Camping at Dr. Julian G. Bruce State Park

Camping at Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park (St. George Island)

St. George Island (and its state park) quickly become one of everyone's favorite places on the Forgotten Coast.

Tucked on the barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, this park offers the kind of quiet, uncrowded beauty that’s getting harder to find. Some of the campsites are just a short walk from the water. Each morning, you can wake to the sound of waves and birds instead of traffic.

Days are for hours spent beachcombing for shells on the wide-open Gulf side, kayaking the calmer bay waters, walking the nature trails through the dunes and maritime forest, and watching dolphins play just offshore. At night, the sky is dark enough that you can see the Milky Way — something I can never get enough of.

The park has 60 campsites with electric and water hookups tucked behind the historic dunes in the pine flatwoods, plus a nearby dump station. It’s only about a quarter-mile walk to the beach, so you’re never far from the water. There are two restrooms with hot showers, a small playground, and a linear nature trail that winds through coastal scrub and pine forest — perfect for early-morning walks or bike rides.

What really sets it apart is the nine miles of pristine, undeveloped beaches. On the Gulf side, you get those perfect stretches of sugary white sand and clear blue water; on the bay side, the marshes are full of wading birds and great fishing spots. The trails are gentle and shaded, and the whole place feels wild in the best way — everything from sea gulls overhead to tiny lizards darting across the path.

It’s the perfect mix of simple and special: no fancy amenities, just beautiful campsites, easy beach access, and that peaceful, slow-down feeling that makes the Forgotten Coast so special.

If you’re looking for a real escape where you can actually hear the water and feel the place, this is it.

For more information, current availability, and to make a reservation directly with the park, visit the official Florida State Parks page here: 

👉 https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/dr-julian-g-bruce-st-george-island-state-park