Big Talbot Island State Park

Had a great walk on the beach at Black Rock Beach. Very quiet, clean and scenic.

A pretty park near Jacksonville! This area has gorgeous marshes that run the coast which makes for fantastic birding (among many other things). I was driving from Amelia Island to Miami when saw this park and decided to stop off the highway. There are a few areas to park with a variety of activities like a boat launch, hiking trails, beach, paved biking trail, and a birding boardwalk (with awnings for protection from weather).

Big Talbot Island State Park feels like a hidden world. The moment you step onto Blackrock Beach, it almost looks unreal massive driftwood trees scattered along the shore like natural sculptures. It’s quiet, wild, and way less crowded than most beaches near Jacksonville. Perfect place to walk, take photos, watch the tide, or just sit and listen to the ocean. If you like nature that still feels untouched, this place is seriously special. 🌊🌿

We parked at Little Talbot Island State park and rode our bikes along the coastal highway into Big Talbot Island State Park. We passed several sandy beaches where people were fishing and swimming. We passed the Sawpit Creek Boat Ramp, a paddle launch, crossed some bridges, stopped at some bird-viewing stations, and arrived at the north end of the island where the beach was full and busy with sun-bathers, children playing, fishermen and parked vehicles. We enjoyed the wide-open views of blue skies over blue waters.

Review: Hit up Big Talbot Island State Park recently and it was a great time. If you're looking for a solid spot to cast a line, this is it—we pulled in about four decent-sized sea mullet while we were out there. The scenery is definitely not your average Florida beach. It's got all these massive, weathered fallen trees covering the shoreline (looks like what they call Boneyard Beach). The water is super clear in the shallows, too; we saw some huge hermit crabs hauling around big whelk shells. Just a heads up if you visit: there are signs posted reminding you not to dig or take any artifacts or shells from the state property, so leave the cool stuff where you find it. Overall, an awesome, laid-back spot to fish and take in some wild views.