WATER & COAST

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park Beach

Franklin County · Panhandle & Emerald Coast

Nine miles of beach at the east end of the island, four of them reachable by car on the main drive, and Dr. Beach named it the best beach in the country in 2023. The campground has 60 sites with power and water a quarter mile from the sand, plus primitive carry-in camping at Gap Point reached on foot or by boat. The bay side is shallow enough for small boats and paddling, with two natural ramps for boats under 24 feet and canoe and kayak rentals at the ranger station. Almost 300 bird species have been recorded here, and an observation platform looks over the old dunes. Surf and bay fishing brings in flounder, redfish, sea trout, pompano and whiting. Hot showers at the campground, cold rinse-off showers at the beach, beach wheelchairs and accessible nature trails. Pets on a six-foot leash in marked areas, never on the beach.