Amelia Island State Park

An easy 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 Real Florida. Visitors can stroll along the beach, look for shells and sharks teeth, or watch the wildlife. Fishermen can surf fish along the shoreline or they can wet their lines from the mile-long George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier spanning Nassau Sound. On the Line Bait and Tackle Shop is now officially open for visitors, offering a great variety of fishing bait and tackle supplies, snacks, and refreshments. They are open Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. and are closed on Tuesdays. Visitors can contact them at 904-624-7293.

Amelia Island is the only Florida state park that offers horseback riding on its beaches! Riding the beach at Amelia Island has been a favorite pastime of visitors for years. Today, Kelly Seahorse Ranch - the visitor service provider - offers all the horseback riding fun that guests could want. For horseback tour reservations, contact Kelly Seahorse Ranch at 904-491-5166. Tours are given four times daily.

We welcome you to visit all seven of the parks which collectively comprise Talbot Islands State Parks: Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, Fort George Island Cultural State Park, Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park, Big Talbot Island State Park and George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park.

Experiences

Bicycling
The paved Timucuan Trail bike path at the park connects the northern six-mile segment to Peters Point Park on Amelia Island with the A1A driving bridge that crosses the Nassau Sound to Big Talbot Island and an additional 4 miles of off road trail. Bicyclists can park at Amelia Island to ride either south or north along the trail. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

Birding
Amelia Island State Park is one of the premier sites along the eastern section of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Shorebirds such as least terns, piping plovers, wilson’s plovers, willets and black skimmers feed and rest along the shoreline. Overhead, osprey, pelicans and royal terns grace the skies. During winter and early spring, Bald Eagles may be seen fishing these waters. During the spring and summer, shorebirds such as the least tern and wilson's plover nest on the sandy beaches. Seasonal beach closures, especially at the southern point, are in effect during the months of March - September to safeguard the nesting parents and their vulnerable chicks. Bring your binoculars and your bird check list on your visit.

Fishing
Nassau Sound is one of the best fishing areas in northeast Florida and home to the state record flounder. Fishing is popular from the shore of Amelia Island State Park as well as from the adjacent George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park that spans Nassau Sound. The fishing pier is closed to vehicle traffic and offers the bridge angler a mile of pier to wet their line in hopes of catching the next record fish or tonight's dinner. Many different species of fish, such as whiting, redfish, flounder, speckled sea trout, jacks, and tarpon can be caught.

Redfish and speckled sea trout are available throughout the year, but higher numbers are available in the spring and fall. Popular baits, including mullet and shrimp, can be caught along the shoreline using a cast-net. Artificial baits are also very popular. Along the south end of the fishing bridge, several small grass flats hold a wide variety of fish. Tarpon follow the fall mullet run into Nassau Sound and gorge themselves before continuing their migration to more southern waters.

All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.  A fishing license may be required.  More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Paddling
Kayak Amelia is Amelia Island State Park's canoe and kayak visitor service provider. Located on AIA between Little Talbot and Big Talbot Island about six miles south of Amelia Island State Park, Kayak Amelia offers everything from basic rentals to special focus guided trips. The facility provides local information including maps, safety information and recommended routes for the experience you desire. Inside the concession, you'll find snacks and drinks, restrooms and souvenirs. Canoe and kayak rentals are available on-site or bring your own and utilize their hand launch ramp ($1 per person fee).

Kayak Amelia's guided paddles include birding paddles, tai-chi paddles, sunset and full-moon paddles, and special focus paddles. All guided trips include instruction, snack and interpretation. Long Island Outfitters is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm throughout the year, but is closed on Wednesdays, December through February. For additional information contact Kayak Amelia at 904-251-0016 or the Ranger Station at Little Talbot Island State Park (904-251-2320).

Picnicking
The sunny shores of Amelia Island State Park are the perfect place for a picnic. Pack your lunch and eat on the beach or use the picnic table located next to the Bait and Tackle restrooms.

Shelling
Shelling is a favorite pastime of many visitors and the beaches of Ameila Island are a great place to find them. Collectors can find a multitude of species, including clam, scallop, oyster, and periwinkle. Plan your shelling around the low phase of the tide, which exposes the most beach area. Search in the "shell line" where the highest waves stop as they come upon the beach and deposit groups of shells.

Wildlife Viewing
Amelia Island State Park is the perfect place for viewing shore birds. Black Skimmers, piping plovers, terns (including the threatened least tern), brown pelicans, and many other birds can be observed in the park. You may even catch a glimpse of a rare right whale or a Bald Eagle during the winter and early spring. Please obey posted signs that protect critical shore bird nesting areas.Amelia Island State Park is one of the premier along the eastern section of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Amelia Island State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to all of its visitors. Those amenities include:

Accessible picnic area
Kelly Sea Horse Ranch concessionaire can accommodate some riders’ disabilities
Large-print formats of park information and brochures

Beach
Amelia Island State Park offers over 200 acres of undeveloped sea island recreational opportunities. This beach is a perfect place to relax and unwind, search for seashells, surf fish, and possibly view some rare wildlife, such as the right whale or the piping plover.

Equestrian Trail
Contact the ranger station at 904-251-2320.

Shower Station
An outdoor shower is located adjacent to the Bait and Tackle restrooms.