Only one state park exists on Florida's Cape San Blas, covering almost half the peninsula. Cape San Blas sticks out like a long, crooked, narrow finger from the rest of the Panhandle. It's 20 miles long, with the last 10 miles making up St. Joesph Peninsula State Park. Lesser developed than other Panhandle beach spots, the Cape is a place for nature lovers and beachcombers looking to avoid crowded sands. You can visit the park on a day trip from nearby beach areas or stay overnight. Either way, you won't encounter crowds or traffic in this idyllic setting on the Gulf of Mexico.
America's Best Beach
- In 2002, the pristine white strand at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park was declared by "Dr. Beach" as "America's Best Beach" in his annual beach survey. "Dr. Beach" is the moniker of environmental coastal sciences professor Stephen P. Leatherman, who has made a name for himself ranking beaches worldwide. The beach at St. Joseph's is backed by an unusually high dune field created by the strong winds on the cape, making the beach area all the more scenic.
Beyond the Beachcombing
- The clear, emerald-hued waters make St. Joseph's a good spot for swimming and snorkeling. On the calmer waters of the bay side of the park, snorkeling and scalloping in the sea grass are the order of the day; scalloping season is in summer. There's a boat ramp and small marina on the bay side for anglers and pleasure boaters. Anglers must have a Florida fishing license, available at most local convenience stores. Other activities available in the park include hiking through a coastal scrub forest and hammock environment on miles of nature trails, birding, wildlife viewing, biking and kayaking.
Staying the Night
- Eight furnished cabins containing full kitchens and bathrooms overlook St. Joseph Bay. All have central heat and air conditioning units, and are available year-round. In the spirit of reconnecting with nature, the cabins don't have televisions or telephones, and cell service is very limited in this remote area. Two campgrounds in the park accommodate tent, trailer and RV campers. For those who really want to get away and rough it, there's a primitive camping area in the wilderness preserve area of St. Joseph. Unlike the rest of Cape San Blas, which is very pet friendly, dogs aren't allowed on the beach inside the state park, but you can have them in the camping areas and on the trails as long as they're leashed.
Off the Cape
- The lack of development on Cape San Blas means there aren't a lot of places to dine or shop, and nightlife is nonexistent. When it comes time to go grocery shopping or grab a bite to eat, you might want to head off the cape, which contains only a couple of overpriced convenience stores and unspectacular dining spots. The closest best place to do these things is the charming and historic port town of Apalachicola 40 minutes away from the state park entrance. Less charming but 10 minutes closer, Port St. Joe has an array of eateries and shops in its downtown area, including the nearest well-stocked grocery store to the state park.
