Why You Should Visit St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach

Located at the southeastern tip of Panama City Beach, St. Andrews State Park is probably one of the more beautiful places you will ever visit. This pristine 1,260-acre park offers a peek at what the entire beach area looked like before hotels, restaurants, and homes took over most of the 27 mile stretch of beach front.

Well-known for its sugar white sands and emerald green waters, this former military reservation has over one-and-a-half miles of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon.

The north side of the park fronts Grand Lagoon. There’s a pier, a boat launch, a picnic area with grills, and plenty of campsites on the north side. The south side fronts the St. Andrew Bay channel entrance. There is a huge rock jetty to explore and the fishing is exceptional.

The back side of the jetty contains a shallow area known as the \’kiddie pool\’ that is away from all of the boating traffic. It\’s ideal for swimming and sunbathing. There is also a big pavilion that many people use for weddings, birthdays and other gatherings. The west side fronts the Gulf of Mexico. It has beautiful white beaches and a nice pier. It is popular with fishermen, surfers, boogie-boarders, and sunbathers.

Two nature trails wind through a rich diversity of coastal plant communities – a great opportunity for bird-watching. Full-facility campsites, as well as primitive youth group camping, make this park a popular overnight destination. A concession offers snacks, souvenirs, and fishing amenities.

For more information, check out the St. Andrews State Park webpage on the Florida State Parks site at www.floridastateparks.org/standrews

Contact Information

  • Address: 4607 State Park La., Panama City Beach, FL, 32408-7323
  • Phone: 850-233-5140
  • Cost: $8 per vehicle, up to 8 people
  • Hours: Daily 8AM – sunset