Parks & Sites

Alligator Point

Bald Point State Park
146 Box Cut Road / 850-349-9146
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Some of the most picturesque areas along north Florida’s Gulf Coast are found within the park which supports 4,065 upland acres. Located on Alligator Point, where Ochlockonee Bay meets Apalachee Bay, Bald Point offers a multitude of land and water activities. Coastal marshes, pine flatwoods, and oak thickets foster a diversity of biological communities that make the park a popular destination for birding and wildlife viewing. Each fall bald eagles and other migrating raptors, along with monarch butterflies, are commonly seen heading south for the winter. Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. Facilities include a fishing dock and picnic pavilions.

Apalachicola

Chapman Botanical Gardens
177 Fifth Street / 850-653-1209
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The Botanical Gardens honor Dr. Alvin Chapman. Enjoy the butterfly garden, other botanical features, walkways and open spaces.

Riverfront Park
Water Street
Set on the Apalachicola River where fishing boats dock, this park provides the setting for many community events including the annual arrival of Santa Claus on a shrimp boat, summer concerts and benefits.

Scipio Creek Boat Basin
479 Market Street
Locally known as the Mill Pond, it is the site of a former saw mill where lumber was floated from up river and milled. It is currently a commercial fishing marina and park and home to the monthly farmers market.

St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
479 Market Street / 850-653-8808
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The St. Vincent Island National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center features interpretive displays and information about St. Vincent Island.

Lafayette Park
Avenue B
Established in 1832, the park was named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. Renovated in 1992, it is now the site of open-air concerts and weddings and has interpretive signage, picnic tables, children’s playground and fishing pier.

Battery Park Marina
Bay Avenue
Battery Park is located at the foot of the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge on Bay Avenue, between 4th and 6th Streets, in downtown Apalachicola. The public park offers boat launch ramps, fishing piers and children’s playground.

Seafood Landing Park
628 West Highway 98
The Franklin County Seafood Landing Park is located near the westerly entrance into Apalachicola on US Highway 98. This park features a concrete boat launch ramp, restrooms, covered picnic tables, grills and a nature observation dock.

Carrabelle

World’s Smallest Police Station
105 St. James Avenue
In the early 1960’s, Carrabelle’s police phone was located in a call box that was bolted to a building at the corner of Hwy. 98 and Tallahassee Street. It has been featured on the television shows “Real People,” “Ripley’s Believe It or Not,” and the “Today Show.” We invite you to stop by and take your picture in front of the original World’s Smallest Police Station!

Carrabelle Riverwalk & Wharf
Marine Street
The Carrabelle Riverwalk & Wharf features informational kiosks outlining Carrabelle’s waterfront history, a cement boat launch ramp, handicap accessible fishing piers, fish cleaning stations and pavilion with picnic tables.

Carrabelle Veteran’s Park
St. James Avenue
Located on Highway 98 in the center of Carrabelle. Come and pay your respects to the veterans of Carrabelle.

John David Patton Wildlife Park
Highway 67
Amenities include nature trails, educational signage, picnic facilities and restrooms. This park offers birders and nature enthusiasts a perfect place to relax.

Island View Park
Highway 98
This seven-acre park, just east of Carrabelle, consists of two fishing piers, boardwalks, benches, and porch-style swings. There are no bathroom facilities, but there is a port-a-let available on site.

Sands Memorial Park
St. James Avenue
Located on the east side of Carrabelle on Highway 98. Amenities include children’s play area, pavilion and restrooms.

Tillie Miller Park
102 Northwest Avenue F
Amenities include children’s play area, tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic pavilion and restrooms.

Will Kendrick Sports Complex
1601 Ken Cope Avenue
State-of-the-art sports facility located east of Carrabelle off Highway 98. Includes ball fields, walking trail, playground and basketball court.

Eastpoint

Fort Gadsden
Apalachicola National Forest / 850-643-2282
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Located on the east bank of the Apalachicola River, approximately 45 minutes north of Eastpoint, accessed by State Highway 65. This site played an important role in early US history. Earthen embankments and detailed interpretive kiosks remain today. The site interprets the role of Native and African Americans during the early 1800s. The area also features detailed information about the site and its history, along with trails, river access, and a picnic area.

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR)
108 Island Drive / 850-670-7700
The ANERR Visitor Center is located off Island Drive in Eastpoint, near the bridge to St. George Island. Encompassing over 246,000 acres in Apalachicola Bay, the reserve is the second largest estuarine research reserve system in the nation. Educational center features exhibits on the flora and fauna of the area, giant live fish tanks, video, and a ½ scale model oyster boat.

Ralph G. Kendrick Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk
Tate’s Hell State Forest / 850-697-3734
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This one-of-a-kind oddity is a bowl-shaped depression in the forest covering dozens of acres. From Eastpoint head east on U.S. Highway 98. Turn left on John Allen Road and left on Dry Bridge Road. The area features dwarf cypress that never grew more than about 15’ tall. These trees are documented to be over 150 years old but only reached a stunted mature height, hence the name “dwarf cypress”. They are also referred to as “miniature” or “hat-rack” cypress. The Ralph G. Kendrick Boardwalk offers an observation tower overlooking one of the most prolific areas, with interpretive panels and picnic tables.

Indian Creek Park
93 North Bayshore Drive
Indian Creek Park is located on five-acres on Indian Creek that leads to Apalachicola Bay East. Features a boat launch ramp, children’s playground and covered picnic tables.

Marion Millender Park
Millender Street
Located on St. George Sound at Patton Drive and Millender Street adjacent to the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve. This park features lush oak canopies, covered picnic tables and grills.

St. George Island

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
1900 East Gulf Beach Drive / 850-927-2111
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In 2011, Dr. Beach voted St. George Island State Park beach the #6 best beach in the nation! Nine miles of undeveloped beaches on this barrier island provide the perfect setting for nature lovers. This park offers ample recreation opportunities, including birding, fishing and swimming. The park has several large picnic shelters equipped with grills, tables and nearby restrooms.