Little Talbot Island State Park

Dunes, tropical forests, beaches, and more await at the lovely Little Talbot Island State Park.

Little Talbot Island is one of a handful of undeveloped barrier islands remaining in Northeast Florida. It’s a tropical and remote escape from the busy city and is only 30 minutes north of downtown Jacksonville. This state park is home to five miles of untouched beaches, three miles of bike trails, and a 4-mile hike along the bluffs and ocean. It costs $5 to enter the park and it’s the perfect spot to spend the day picnicking, swimming, hiking, and biking. There are also campsites available. I recommend parking in the North Beach Pavilion Area. From there, you can access restrooms, showers, paths to the beach, picnic tables, and the Dune Ridge trailhead. The Dune Ridge Trail is a 4-mile loop that takes you through a tropical forest, sand dunes, and then out to the beach. Once the path arrives at the beach, it’s a mile and a half walk back to the parking lot. This area of the beach is especially full of seashells and if you’re lucky, sharks’ teeth.