.2 miles through the beachside community. It enters the park gates and becomes the park road.

About the Park

Along the narrow strip of land between Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches go on for nine miles.

The park drive threads the needle between coastal pine flatwoods along the bay and significantly tall dunes along the shoreline.

Rounded green bushes atop tall dunes Dunes topped with Florida rosemary


Enjoy a starry nights beneath towering slash pines on a backpacking trip out to Gap Point, or settle into the 60-site developed campground at Sugar Hill, where the trail begins.

By its name, you can assume a healthy coastal scrub is a central feature of this high ground on the island.

Casita trailer set up in beachy campground Campsite at Sugar Hill Camping Area


There are dune crossovers to protect the lines of dunes and their delicate plants, but this park is very low-key compared to most beaches on the Florida coast.

Being closer to the entrance gate, East Slough Beach tends to be busier. At the end of the park road, Sugar Hill Beach is an easy walk from the campground.

beach fence and beachgoers Visitors enjoying East Slough Beach


A boat launch in East Cove provides direct access to St. George Island Sound for both boaters and paddlers.

Explore East Cove and Rattlesnake Cove to its west, with a loop around Goose Island between them. Bank and kayak fishing are permitted.

Broad body of water with sand launch Launch at East Cove


Hiking

Beyond the many miles of beach to roam, the park has three marked trails.

The East Slough Trail kicks off with an accessible boardwalk and overlook over this saline slough edged by pine forest.

deck overlooking water Overlook on East Slough


It interconnects with the Gap Point Trail to shorten your distance out to the point and its primitive campsites on St. George Island Sound.

For a day hike, start at the kiosk at Sugar Hill Camping Area to walk the length of the peninsula created by East Slough, a 5 mile round-trip.

Gate and dunes beyond Entrance to a five mile section of bike and pedestrian roadway at Sugar Hill


A ten mile round-trip challenge lies at the end of the park road, best tackled by bicycle.

Starting from Sugar Hill Beach behind a gate, the trail leads out to the very eastern tip of St. George Island on the high ground.

Gap Point at St. George State Park Gap Point Trail At St. George Island State Park, the 5-mile round trip Gap Point Trail offers an opportunity to backpack or day hike to get up close to the desert-like coastal scrub.

Trail Map

St. George Island State Park Trail Map


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of St. George Island State Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Island Ridge Trail at Little St. George Island Little St. George Island Trails If you’re looking for remote along Florida’s coast, Little St. George Island in Apalachicola Bay has over 9 miles of undeveloped beach and several miles of trails, and is only accessible by boat.
Loblolly bay Apalachicola NERR Cat Point Trail Just a short walk from the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Visitor Center, this half-mile loop meanders coastal habitats in Eastpoint
Nature Center Trails kiosk Apalachicola NERR Apalachicola NERR Nature Center A delightful destination for learning about Apalachicola Bay, the headquarters of Apalachicola NERR boasts a nature center and more than a half mile of gentle interpretive trails
Scipio Creek Trail Scipio Creek Boardwalk A sweeping view of the Apalachicola River estuary waits like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow on this beautiful nature trail and boardwalk

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Beach Hikes, Beaches, Biking, Camping, Canoe & Kayak Rentals, Day Hikes, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Nature Trails, Northwest Florida, Paddling, Parks, PlacesTag: Accessible, Apalachicola, Apalachicola Bay, Big Bend Scenic Byway, Birding, Boardwalks, Boating, Botanical, Car Camping, Developed Camping, Eastpoint, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Gulf of Mexico, Observation Decks, Picnic, Playgrounds, Primitive Camping, St. George Island, St. George Island State Park, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing

Have an update? Contact us.

Primary Sidebar

NORTHWEST FLORIDA

NORTHWEST FLORIDA OVERVIEW
Florida Trail

Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

Our Newest Books

The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideOur definitive guidebook to planning backpacking trips on the Florida National Scenic Trail, now in its fourth edition. Full data charts and maps. B&W, 356 pages. $19.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Florida Trail Hikes

Florida Trail Hikes 2nd edition coverFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.

Order Now


Discovering the Florida Trail

Florida Trail mini coffee table book cover of trail into palm hammock
A visual journey the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax & shipping.
Order Now


50 Hikes in Central Florida 3rd edition
Explorer's Guide North Florida & The Panhandle guidebook
Five Star Trails Gainesville & Ocala guidebook

Florida Trail Apps

Farout GuidesFarout Apps Comprehensive logistics and offline maps for the
Florida National Scenic Trail (1,500 miles), the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail (108 miles), and the ECT Florida Connector (92 miles).

Explore More

Our recent park & trail updates in this region

View of a bay through pines

Sand Pine Trail, Bald Point State Park

Sand Pine Trail, Bald Point State Park
Pine flatwoods

Sundew Trail, Bald Point State Park

Sundew Trail, Bald Point State Park
Trail tunneling into oak scrub

Sand Pine Nature Trail

Sand Pine Nature Trail
Trail into bluff forest in deep shade

Rocky Bayou Nature Trail

Rocky Bayou Nature Trail

Footer

FIND A TRAIL OR PARK

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Apalachicola. Apalachicola National Forest. Blackwater River State Forest. Blountstown. Bonifay. Bristol. Cape San Blas. Carrabelle. Chattahoochee. Chipley. Crawfordville. Crestview. DeFuniak Springs. Destin. Ebro. Eglin Air Force Base. Fort Walton Beach. Freeport. Gulf Islands National Seashore. Madison. Marianna. Milton. Monticello. Mossy Head. Navarre Beach . Niceville. Panama City Beach. Pensacola. Ponce De Leon. Port St. Joe. Quincy. Sopchoppy. South Walton. St. Marks. St. Marks River. St. Marks NWR. Tallahassee. Vernon. Wakulla. Wewahitchka

NORTH FLORIDA
Alachua. Amelia Island. Baldwin. Branford. Bunnell. Cedar Key. Chiefland. Crescent City. Dowling Park. Ellaville. Fernandina Beach. Flagler Beach. Gainesville. Green Cove Springs. High Springs. Jacksonville. Keystone Heights. Lake Butler.Lake City. Live Oak. Mayo. Macclenny. Micanopy. Olustee. Orange Park. Osceola National Forest. Palatka. Palatka-Lake Butler Trail. Palm Coast. Perry. Salt Springs. St. Augustine. Starke. Steinhatchee. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Suwannee Springs. Talbot Islands. Timucuan Preserve. Trenton. Welaka. White Springs. Williston

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo

MULTI-REGION
Big Cypress Swamp. East Coast Greenway. Everglades National Park. Florida National Scenic Trail Lake Wales Ridge.

CENTRAL FLORIDA
Apopka. Belleview. Brandon. Brooksville. Bushnell. Canaveral National Seashore. Christmas. Chuluota. Clearwater Beach. Clermont. Coast to Coast Trail. Cocoa Beach. Cross Florida Greenway. Crystal River. Dade City. Daytona Beach. De Leon Springs. DeBary. Deland. Deltona. Dunedin. Dunnellon. Frostproof. Geneva. Inverness. Kenansville. Kissimmee. Lake Mary. Lake Wales. Lakeland. Largo. Leesburg.Lithia. Longwood. Melbourne. Melbourne Beach. Merritt Island. Merritt Island NWR. Mims. Mount Dora. New Port Richey. New Smyrna Beach. Ocala. Ocala National Forest. Ocklawaha. Orlando. Ormond Beach. Osteen. Oviedo. Palm Bay. Ridge Manor. Riverview. Ruskin. Sanford. Silver Springs. Spring Hill. St. Cloud. St. Petersburg. Tampa. Tarpon Springs. Titusville . Walt Disney World. Weeki Wachee. Winter Park. Winter Springs. Withlacoochee State Forest. Withlacoochee State Trail. Yeehaw Junction. Zephyrhills

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Bradenton . Charlotte Harbor. Ding Darling NWR. Englewood. Estero. Fort Myers. Immokalee. Naples. Pine Island. Port Charlotte. Punta Gorda. Sanibel Island. Sarasota. Venice

SOUTH FLORIDA
Arcadia. Basinger. Big Cypress National Preserve. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. Clewiston. Everglades City. Fisheating Creek. Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. Lake Placid. LaBelle. Lakeport. Moore Haven. Okeechobee. Pahokee. Port Mayaca. Sebring. South Bay

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
Big Pine Key. Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park. Boca Raton. Boynton Beach. Coconut Creek. Coral Gables. Coral Springs. Davie. Delray Beach. Northeast Everglades Natural Area. Florida Keys. Fort Lauderdale. Fort Pierce. Hobe Sound. Hollywood. Homestead. Islamorada. Jensen Beach. Jupiter. Juno Beach. Key Biscayne. Key Largo. Key West. Marathon. Miami. Ocean to Lake Greenway. Overseas Heritage Trail. Palm Beach. Port St. Lucie. Redland. Sebastian. Stuart. Vero Beach. West Palm Beach

  • Trails
  • Parks
  • Beaches
  • Gardens
  • Springs
  • Ecotours
  • Attractions
©2006-2023, Sandra Friend & John Keatley | Disclosure | Site Index | Work with Us | Advertise with Us
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy | Florida Hikes PO Box 93 Mims FL 32754| Contact