Big Talbot Island State Park
Big Talbot Island State Park
4.5
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
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- Stephen KCorpus Christi, Texas2,792 contributionsSign for “Boneyard” Beach says “The Bluffs Scenic Shoreline Picnic Area”.Easy to miss - just south of the fishing pier bridge; the sign does not say Boneyard Beach. Rather, it says “The Bluffs Scenic Shoreline Picnic Area. At the entrance is an unmanned kiosk which includes an envelope for visitors to pay a $3 entry fee per car. This is a great bargain. On the eastern-most portion of the parking area is an overlook deck to view the beach with the dead trees. Continue on 50 yards or so for the trailhead to the beach. You will walk 0.4 mile down the trail to the beach. Definitely worth it.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 16, 2024
- jcnungesterGreenwood, Indiana151 contributionsFun little visitPretty cool place to check out. It’s kind of “off the beaten path.” It’s quiet and peaceful. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the beach area but the walk is not rugged at all. Pretty much completely flat with some twists and turns. Beach is interesting with all the trees. Interesting to see for sure. Worth a visit to see something different and take in a nice peaceful walk.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 20, 2024
- Valerie GNorth Port, Florida288 contributionsBeautiful State ParkOne of the most beautiful Florida State Parks! My kids were amazed at the natural beauty here. A wonderful place to spend the day with lots to see and explore. Would definitely recommend this spot for anyone vacationing in the area. As Floridians that have seen most of the state, we were very impressed at how beautiful this State Park was.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 10, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
314 reviews
Excellent
230
Very good
68
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
2
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL5,496 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visited Big Talbot Island SP on a cold day in February. We hiked out to Boneyard Beach where the ocean and storms have brought down many trees making them look like giant bones. The wind was blasting the beach and the surf was impressive. Make sure to check the tide times as at high tide the water can push up to the bluffs potentially cutting off parts of the beach. There isn’t much heading north up the beach. I recommend heading south down the beach as that was were the most impressive trees were. It was fun trying to find paths through the trees. It was a most impressive sight to see. There were a number of dogs on the beach (there are rules in place prohibiting dogs on the beach) and some of them were chewing on the driftwood. This needs to stop as it damages the awesome landscape. This is a must-see place when in the area!
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dwight K
Middleburg, FL112 contributions
Oct 2021
We went to Boneyard Beach on Big Talbot Island in October, and experienced a unique beach unlike any we've seen before. It is full of petrified trees that have eroded and washed onto shore, and provides a really interesting landscape. It’s a bit of a hike to get there from the small parking lot (about 15-minute walk) through the woods. The beach is not for swimming, but it's definitely worth the time to see. You won't forget it.
Written October 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jane572018
Gwinn, MI43 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
We biked the paved trail twice and it is very nice. Also walked to Black Rock Beach twice and enjoyed it both times. The walk to the beach is about a mile round trip on a wide path. Beware that there are small tics -the humans in our party didn’t find any on them but our Yorkie had 4 after he walked the path. (He had his Frontline working so they were on the surface and easily removed). Don’t keep this from going there-it is a must do activity when in the area.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen K
Corpus Christi, TX2,792 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Easy to miss - just south of the fishing pier bridge; the sign does not say Boneyard Beach. Rather, it says “The Bluffs Scenic Shoreline Picnic Area. At the entrance is an unmanned kiosk which includes an envelope for visitors to pay a $3 entry fee per car. This is a great bargain. On the eastern-most portion of the parking area is an overlook deck to view the beach with the dead trees. Continue on 50 yards or so for the trailhead to the beach. You will walk 0.4 mile down the trail to the beach. Definitely worth it.
Written February 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
devilish_patsy
Plantation, FL246 contributions
Jun 2020
Boneyard Beach on Big Talbot Island
On a recent visit to my son in Jax, we took advantage of the weather and headed out to Boneyard Beach. Beautiful little area nestled on Big Talbot Island.
To get to the beach you walk about a 1/2 mile through dense forest. Wear bug screen....I got bit in the middle of the day! Once at the beach, the water temps were heavenly, like bathwater. It was wonderful to see the signage for nesting turtles. We also walked a little further and saw plenty of nesting birds, that was great. One curiosity, loads of little crabs in a separate area....all over the place. That was cool to see.
Great beach, an unknown charm and not crowded!
On a recent visit to my son in Jax, we took advantage of the weather and headed out to Boneyard Beach. Beautiful little area nestled on Big Talbot Island.
To get to the beach you walk about a 1/2 mile through dense forest. Wear bug screen....I got bit in the middle of the day! Once at the beach, the water temps were heavenly, like bathwater. It was wonderful to see the signage for nesting turtles. We also walked a little further and saw plenty of nesting birds, that was great. One curiosity, loads of little crabs in a separate area....all over the place. That was cool to see.
Great beach, an unknown charm and not crowded!
Written June 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy N
Kissimmee, FL766 contributions
Mar 2022
It’s easy to see why it’s called boneyard beach. The magnificent scenery of many gigantic skeletons of petrified old oak and cedar trees lay scattered along the beach. Sun-bleached by the elements of windblown sand and heavy surf has removed the bark and exposed the roots. This wild landscape of natural shifting sands and exposed trees appears otherworldly. Walking the beach is serene and peaceful at any time of the year. We saw only one other couple. The picnic area is a sweet spot to have lunch or a snack. Great for taking pictures.
Written March 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexis B
Pittsburgh, PA946 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
One of the secret findings in Big Talbot Island State Park is the Boneyard Beach. It’s such a photogenic area that it’s much more stunning when seen in person than in pictures. It’s truly like being in a dream when you walk through the beach and the scattered dead trees throughout. There isn’t a lot of people who know about it, so you’ll find yourself strolling along and taking in the breathtaking scenery. I had to go there twice during my stay in Amelia island. Loved every minute!
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YankeeinFL
Lakeland, FL79 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
My wife and I visited Boneyard Beach on Big Talbot Island back in May. It’s a very unique place. Parking is limited to about 15 parking spaces in the north “lot”. We had no issues with finding a spot in the small lot. There is an honor box in the parking lot to pay. We paid. It’s about a 15 minute walk through the woods from the parking lot to Boneyard Beach. It’s a bit of a buggy walk. Boneyard Beach gets its name from the many fallen trees on the beach and in the water. Big Talbot Island is subject to storms, high winds and shifting tides which knock down the trees. In fact because of shifting sands Little Talbot Island is now larger than Big Talbot Island. Boneyard Beach is completely primitive. There are no restrooms or concessions at Boneyard Beach or the parking lot so plan accordingly. You don’t need to spend all day at Boneyard Beach.
Written July 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SH
Tampa, FL143 contributions
Jun 2021
Boneyard Beach is a must visit. We went in the morning after a holiday, so parking was a breeze. There's a 1/3 mile winding trail through trees that leads you to the beach itself. We spent over an hour just walking around, taking pictures, even dipping in the water briefly. Seeing both the trees growing out of the water and the oaks mid-transformation where the sand meets the cliffs were fascinating.
The one negative was the overflowing porta potties, though a ranger told us they've had trouble with the company they contract with to clean them, so hopefully they'll be able to replace them sooner rather than later.
The one negative was the overflowing porta potties, though a ranger told us they've had trouble with the company they contract with to clean them, so hopefully they'll be able to replace them sooner rather than later.
Written June 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arkansastraveler69
Cabot, AR258 contributions
Apr 2021
Something for everyone. Pet friendly. Great board walk. Paved biking trails. Good birding and nature observation venues. The only negative is for all Florida State Parks. You have to pay to use them. $4 per person PER PARK !!! We live in a State where the Parks are free to the public .... as all should be sine we have already paid for them with high taxes! We have also visited States where your paid pass for one park is good at all others for the same day.
Written April 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can't post website links in Trip Advisor answers. Go figure.
Google link for Florida State Parks official Pet policy
floridastateparks PetPolicy with words big talbot state park
You will find the link to general pet policy that also applies to big talbot.
in brief...Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Big Talbot Island State Park on all nature trails, hiking trails and picnic areas. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and cannot be left unattended.
Seems like if you can keep the pets out of the cabins and state park housing, you can keep them in your own.
Written July 6, 2019
How is the bug situation? Planning to take grandkids, will go prepared with spray just wondering how fierce the sand gnats and mosquitoes are now?
Thanks
Written June 26, 2019
We went in the month of August. No gnats, just some mosquitos mainly walking through the wooded paths to the beach. We got up early to catch the sunrise there ... so we didn’t even think of repellent! It was breathtaking!! Well worth a visit
Written August 16, 2019
Talbot Is park is in the middle between Amelia Is and Jacksonville. Getting there from I295 you will pass several restaurants, the ferry and a must stop the plantation and you will be 15 min from the park. If you go north , you are 20 min away from Amelia Is with wonderful shops and restaurants. Have fun!
Written June 18, 2018
Only on the trails not on the beaches because of the migrating birds.
Written August 15, 2018
badash73
Coconut Creek, Florida
Is there access to Boneyard Beach before/after hours? I want to get there early for sunrise photography, and the park website lists it as only opening at 8am.
Written May 20, 2015
badash73
Coconut Creek, Florida
Is there access to Boneyard Beach before/after hours? I want to get there early for sunrise photography, and the park website lists it as only opening at 8am.
Written May 20, 2015
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