Amelia Island

Amelia Island SP https://www.floridastateparks.org/amelia-island https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amelia_Island_State_Park Amelia Island State Park is located 7 miles (11 km) north of Little Talbot Island State Park on SR A1A, and 8 miles (13 km) south of Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island along the Atlantic coastal plain. This park consists of 200 acres (0.81 km2) of beaches, salt marshes and coastal maritime forests.

Florida State Parks Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks Nature & History Native Americans were the first humans to hunt and fish these barrier islands. In 1562, the French Huguenots arrived and named them the “Timucua.” Over the next 200 years, the French, English and Spanish lived here. In 1735, General James Oglethorpe named the Talbot Islands in honor of Charles Baron Talbot, Lord High Chancellor of England. In 1845, Florida became the 27th state. With five miles of beach, Little Talbot Island is a great place for observing migratory and resident shorebirds. Boardwalks cross over the swales and dunes providing access to the beach and protecting the various animals (many threatened or endangered) and numerous salt tolerant plants that live here. Big Talbot Island’s maritime hammock exhibits majestic live oaks draped in Spanish moss and an understory of saw palmetto. Coastal erosion has created the park’s famous “boneyard beach,” which is covered with the silvered skeletons of trees that once grew near the shoreline. The natural communities of Fort George Island are a reminder of how humans interacted with this environment. Shells left by ancient people created a soil that supports plants not normally found in the area. Amelia Island and the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier are an angler’s paradise. Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve protects 4,000 acres of uplands. Fire management is vital to the health of Pumpkin Hill’s natural communities. During the Civil War, Yellow Bluff Fort (actually a fortified camp) was home to the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the most celebrated regiments of black soldiers. Talbot Islands State Parks 12157 Heckscher Drive Jacksonville, FL 32226 (904) 251-2320 FloridaStateParks.org • • • • • • • • • Park Guidelines Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. Entry fee requirements vary. Additional user fees may apply. All plants, animals and park property are protected. The collection, destruction or disturbance of plants, animals or park property is prohibited. Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and well behaved at all times. Fishing, boating and fires are allowed in designated areas only. A Florida fishing license may be required. Collection of firewood and driftwood is prohibited. Fireworks and hunting are prohibited. Alcoholic beverage consumption is allowed in designated areas only. Florida’s state parks are committed to providing equal access to all facilities and programs. Should you need assistance to enable your participation, please contact the ranger station. Alternate format available upon request at any Florida state park FLORIDA State Parks Created on 11/14 Northeast Florida Talbot Islands State Parks An ecological treasure, full of recreational opportunities SM National Gold Medal Winner Florida State Parks - “America’s First Three-Time Winner” Real Fun in We invite you to explore the dynamic coastal habitats and rich cultural history at Talbot Islands State Parks. Our seven parks include: Little Talbot Island, Big Talbot Island, Amelia Island, Fort George Island, Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve, Yellow Bluff Fort, and George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier. The Talbot Islands are fun for all – canoe/kayak on peaceful tidal creeks, surf or fish. To stay a little drier, try camping, hiking, biking, birding, picnicking, horseback riding, shelling and sunbathing. Little Talbot’s campground offers 40 campsites with electricity, water, tables and fire rings. Hike with us! Little Talbot offers a short nature trail and a four-mile hiking trail; on Big Talbot you can walk Big Pine Trail to the marsh and hike Blackrock Trail to the shoreline; Pumpkin Hill has 4 multi-use trails for equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers; Fort George offers a three mile multi-use trail for hikers and bikers. Too hot or too wet? Visit the Ribault Club Visitor’s Center which has interactive exhibits depicting 6,000 years of natural and cultural history or borrow a guide from the Club or from Kingsley Plantation and drive the Saturiwa Trail. Several service providers can make your visit even more fun; rent kayaks from Kayak Amelia, ride a horse on the beach with Kelly’s Seahorse Ranch, tour the islands by Segway® with Ecomotion Tours, buy fishing supplies at the Bait & Tackle Shop and/or plan an event at the Ribault Club. Weekly interpretive programs are exciting and educational. Take time to relax and enjoy all there is to do at Talbot Islands state parks! Directions The Talbot Islands are located between Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach on highway A1A. From I-95 or 9A, take Heckscher Drive east. Follow the recreational signs to individual parks. 

Camping and Cabins Guide Florida State Parks FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Welcome When the setting sun paints the evening sky, where will you make your bed? Florida’s state parks offer you a variety of overnight accommodations. At a Florida state park, the day’s work is play, a walk on the beach, a hike through the woods, a swim, a bike ride. All you need is a fishing rod, a kayak, a book and a friend. What do you want to see when the sun rises on the new day? Choose a wooded campsite within walking distance of white sandy beaches or camp along the banks of a quietly moving river. Bring your boat or canoe, or fishing tackle and a rod, for a relaxing time with family and friends. Explore nature on the hiking trails, while at the same time leaving stress of the busy world behind. Attend a festival, a reenactment or simply do nothing. We are committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities for all visitors at Florida state parks, including campgrounds and cabins. 2 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Family Camping Florida’s state parks offer more than 50 campgrounds statewide for tents, campers and RVs. Most campsites include water, electricity, a grill and picnic table. Centralized showers, restrooms and a dump station are also available. • One responsible person, 18 or older, must be present on each campsite or cabin. • Camping fees vary from park to park and include a maximum of eight people per site, not including children under 6 years old. • Check-in time is 3 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. You are welcome to stay in the park through the end of the day. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. • Campsites are limited to two vehicles. Selected campsites may only allow one vehicle. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 3 Cabins From modern to rustic, state park cabins provide overnight accommodations in a variety of settings—near beaches, rivers and lakes or peaceful wooded communities. Cabin styles vary from fully equipped modern cabins to hand-hewn, lumber or palm-log retreats. Cabin amenities may include a kitchen, fireplace and screened porch, complete with rocking chairs and porch swings. • Cabins may be reserved for one night during the week, Monday–Thursday, or a minimum of two nights on weekends and holidays, Friday and Saturday, departing Sunday, or Saturday and Sunday, departing Monday. Some exceptions apply. • Cabins can accommodate either four or six visitors. • Check-in time is 4 p.m. Check-out time is 11 a.m. • Quiet time is from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. 4 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks • Pets are not permitted in cabins or cabin areas. • Staff may assess cabin renters a damage fee if necessary to clean-up or repair any damage beyond ordinary cleaning, wear and tear. Fees may also be charged for lost/stolen items. Group, Primitive, Equestrian and Boat Many parks offer areas for youth and group camping. Backpackers may wish to hike to secluded areas for primitive camping. More than 15 state parks offer campsites and other amenities for equestrians and their horses. Owners of horses visiting state parks must provide proof of a negative Coggins test. Call the park to discuss availability, facilities, rules and fees. Five state parks provide boat slips with water and electricity. Boaters have access to the state park’s restrooms, showers, pump-outs and other amenities. Boaters can also anchor overnight at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks 5 Camping with Pets and Service Animals Pets are welcome at most Florida State Parks. Some campgrounds have designated sites for pets. All pets must be confined, leashed or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Leashes may not exceed six feet in length. Pets must be well behaved. Owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Pets are not permitted on beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, park buildings or concession facilities. Individual parks may have specific areas prohibiting pets. Service animals in a working capacity are allowed in all public areas of state parks when accompanied by a visitor with a disability. Service animals should be harnessed, leashed or tethered unless such a device interferes with the service animal’s work or the visitor’s disability prevents the use of these devices. 6 FloridaStateParks.org • #FLStateParks Reservations Campsite and cabin reservations may be made from one day to 11 months in advance by calling (800) 326-3521, (866) I CAMP FL or TDD (888) 433-0287 or by visiting FloridaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com. Call the park directly to reserve group or primitive campsites. Prices per night: Campsites $16 to $42 Cabins $30 to $160 Visitors pay a reservation fee of $6.70 *Prices subject to change. A 50 percent discount on base campsite fees is available to Florida citizens who are 65 years old or older, or Florida c