Unnamed Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, USA 
253 miles from Panama City Beach, FL
Spanning more than 200 acres of pristine wilderness in the southern part of Amelia Island, Amelia Island State Park offers numerous recreational activities for nature lovers including strolling, wildlife watching, picnicking, sunbathing and swimming on the beach, fishing, and shelling.
Moreover, it’s the only state park in Florida where you can ride a horse on the beach! Even if you don’t, just strolling along a picturesque seashore with white sand, enjoying the scenic views and the ocean breeze will be enough to have some really nice memories of your vacation.
Location and Access
Located at State Road A1A in North Jacksonville, Amelia Island State Park is conveniently close to both Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach. The entrance fee is $2. There is a parking lot available – be prepared for a little walk to the beach from there. If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you can drive and park directly on the beach instead.
Park Amenities
Another thing you should be prepared for is scarce park facilities. There are neither stationary restrooms nor rinse showers – only one porta-potty in the parking lot (which is often very dirty).
Beach Access
The beach in Amelia Island State Park is a great place to relax and unwind. It’s scenic and quiet, with birds and plentiful seashells in the soft white sand. The sand is hard-packed – you can even ride a bike on it during the low tide.
The water is quite murky and brownish in color. However, many visitors enjoy swimming here. If you decide to join them, please be careful – there is no lifeguard station on the beach.
Shelling
Once you get tired of lying in the sun and swimming, you can stroll along the shore and look for shells and shark teeth. You can find various species including scallop, periwinkle, clam, and oyster. The best time for shelling is during the low tide when most of the beach area is exposed.
Horseback Riding
For years, visitors have enjoyed horseback riding on the beach in Amelia Island State Park. If you want to reserve a horseback tour, you can contact Kelly Seahorse Ranch that provides horseback riding services. They give tours four times a day. Their phone number is 904-491-5166.
Driving Time
- 40 minutes from Downtown Jacksonville, FL
- 1 hour 15 minutes from Brunswick, GA
- 2 hours 40 minutes from Orlando, FL
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Amelia Island State Park Beach which you can visit:
- American Beach (4 miles)
- Little Talbot Island State Park Beach (4 miles)
- Peters Point Beachfront Park Beach (6 miles)
- Seaside Park Beach (8 miles)
- Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Beach (10 miles)
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8 AMELIA VILLAGE CIRCLE, Amelia Island, FL 32034, United States
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4 mi away