We visited Anastasia State Park right after Castillo de San Marcos and spent about an hour here. We walked out to the beach to watch the start of the sunset, then walked through the Spanish coquina quarry, where the stone for the Castillo was cut. This guide covers what to see, what it costs, and how to fit it into a St. Augustine day.

Is Anastasia State Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you are looking for a beach or just toured the Castillo de San Marcos. The quarry walk is short, the beach is 4 miles, and seeing where the stone originated ties the fort experience together. The park is on Anastasia Island, right across the water from downtown St. Augustine.

Quick Facts

Location: 300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080

Time Needed: 1-2 hours for the quarry and beach, half day to add swimming

Best For: Beach-goers, swimmers, history nerds looking for more Old Florida context

Don’t Miss: The boardwalk out to the beach

Best Time to Visit: Summer for swimming, winter for hiking

Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year

Admission: $8 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists

Official Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia

Know Before You Go

Three things worth knowing before you go. First, the quarry is separate from the park entrance. It’s just inside the front gate on the right, before the entrance station, and it has its own free parking. You only pay the $8 when you drive on to the beach.

Second, the park closes at sundown. Watching the sunset here means watching the start of it, then walking back to your car before it gets dark.

Third, the beach faces east. The sun sets behind the dunes and marsh, not over the water, so you’re watching the light and color change in the sky over the ocean.

Also, the Island Beach Shop and Island Grill both close at 5:30 p.m., so don’t plan on dinner in the park.

Overview and History Of Anastasia State Park

Anastasia State Park covers more than 1,600 acres of beach, tidal marsh, maritime hammock, and ancient dunes. The Spanish Coquina Quarries are the reason most people stop.

Coquina is a shellstone that’s soft enough to cut while it’s in the ground and hardens when it’s exposed to air. The state park says large-scale quarrying began in 1671, first with Native American labor and later with enslaved Africans and captured Europeans. The Spanish used the stone to build Castillo de San Marcos, and the quarries were added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1972. Fort Matanzas also used coquina from the island.

Best Things to Do at Anastasia State Park

My favorite ways to experience Anastasia are to go to the beach, walk the Spanish Coquina Quarry, and hike.

Beach at Anastasia State Park

Elevated boardwalks and Mobi-Mat lead to the beach, which runs 4 miles. It’s long enough to spread out, and vehicles are prohibited. The designated swimming area behind the Island Beach Shop and Grill has a lifeguard from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Rip currents may be present, so follow the posted warnings. Stay out of the dunes.

The park’s large Atlantic beach is also used for surfing.

Outdoor showers are available by the beach and Salt Run for rinsing off sand and saltwater.

Walk the Spanish Coquina Quarry

A short interpretive walk takes you through the giant swales in the dunes where the coquina was cut. Signs explain the history. It’s easy, good for kids, and makes the nearby NPS Sites make more sense.

Best Hikes at Anastasia State Park

Trail	Approx. length	Best for
Spanish Quarry	<1 mile	History
Ancient Dunes Nature Trail	<1 mile	Dunes/ecology
Anastasia Island State Park March Trail	<1 mile	Short nature walk
Cape Francis Beach Walk	6.9 miles	Long beach walk

The Spanish Quarry, Ancient Dunes Nature Trail, and Anastasia State Park March Trail are each under a mile in length and provide access to different ecosystems.

For a longer hike, check out the 6.9-mile Cape Francis Beach Walk, which runs most of the beach and explores flatland ecosystems and dunes.

Other Recreation at Anastasia State Park

This park is relatively large and has opportunities for bicycling, paddleboarding, kayaking/canoeing, and fishing. Make sure to purchase a Florida fishing license before wetting a line.

There are restrooms, playgrounds, and picnic areas.

Our Experience at Anastasia State Park

My wife and I visited immediately after touring the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and walking downtown St. Augustine. We heard that the coquina for the Castillo and Fort Matanzas National Monument was mined here, so we wanted to go see where such an unusual resource originated.

Since it was starting to get late and the park closes at sunset, we drove in and started by a walk to the beach. The beach was super nice in the winter, and would be a blast to swim at in the warmer months. The boardwalk over the dunes was very well maintained, and the dunes ecosystem was well preserved.

After walking the beach for a few minutes, we drove back out of the gate to see the Old Spanish Quarry. The trail was short and takes you right into the center of the quarry, where the coquina was mined. Given that the mining took place centuries ago, there is grass growing on top of where the stone was cut. It was neat to see where the walls of the fort came from.

We walked back to the car and headed back into town for dinner.

What We Would Do Differently

In a future visit, we would come in the fall or spring, to balance hiking weather with swimming weather. We would spend more time hiking and do the 6.9-mile beach walk before swimming.

In writing this guide, I learned that this park is home to the endangered Anastasia Island Beach Mouse. In a future visit, we will keep a sharp lookout and try to spot one of these endangered mice.

How To Visit in 1 to 1.5 Hours

• Park at the quarry before the entrance station and walk the quarry trail (20-30 mins)
• Drive through the entrance station, pay the fee, and park near the beach
• Walk the boardwalk to the beach and watch the start of the sunset before the park closes

If You Only Do One Thing

Check out the old quarry where they mined the coquina for the nearby NPS sites.

Full-Day Itinerary

If it is a time of year conducive to the beach, swimming is an easy way to extend your visit.

Otherwise, start at the Castillo de San Marcos in the morning, visit the quarry and beach here in the late afternoon, and have dinner in St. Augustine.

Where to Eat Near Anastasia State Park

My top pick nearby is Llama Restaurant, but it’s a splurge and you’ll want a reservation. Peruvian with a modern twist at 415 Anastasia Blvd, but it’s closed Tuesday and Sunday.

St. Augustine Fish Camp for Seafood with outdoor waterfront seating.

This is a good park for a picnic lunch, or you can eat at the Island Grill onsite (closes at 5:30pm).

Where to Stay Near Anastasia State Park

Anastasia State Park has 139 sites with electricity and water hookup. It also has six bungalows for glamping.

Otherwise, downtown St. Augustine has several options for chain hotels.

Tips For Visiting Anastasia State Park

Check the sunset time before you go. The park closes at sundown, so start back to the car as the light fades.

Have the entrance fee ready. It’s $8 per vehicle, or $4 if you’re alone.

Leave the dog at home if you want the beach. Pets are prohibited on the beach, in buildings, and on boardwalks.

Stay out of the dunes. Plants, animals, and park property are protected.

Swim only in designated areas. Lifeguards work from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Use the restrooms and outdoor showers near the beach. The park has three day-use restrooms at Salt Run and the beach.

Don’t try to drive on the sand. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the beach.

What to Bring to Anastasia State Park

• Walking shoes
• Water
• Food
• Bug repellant in warm weather
• Sun protection
• Money for entry

If swimming, you’ll also want:

• Swim suit
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Beach shoes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anastasia State Park worth visiting?

Yes, if you’re already in St. Augustine. The quarry and beach provide a lot of options for recreation.

Can you swim at Anastasia State Park?

Yes. Anastasia has a designated swimming area near the Island Beach Shop and Grill. Lifeguards are on duty seasonally, from Memorial Day through Labor Day

Can you watch the sunset at Anastasia State Park?

Sort of. The beach faces east, so you won’t watch the sun set over the ocean. You can watch the sky change colors over the dunes and marsh, but because the park closes at sundown, you’ll need to head back toward your car as the light fades.

Is the coquina quarry free?

Yes. The Spanish Quarry Trail has its own free parking and entry, just inside the front gate before the entrance station. You only pay park admission if you continue to the beach.

How much does Anastasia State Park cost?

The entry fee is $8 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists.

What time does Anastasia State Park close?

Sundown, every day of the year. Hours are 8 a.m. to sundown.

Can you watch the sunset at Anastasia State Park?

You can watch the start of it. The beach faces east, so the sun sets behind the dunes, and the park closes at sundown.

Are dogs allowed at Anastasia State Park?

Not on the beach, in buildings, or on boardwalks. Service animals are allowed.

Is there a lifeguard at Anastasia State Park?

Only in the designated swimming area behind the Island Beach Shop and Grill, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Can you drive on the beach at Anastasia State Park?

No. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.

How long does it take?

About 1 to 1.5 hours for the quarry and the beach.

Conclusion

Anastasia State Park combines a large, natural beach with the historic Spanish coquina quarry. If you’re already at the Castillo, it’s worth the detour to see where the stone came from. Otherwise, this state park is great for a beach day with friends and family.

Other Sights Near Anastasia State Park

• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: Located in downtown St. Augustine, this fort was built from stone mined at Anastasia.
• Fort Matanzas National Monument: Also built from coquina from Anastasia Island. Free ferry to a small watchtower, about 15 miles south of downtown.
• Washington Oaks Gardens State Park: Formal gardens and wild trails south of Fort Matanzas.