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Florida (FL)
Jacksonville
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Big Talbot Island State Park
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Big Talbot Island State Park

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Big Talbot Island State Park
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
305 reviews
Excellent
222
Very good
68
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
2
SK Traveler
High Springs, FL190 contributions
Don't skip a visit to Big Talbot Island State Park, it's a tucked away jewel!
Jul 2020
The stunning colors of Florida perform in synchronicity in this unspoiled gem of a park. Crabs dancing and even jumping from the water in shades of orange and blue. Dragonflies dance among the wildflowers in their best bright blue attire along white-sand beaches littered with soft driftwood and stones that meet the oceans lapping waves. I'm excited about this park. As you pull into the carpark, beauty awaits as the welcoming shade of towering oak trees envelopes you in what feels like a secret garden. There is scenic picnic area in the middle of the parking lot with many picnic tables shaded by towering oak trees, such a beautiful spot to soak in the beautiful forest and listen to the singing birds and insects without even hitting the trails. However the trails are a must for those able. The path is wide and meanders to an opening of breathtaking, virgin beach. We rode our bikes, however walking is probably even better to really soak in the cacophony of native Florida fauna showing off along the way. Explore the beach on foot, in your chair, with you eyes, with your ears; smell it taste it , feel it, take it with you when you leave! We had a great time exploring on foot, going left from the trail toward the bridge of bustling cars there is an interesting wetland area filled with feathered waders poised with their eyes focused on the mirrored water where they pluck nibbles out with amazing speed, grace and accuracy. During our visit we were treated with a bright pink Roseate Spoonbill; a visual feast. There were also many orange and blue crabs in the shallows that we dubbed "gator crabs" in recognition of UF Gators who sport the same colors in nearby Gainesville. Careful they jump! Next we biked to Blacrock or Boneyyard beach, depending who you ask to see a beach unlike any other this Florida Crackers has ever experienced. The shoreline looks like a rocky uplift though these rocks are not what they seem and are actually made of sandy; interesting indeed. Visitors to the area often leave behind fun carvings in these sand rocks, you won't be disappointed here.
Written September 4, 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.
Japruzze
Enfield, CT398 contributions
Stunning Location
Sep 2021 • Couples
Visited the Boneyard Beach. It was beautiful. The petrified trees presented a stunning foreground for the blue of the ocean. Very unusual. It’s a bit of a hike through the woods to get there. Bring bug spray! I didn’t and I was bitten pretty bad. It’s not a layout and swim beach but worth the trip.
Written September 28, 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.
Dwight K
Middleburg, FL122 contributions
A beach unlike any you've seen before...
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.
Wendy N
Kissimmee, FL655 contributions
Boneyard beach Amazing!
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.
mamathoma
Ada, MI245 contributions
Florida nature at its finest
Feb 2020
Husband and I walked the Blackrock beach trail to see the black rocks and Boneyard beach. This area has dozens of blown over trees with roots exposed and branches/trunks smoothed by years of wind and water. It was a cloudy day and we walked in the drizzle, being the only people there. That added to the eeriness of the place. Such a cool area to see and explore. As mentioned earlier, parking is $3 cash (put in envelope). Be careful you walk down the right trail; we walked a bit on a trail that connected different areas of the park initially, not the trail to the beach. I know there are two other trails on Big Talbot Island State Park, but I didn't do either of those.
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.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL3,894 contributions
Boneyard Beach
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.
jane572018
Gwinn, MI42 contributions
Great Place for an Outing
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.
devilish_patsy
Plantation, FL212 contributions
Boneyard Beach ~ Hidden Gem
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!
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.
Alexis B
Pittsburgh, PA974 contributions
Boneyard Beach Beauty
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.
SH
Tampa, FL136 contributions
Boneyard Beach is a must visit
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.
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.
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Big Talbot Island State Park (Jacksonville) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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