Fun Is In Our Nature
Explore Wakulla Beach – home to fiddler crabs, wild hogs, and coastal birds. This is not a traditional sandy beach, but maybe something closer to a grassy wetland area. Recreational and commercial anglers use this beach as a launch pad to Goose Creek Bay and the Gulf.
If you choose to launch a vessel from the beach, be mindful of tides.
Shell Point Beach is a sun-soaked escape along Florida’s Gulf Coast, perfect for beachcombing, swimming, and soaking in the coastal scenery. Visitors can stroll along soft sandy shores searching for seashells, watch shorebirds and wading birds in the tidal flats, or simply relax with a picnic while listening to the waves. The calm, shallow waters make it ideal for families and paddlers alike, with kayaks or small boats easily launched from the beach.
Beyond the sand, the surrounding natural areas offer trails for hiking and wildlife watching, giving visitors a chance to spot egrets, herons, and other coastal birds. Whether you’re looking for a day of sun, a peaceful paddle, or a quiet spot to connect with nature, Shell Point Beach is a perfect blend of relaxation and outdoor adventure.
The beach is equipped with a mobi-mat bringing accessibility to the water to wheelchair and walker users. Don’t miss the playground or picnic pavilion – perfect for families.
The second-oldest lighthouse in Florida still stands sentinel over the shores of Apalachee Bay. Constructed in 1831, the picturesque, highly photographed, whitewashed masonry tower and keeper’s quarters rest securely on a base of limestone rock taken — according to local legend — from nearby Fort San Marcos de Apalache. Overlooking the Apalachee Bay, the lighthouse guided captains to the St. Marks River through treacherous oyster beds. The lighthouse walls are four feet thick at the base and narrow to 18 inches deep at the top. The keeper’s house is attached to the tower increasing the overall strength of the building that has withstood over 100 hurricanes.
There have been a total of 21 keepers of the St. Marks Lighthouse, two of them women. Entire large families lived in the small keeper’s quarters. The keeper’s job was to climb to the tower twice a day to keep the kerosene lanterns filled and the wicks trimmed. It was most important to always keep the flame burning.
Today, the St. Marks Lighthouse is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse grounds are accessible within the National Wildlife Refuge, but for now the tower is only open to the public on special occasions. Future plans are to open the lighthouse as a museum and historic site.
This city park offers a boat ramp, picnic areas, bird and wildlife watching. Enjoy views of the St. Marks River and a different perspective of the San Marcos de Apalache Historic Park.
The many different flags flying over San Marcos de Apalache welcome visitors and symbolize the colorful history of this site, from the Spanish explorers to the present day.
The park’s museum displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort. Interpretive displays explain the history of the San Marcos site. An 18-minute video recounts the days of the Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces that once occupied this site. The video does a great job of tying all the periods of the fort together. A self-guided interpretive trail is open to visitors and guided tours are available.
A picnic area is available with picnic tables and barbecue grills. Tucker’s Point offers a scenic view at the water’s edge where the St. Marks River joins the Wakulla River and flows out into Apalache Bay.
The point is an excellent spot for fishing. Species commonly caught at this unique spot where fresh and salt water come together include redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead and even largemouth bass.
This secluded beach is surrounded by saltwater marshes, hosts an abundance of wildlife, and is a great place to fish or watch the sunset. Mashes Sands Beach has limited amenities but features a mobile restroom facility onsite and a mobi-mat to the waterline for full ADA accessibility.
Offering bayfront and first-tier lots, Bayside is situated right on the water where you can spot manatees, fish from their pier, kayak or paddleboard, while staying comfortably in your RV. Electric hook-ups accomodate both 30 and 50-amp needs.
This boat ramp serves boaters, anglers, and birders. Fish from the sandy shoreline wandering trails cut through foliage, or launch your boat from the paved ramp. As an access point for Levy and Dickerson Bay, the ramp is a stopping point for roseate spoonbills, various duck species, and vocal birds like clapper and Virgina rails. This spot is a local favorite to enjoy coastal sunrises and sunsets.
Discover endless ways to explore the outdoors at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. Birding enthusiasts can spot everything from migrating waterfowl to rare raptors along some of the best viewing areas on the Gulf Coast. Anglers will find prime spots to cast for redfish, trout, and bass, while paddlers can slip into winding creeks and calm bays for an up-close look at the refuge’s natural beauty. Miles of trails invite hikers and bikers to explore salt marshes, pine forests, and coastal vistas—each turn offering a new adventure. Whether you’re chasing the perfect photo, a trophy catch, or simply a day surrounded by nature, St. Marks delivers an unforgettable experience.
No visit is complete without stopping at the iconic St. Marks Lighthouse, one of Florida’s oldest and most photographed lighthouses. Standing tall since 1831, the lighthouse offers history, charm, and breathtaking views of the Gulf Coast. Visitors can explore the grounds, take photos of the striking structure, and enjoy sweeping vistas of the refuge’s marshes and waterways—a perfect complement to the outdoor adventures waiting just beyond the shore.
