Whether Camping or Visiting for a Day, Here are some Enjoyable Camping Activities while Visiting St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

So, its time for the annual camping trip to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Everything is packed and ready to go. Or, while renting a home on Cape San Blas, family or friends decide to go visit St. Joseph Peninsula State Park for a day. Either way, whether camping in the park or just making it a day’s event, it’s time to explore and make some great memories. So, what are some of the activities that campers can enjoy while visiting St. Joseph Peninsula State Park? Here are a few…

Hiking Nature Trails
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park taunts 3 different trails for people to explore: The Maritime Hammock Trail, the Bay View Nature Trail and the Wilderness Preserve Trail. Each trail brings the hiker into contact with a different, but pristine, aspect of nature.

Plant Identification
Along the hiking trails, why not keep the mind as active as the body by playing a little game of plant IDing? This no doubt will keep the conversations active and informative as well. Occasionally, along the hiking trails, markers are posted that identify certain types of botany.

Bird Watching
From the majestic Bald Eagle to the Wise Owl, the shear variety of birds is fascinating. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is documented as being the most documented shorebird nesting beach in the Panhandle of Florida.

Fishing
OK, so this one is a no brainer. Still, the variety of tasty fish that can be caught are abundant. These include Speckled Trout, Red Drum, Flounder, Mullet, Bluefish, Whiting and Shark, just to name a few. Whether these are fried, grilled, baked or blackened, dinner is sure to be delicious!

Canoeing and Kayaking
Explore the waters as much as the nature trails! St. Joseph Peninsula State Park has plenty of areas in which canoes and kayaks can be launched into the Bay or the Gulf. The easiest way is to just take the canoe or kayak straight to the Gulf or the Bay and go from there. Or, a person can launch the vessel from Eagle Harbor, the Bay View Picnic area, etc.

Boating
Boating is a very popular activity at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Boats can be launched at Eagle Harbor.

Scuba Diving
There is awesome scuba diving off-shore. There are many artificial reefs and wrecks in the Gulf of Mexico. A person can spear fish, lobster, etc.

Scalloping
Truly one of the most coveted and exciting activities to do in the Bay is scalloping! Between July 1-around the 3rd week of September, Scallop Season is in full swing. This should be on the must do list for campers! Glide through the waters and observe some of the most beautiful and fascinating underwater species. Comb through the sea grass and find Rays, Sea Horses, Spider Crabs, Puffer Fish, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. There is not limit to the sea life that is located in the Bay or Gulf.

Shelling
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park can be a shell pickers paradise! Literally, tons of shells can be washed onto the shore. Comb through the shells to find the perfect one!

Watching Wildlife
St. Joseph Peninsula State Park is full of wonderful wildlife. There are Deer, Bobcats, Foxes, Otters, Raccoons, Squirrels, Opossum, Coyotes, Armadillo, etc.

Bicycling
There are 4 miles of road in the park for cyclists to enjoy. Plus, there is a 10 mile bike path located long the entire peninsula.

S’mores Contest
This both satisfies someone’s literal hunger and hunger for competition. Delish!

Playground
Located at the Bay View area is a playground for the kids and a picnic shelter for the parents to watch the kids.

Picnicking
There is a large picnic pavilion and smaller picnic pavilions for campers to utilize. The Bay View picnic area provides access to the mile-long Bay View Trail, has a large picnic shelter for family gatherings, a large playground, canoe/kayak launch and restrooms. The picnic area at Eagle Harbor provides small picnic shelters, restrooms, boat ramp and access to the beach and bay.

Horseback Riding
Cape San Blas is one of the few places where horseback riding is permitted on the beach and a unique feature to add to any camping trip. Contact Broke-A-Toe for details about adding horseback riding to the camping itinerary.

Have Fun!