Glen St. Mary FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Glen St. Mary, Florida.
1. Olustee Beach Recreation Area
SANDY FOREST LAKE RETREAT
Olustee Beach Recreation Area is a day-use only park located in the Osceola National Forest on Ocean Pond offering a sandy beach and boat ramps for visitors. The park features picnic tables, covered shelters with grills, cold showers, flush toilets, and drinking water for comfortable day outings. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, and picnicking in a natural forest setting, though camping is not permitted and pets must be leashed and are not allowed in the beach area.
2. The Landing
LAKESIDE SWIMMING AND CAMPING
The Landing offers a unique opportunity for lakeside swimming with convenient boat parking directly in front of campsites. The first-come, first-served campground provides various site options including those with electrical and water hookups, water-only hookups, or basic gravel spurs. All campers have easy access to restrooms, drinking water, picnic areas, and playgrounds for a complete outdoor recreation experience.
3. St. Marys Shoals Park
WILD FLORIDA RIVER EXPERIENCE
St. Marys Shoals Park preserves 2,568 acres of wild Florida landscape featuring nearly two miles of tea-stained river frontage with beautiful white sandy shoals. The biodiverse recreational area welcomes equestrian riders, ATV enthusiasts, hikers, campers, and boaters to enjoy scenic forests and blackwater swamps. Park facilities and beaches provide regulated access to experience authentic wild Florida, though visitors should check with park officials following extreme weather patterns due to floodplain sensitivity.
4. Traders Hill Recreation Area
HISTORIC RIVER ACCESS POINT
Traders Hill Recreation Area serves as a key access point to the scenic St. Mary's River, offering facilities for paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts. Located near the Florida-Georgia border, this historic site provides a convenient launch for canoes and kayaks to explore the gentle curves of the river. Visitors can enjoy the picturesque hardwood forests and inviting white sandbars that characterize this natural waterway.
5. Scotts Landing
PADDLER'S GATEWAY DESTINATION
Scotts Landing functions as a primary outfitter location and access point for the St. Mary's River Paddling Trail, offering canoe and kayak launches with restroom facilities. The landing serves as an ideal starting point for both day trips and overnight paddling adventures on the dark, tea-colored waters of the river. Paddlers appreciate the convenience of vehicle parking and shuttle arrangements available for longer excursions along the 60-mile trail.
6. Jacksonville Beach
POPULAR ATLANTIC OCEANFRONT
Jacksonville Beach offers a wide, sandy Atlantic Ocean beachfront with vibrant boardwalk atmosphere and numerous recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, surfing, fishing, and volleyball along with easy access to nearby restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. The beach hosts regular events and festivals, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a classic Florida beach experience.
7. Little Talbot Island State Park
PRISTINE BARRIER ISLAND BEACH
Little Talbot Island State Park encompasses one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Northeast Florida, featuring over five miles of pristine beaches and diverse coastal ecosystems. Visitors can explore maritime forests, dunes, and marshes while enjoying swimming, surfing, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park's natural beauty and unspoiled shoreline provide a tranquil escape from nearby urban areas, offering a glimpse of Florida's native coastal landscapes.
8. Huguenot Memorial Park
DRIVE-ON BEACH EXPERIENCE
Huguenot Memorial Park offers the unique experience of drive-on beach access where visitors can park directly on the sand near the water's edge. The park sits at the mouth of the St. Johns River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, creating diverse fishing opportunities and excellent conditions for surfing, swimming, and wildlife observation. Bird enthusiasts particularly enjoy the park as it serves as an important nesting ground for various shorebird species, including least terns and black skimmers.
9. Ocean Pond Campground
FOREST LAKE RECREATION
Ocean Pond Campground surrounds a picturesque 1,760-acre lake in the Osceola National Forest, offering year-round swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. The facility features developed campsites with electric hookups, primitive camping areas, picnic shelters, and a boat ramp for easy lake access. Visitors appreciate the serene forest setting and refreshing clear waters, making it a popular destination for families seeking affordable outdoor recreation near Glen St. Mary.
10. Fernandina Beach
HISTORIC SEASIDE TOWN
Fernandina Beach stretches along 13 miles of pristine shoreline on Amelia Island, offering white sand beaches with gentle waves perfect for swimming and beachcombing. The beach is backed by a charming historic downtown with Victorian architecture, unique shops, and seafood restaurants that highlight the area's rich maritime heritage. Visitors enjoy water activities, sunset views, and the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, making it a well-rounded coastal destination within driving distance of Glen St. Mary.