Come to the Coast on UsEnter to win the Franklin County TDC Outdoors Come to the Coast Getaway running now through June 30. Winners of this getaway will enjoy a two night stay on St. George Island, lighthouse tours (when they open) a kayak rental and airboat excursion. Enjoy evening meals at area Franklin County restaurants. Click here to enter.
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Beach Parks Accessible To All
Some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches can be found in Franklin County. And now they are also some of the most accessible.
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
Located at the far east end of St. George Island, the Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park features nine miles of pristine beaches, majestic dunes, coastal woodlands and a tranquil bay shoreline. Ranked among the top beach parks in the US, the 2,000+ acre park features hiking trails, boardwalks, observation platforms and a full facility campground that would rival some of the best in the country. The park features 60 campsites with electricity, water hookups, hot showers and restrooms, primitive camp areas, and a playground.
These days, park officials are also proud of the park’s amenities that make it accessible to everyone, regardless of their mobility challenges. According to Joshua Hodson, Park Manager, the St. George Island State Park is equipped with three non-motorized beach wheelchairs, two electric beach wheelchairs, a recumbent floating wheelchair and mobility mats allowing unobstructed beach, bay and campground access within the park. The wheelchairs are free for visitors and reservations can be made by calling the park office at 850-927-2111.
The Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year. Access fees for the park are $6 per vehicle, up to 8 people, and $2 if you’re heading in on foot or bicycle.
For more information, contact: Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, 1900 East Gulf Beach Drive, 850-927-2111, floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/dr-julian-g-bruce-st-george-island-state-park.
Bald Point State ParkLocated at the farthest end of Franklin County, the Bald Point State Park features some of the most picturesque wilderness and isolated beaches along north Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located on Alligator Point, where Ochlockonee Bay meets Apalachee Bay, Bald Point features more than 4,000 acres of North Florida wilderness boasting a multitude of land and water activities. Coastal marshes, pine flatwoods, and oak thickets foster a diversity of biological communities that make the park a popular destination for birding and wildlife viewing.
Bald Point offers Mobi-Mat access to two Apalachee Bay beaches in the park; sunrise beach and North End beach. Other accessible amenities include one beach wheelchair, accessible picnic pavilions, multi-use trails and outdoor showers. Bald Point State Park also features accessible-friendly amenities including an accessible boardwalk and observation deck, outdoor showers/rinse stations, accessible picnic pavilions, a beach wheelchair and two Mobi-mat beach access mats. Reservations for the wheelchair can be made by calling the park office at 850-349-9146.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day of the year. Access fees for the park are $4 per vehicle, up to 8 people, and $2 if you’re heading in on foot or bicycle. For more information, contact: Bald Point State Park, 146 Box Cut Road, Alligator Point, 850-349-9146, floridastateparks.org/ parks-and-trails/bald-point-state-park
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Slow Down and Look Up This SummerSt. George Island and many other coastal areas in Franklin County offer the opportunity for some social distance star gazing opportunities with the darkest skies for miles around. The Gulf of Mexico provides 180 degrees of no light pollution and the closest metropolitan areas are over 70 miles away. These conditions allow star gazers to see the Milky Way and some of the fainter constellations.
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SGI Mullet Toss June 13
The St. George Island Mullet Toss will take place Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m till 5 p.m on the beach in front of Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe on St. George Island. This annual event is sponsored by The Blue Parrot. For a nominal entry fee you get a unique Mullet Toss T Shirt, and 2 mullet to throw. Visitors and Locals compete for prizes and bragging rights. There are prizes for the longest throws in the men’s, women’s and kids divisions.
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Let's Go Fishing Again!
Franklin County welcomes visitors back to the Forgotten Coast this month. With appropriate social distancing measures in place, visitors are again enjoying beaches, restaurants, shopping and all things outdoors, including fishing.
Fishing returns just in time for Red Snapper season to open this month in State waters and the Gag Grouper fishing season to open in Federal waters. But whether you’re ready to head offshore or you’re more into shallow water adventures, fishing in Franklin County is all about the action.
Franklin County features four fishing piers and more than 40 boat ramps and kayak/canoes launches. Beach fishing is particularly popular on the east end of the Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park and from the beach at Bald Point State Park in the extreme eastern end of the county. Carrabelle boats three pristine rivers that converge and connect with the Gulf of Mexico, providing access to salt and freshwater fishing grounds. Tarpon, redfish, grouper, snapper, trout and cobia are just a sample of what you’ll land.
Hiring a guide is probably the best way to safely enjoy this high-energy saltwater fishing experience. Need some dockage, tackle, guide or advice? There are several marinas and boat rentals, fishing guides and bait and tackle shops just waiting to help.
Fish Free in June!
You can fish license-free in June thanks to Florida’s 2020 free fishing days. The saltwater license-free fishing dates are June 6-7. The June freshwater license-free fishing dates are June 13-14. Free fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for parents who don’t yet have licenses to take youth fishing, or avid anglers to introduce a friend to fishing without having to purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers (residents and non-residents). All other rules such as seasons, bag and size limits apply.
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