St. Andrews State Park

Panama City Beach has a fun-loving reputation and is also well known for its sugar-white sands and emerald green waters. On the east end of the town is a former military reservation that protected from development over one-and-a-half miles of beaches on the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon, that became St. Andrews State Park.

Now more than 1,200 acres in size, St. Andrews State Park covered 303 acres at its inception in 1947 along the Gulf shore. The original parcel was purchased from the U.S. government at a bargain price of $2.50 per acre.

Over the next 40 years, additional land was acquired in bits and pieces. The park first opened to the public in 1951 after repairs to the nearby Grand Lagoon Bridge made access to the park feasible.

Many centuries ago, Native Americans visited these beaches to enjoy the shellfish that abounded in the surrounding waters. Shell Island was created with the construction of the Gulf-Bay Pass in the 1930s.

If you love the water you’ll enjoy swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and canoeing at St. Andrews State Park. Two fishing piers, a jetty, and a boat ramp provide ample fishing opportunities for anglers. Two nature trails wind through a rich diversity of coastal plant communities – a splendid opportunity for bird-watching.

Those wanting to relax can sunbathe on the beach or enjoy a leisurely lunch under the shade of a picnic pavilion. 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. Shell Island Boat Tours are available during the spring and summer.

The beach consists of two and a half miles of beautiful white sand with several location from which to swim or play. There are two different parking areas in which to access the beach areas.

A popular past time at the park, take a leisurely bike ride on the park’s 2 mile paved road. To preserve the natural areas of the park, bicycles are limited to roadways and are not permitted on footpaths, boardwalks or the trail that leads to the beach.

The parks boat ramp consists of a double-sided concrete launch that will accommodate the smallest to the largest of water craft.

Shuttle boat tours are offered to go from the mainland of the park to Shell Island in spring and summer. Visitors may wish to sun or walk along the shore of this pristine barrier island. Tickets are available at the park concession.

Boating opportunities are unlimited at St. Andrews with immediate access to the Gulf of Mexico or even Shell Island.

Every Friday night from Memorial Day to Labor Day please join a Ranger at the campfire circle as they offer a very informational program on either park history or wildlife.

Two campground loops are situated in the pinewoods near Grand Lagoon. There are 176 camp sites with electricity, water, picnic tables and grills. The sites will accommodate camping units ranging in size from tents to RVs up to 40 feet in length.

Canoes and Kayaks are available via the parks camp store located just up from the boat ramp are during the summer season. Opportunities are unlimited from just paddling around Grand Lagoon or across the boat channel to Shell Island.

There are three stores in the park that are open during the summer season (March to Labor Day). These stores offers snacks, souvenirs, bait, fishing licenses, limited grocery items, and rental of chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling gear, canoes, and kayaks.

Fishing opportunities include deep-sea jetty and surf fishing. Two fishing piers and jetties provide excellent vantage points year-round. Catches include Spanish mackerel, red fish, flounder, sea trout, bonito, cobia, dolphin and bluefish. A boat ramp is located on the Grand Lagoon near the fishing pier.

There are two trails in the park to choice from, Heron Pond, and Gator Lake trails. The Heron Pond Trail takes you one a hike through the flatwood pine forest, and by the Turpentine Still. The trail at Gator Lake takes you on a scenic view of Gator Lake.

All pets must be on a 6-foot leash and well behaved at all times. There are eight pavilions on the park available for first come first serve. All pavilions have picnic tables and concrete pads.

There are three picnic areas in the park, Jetties use area, Gulf Pier use area, and at the boat basin. The only picnic area that has grills is the boat basin.