Visiting Florida's Forgotten Coast

Our Stay in Tallahassee, FL

Sunshine and Sand at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Since the temperature was around 70°F/21°C, we drove to the Gulf of Mexico to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park to enjoy this first perfect day in 2022.
T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, located on the Forgotten Coast of Florida’s panhandle, is a small stretch of shoreline between St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It was established as a state park in 1965. The park was once home to Native American tribes and functioned as a Spanish mission site in recent history.
Typically, the park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Not today. We had the seemingly endless beach with bright white sand entirely to ourselves—except for a few birds that kept us company. We enjoyed our 6-mile walk along the coast, feeling the warmth of the sun and a nice breeze on our skin. 

The park’s untouched beauty was stunning. We were so glad we had chosen to visit St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on this perfect spring day.

A Day at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

We had planned to visit St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on our way to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, but we couldn’t pay the $5 entrance fee because the visitor center was closed, and we had no cash. After contacting the refuge, we learned we could purchase an America the Beautiful annual pass at the visitor center by calling ahead and letting them know we were coming.

So, we were quickly exploring the refuge since we simply placed the new pass behind the front seat, avoiding the hassle of paying with cash or filling out forms.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful and diverse landscape with a historic lighthouse, a pristine beach, a dense forest, and a unique coastal marsh. The refuge is a paradise for various bird species year-round. We also spotted several alligators sunning themselves along the levee. One alligator looked up at us curiously, which was a bit startling!

Since 1933, the refuge has protected and conserved the area’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. As a critical habitat, it supports various endangered and threatened species. We felt blessed we had the chance to visit St. Mark. With its original and natural landscape it is really another stunning gem in Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

Date

January 31, 2022
February 2, 2022

Distance

6.26 miles
2.18+5.54 miles

Moving Time

2:02:15 hrs
0:45:55+1:52:18 hrs

Weather

Beautiful Spring Weather