Explore Florida's Coastal Treasure and Beautiful Beaches, Salt Marshes and Maritime Forests.
Amelia Island State Recreation Area is a Florida State Park located 7 miles north of Little Talbot Island State Park on SR A1A, and 8 miles south of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida. The park offering horseback rides down the beach, canoe and kayak rentals, fishing and acres of wildlife for Exploring. You'll find wide, expansive beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests preserved in their natural beauty.
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State Road A1A
Jacksonville, FL 32226 904.251.2320
Amelia Island State Park is a short drive from Jacksonville or Fernandina Beach. The park protects over 200 acres of unspoiled wilderness along the southern tip of Amelia Island. Beautiful beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests provide visitors a glimpse of the original, unspoiled Florida. Amelia Island State Park is one of the few locations on the east coast that offers horseback riding on the beach and riding tours along the shoreline. Fishermen can surf fish along the shoreline or they can cast their lines from the mile-long George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier which spans Nassau Sound. Visitors can stroll along the beach, look for shells and shark teeth or watch the wildlife. Beach driving is also permitted along designated routes providing shoreline access. Drivers should be aware of seasonal closures of certain park areas that are needed in the spring and summer to protect nesting shorebirds. The park offering horseback rides down the beach, canoe and kayak rentals, fishing and acres of wildlife for Exploring. For horseback tour reservations, contact Kelly Seahorse Ranch at 904.491.5166. Tours are given four times daily.
Turtle Crawl
Sea turtles are special summer visitors to many of Florida's shores. Female turtles come ashore to nest and return to the water after laying their eggs. The newly-hatched young follow 50-70 days later. Please follow posted rules concerning turtles, and if fortunate enough to see a nesting species, please do not disturb them or their nests.
Shorebird Haven
This beach provides critical habitat year round to several species of threatened shorebirds. During the cool, winter months, the piping plover, a threatened species protected by the Endangered Species Act, forages on these beaches. Keep your eyes peeled for these small brown and white shorebirds with pink legs, often sporting brightly colored ID bands. During the warmer spring and summer months, the beach dunes host nesting Least Terns and Wilson's Plovers. Be aware of seasonal closures affecting beach access from March – September in order to protect the tiny birds and their vulnerable young chicks.
