We visited Washington Oaks Gardens after Fort Matanzas National Monument and spent about 2 hours here. We walked the Gardens Trail, hiked the Jungle Road and Timucuan loop, and browsed Second Saturday plant sale, where we bought a stick cactus. We ate lunch at the food trucks set up for the sale. This guide covers what to see, what it costs, and how to work the plant sale into your trip.

Is Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Worth Visiting?

Yes, especially if you like a mix of manicured gardens and wild Florida. The formal gardens were well kept, and the Jungle Road and Timucuan trails were very natural. For $5 per vehicle you get roses, azaleas, a 200-to-300-year-old oak, and coastal hammock trails in one stop.

Who should skip it: if you want a swimming beach (the beach is coquina rock), a long hike (the trail system is 1.7 miles), or a garden visit with a dog (pets aren’t allowed in the gardens).

Quick Facts

Location: 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd., Palm Coast, FL 32137, about 2 miles south of Marineland on A1A

Time Needed: 1-2 hours

Best For: Families, plant owners, garden enjoyers, people looking to extend a trip to Fort Matanzas

Don’t Miss: The trails and plant sales

Best Time to Visit: Winter

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

Admission: $5 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and extra passengers. Pay at the honor box with exact change.

Official Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/washington-oaks-gardens-state-park

Overview and History of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Industrialist Owen D. Young bought the property in 1936 and gave it to his wife, Louise Powis Clark. The two designed the gardens, mixing native and exotic plants with Asian influences, and their house (built 1938) is now the visitor center. Mrs. Young donated the property to Florida in 1964.

The name comes from an early owner, surveyor George Washington, said to be a distant relative of the president.

Best Things to Do at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Washington Oaks Gardens is really several experiences in one park. The formal gardens sit on the Matanzas River side of A1A, while the Bella Vista trails wind through coastal hammock and the rocky Atlantic beach is directly across the road. You can spend an hour touring the gardens or combine the gardens, trails, and beach for a longer visit.

A personal favorite is the plant sale on second Saturdays. This is also a good park for a picnic.

The Gardens Trail

Footpaths wind past reflection ponds, roses (the park lists 150 rose bushes), azaleas, camellias, and bird of paradise. The Washington Oak, estimated at 200 to 300 years old, anchors the middle. The absolute peak of flowers and growth is in March. To take it all in slowly takes around 30 minutes.

Jungle Road and Timucuan Trail

The Bella Vista system is 1.7 miles total, made up of the Timucuan hiking trail, Jungle Road (hike and bike), and Old A1A (hike and bike). It runs through mature coastal maritime hammock, and the trail head is at the northern edge of the gardens. Florida Trail Association volunteers maintain it. Leashed dogs are allowed here, and we found yaupon holly and wild native coffee.

Mala Compra Loop

This half-mile loop is an easy add, looping through to tidal marsh along the Matanzas River. Hike this trail for the quickest way to add wild scenery to a garden visit.

Coquina Rock Beach

The beach is across A1A from the gardens and runs about three-quarters of a mile. Rocks carved into swirls and bowls line the shore. The lot holds about 30 cars, and there’s an accessible portable toilet at the beach. Low tide is the best time to see tide pools. High tide brings waves crashing on the rocks. This beach is more for wading than swimming, and given that we visited in the winter, we skipped it.

Second Saturday Plant Sale

The Friends of Washington Oaks run the sale on the second Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. They sell plants described as hard to find. We were very surprised at the low prices and quality of plants when we visited for the Holiday in the Gardens.

Other Things to Do

There is a picnic pavilion with 10 tables, 3 grills, reservable at 386-447-1553), a playground, and fishing from the seawall and surf with a Florida saltwater license. A one-hour First Friday Garden Walk runs at 10 a.m.

Know Before You Go

• Pets aren’t allowed in the gardens or on the beach, but leashed dogs can hike the trails.
• Make sure to bring exact change for the honor box in case the guard shack is not manned.
• Events may be canceled for weather or hurricanes.
• This isn’t really a swimming beach, as the rocks are sharp and slippery.

Our Experience at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

My wife and I stopped here after seeing the signs for the Holiday in the Gardens in the morning on the way to Fort Matanzas. It is only a few miles away, so it was easy to backtrack after returning from the Fort Matanzas ferry. We noticed a ton of cars, but there was easy overflow parking.

We started at the gift shop, which was pretty crowded. The plant sale surprised us, and we got a medium-sized stick cactus for our pool enclosure for $6. We ate lunch at the food trucks and picnic tables set up for the sale before taking the plant back to the car.

Walking the gardens was calm despite the people. It was like a smaller, coastal version of Bok Tower Gardens, and all the plants were maintained. The Mala Compra Loop brought us to the river to see boats and rocky beaches.

We finished off with the Jungle Road and Timucuan loop, which was very natural and contrasted with the well-kept gardens. We saw a mix of ecosystems, from woods to scrub.

My wife and I spent the evening at the Nights of Lights, then saw the Castillo de San Marcos and Anastasia State Park the following day.

How To Visit in 2 Hours

• Pay the fee and park near the gardens
• Explore the Gardens Trail
• Hike the Jungle Road and Timucuan Loop
• Plant sale and lunch (if second Saturday)

If You Only Do One Thing

Walk the gardens, then take the Timucuan Trail for the wild half.

Full-Day Itinerary

You don’t need a full day here.

Start at Fort Matanzas National Monument and ride the ferry and explore the park. Come to Washington Oaks Gardens and follow the two-hour itinerary.

Finish the day in St. Augustine, and explore the Castillo de San Marcos.

Where to Eat Near Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Eat at the food trucks if you go for the Holiday in the Park like we did. Otherwise, lunch on the water at the nearby St. Augustine Fish Camp is fantastic.

Where to Stay Near Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

There is no camping inside the park, so plan to stay in St. Augustine.

Tips For Visiting Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

There are restrooms at the visitor center and throughout the park.

Dogs are not allowed in the gardens or on the beach. They can hike the trails and picnic area if on a leash. Service animals are allowed everywhere.

When to Visit Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Fall through spring are the most comfortable, with temperatures in the 60s to 80s. March is peak garden season.

What to Bring to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

• Bug spray if warm weather
• Water
• Sun protection
• Hiking or walking shoes
• Cash for the honor box
• Money for the plant sale
• Box to keep plants upright in your car

Fees & Reservations

Entry is $5 at the gate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Washington Oaks cost?

$5 per vehicle, $4 for one person in a car, and $2 for pedestrians and cyclists.

What are the hours?

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

How long does Washington Oaks take?

One hour for the gardens and a short walk. About 2 hours with the trails and the plant sale.

When is the plant sale?

The second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 386-446-6780 to confirm.

Is the park accessible?

The gardens and visitor-center area are substantially easier to navigate than the natural trails. The Jungle and Timucuan trails include natural surfaces and are not the same experience as the maintained garden paths. The beach is across A1A and has rocky terrain.

Are dogs allowed?

On hiking and bike trails and in the picnic area, leashed. Not in the gardens or on the beach.

Can you swim at Washington Oaks?

It’s not recommended. The beach is rocky with no lifeguards. Wade and explore the tide pools instead.

When is the best time to see the rocks?

Low tide for tide pools, high tide for crashing waves.

How long are the trails?

The Bella Vista system (Timucuan, Jungle Road, Old A1A) is 1.7 miles. Mala Compra is half a mile.

Can I bike here?

Yes, on Jungle Road and Old A1A.

Can you fish at Washington Oaks Gardens?

Yes. You mention fishing from the seawall and surf, with a Florida saltwater fishing license required. This is a useful addition for your outdoorsman audience.

What is the beach like at Washington Oaks Gardens?

It’s a rocky coquina shoreline rather than a typical sandy swimming beach. Low tide is useful for exploring tide pools, while higher water can produce larger waves against the rocks.

Conclusion

Washington Oaks Gardens is an inexpensive and relaxing way to combine formal gardens, Florida trails, and a rocky Atlantic shoreline in one stop. We spent about two hours here, and the contrast between the manicured gardens and natural trails was the highlight for us. If you’re interested in plants, planning your visit around the second Saturday plant sale can make the trip even more worthwhile.

Other Sights Near Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

• Fort Matanzas National Monument: Roughly 6 miles north on A1A. Free ferry to a 1740s coquina watchtower.
• Marineland: About 2 miles north on A1A.
• Flagler Beach: About 12 miles south.
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: In downtown St. Augustine, roughly 20 miles north.
• Anastasia State Park: The Spanish coquina quarry that supplied stone for the Castillo.