St. Andrews State Park
Panama City Beach, FL
Gulf beaches, a protected jetty lagoon that is good for snorkeling with children, and boats to undeveloped Shell Island.
St. Andrews State Park is about 5 km (3 miles) east of Panama City Beach in Bay County on Florida's Gulf Coast, off US 98. It covers about 470 hectares (1,167 acres) and, according to the park, offers five distinct ecological landscapes between the Gulf and St. Andrews Bay. About 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of beach invite swimming, fishing and watching the sunset. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sundown.
The rock jetty, now an artificial reef, is a good snorkeling spot. You can see rays, angelfish, redfish, sheepshead and octopus, and sometimes dolphins. The site suits beginners and experienced snorkelers, and you can rent gear in the park. A shuttle runs to Shell Island. The campground can be reserved; in summer it pays to book early. The story of Teddy the Hermit is well known: the Norwegian-born sailor Theodore Tollofsen was stranded by a hurricane in 1929 at Grand Lagoon and lived there for about 25 years until his death in 1954.
- Nearest town
- Panama City Beach, FL
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 30.1290, -85.7380
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
© Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0White sand on the Panhandle: Pensacola to Panama City Beach
© April Nobile · CC BY 4.0Quartz sand, dune lakes and oyster boats – by camper along the Emerald Coast and the Forgotten Coast from Pensacola to St. Marks
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Saint Andrews State Park CampgroundCampsite1 mi from St. Andrews State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- KOA Holiday RV Park and CampgroundMotorhome stopover5 mi from St. Andrews State ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Raccoon River CampgroundCampsite7 mi from St. Andrews State Park
- Denae's camping areaCampsite11 mi from St. Andrews State Park
- Pine Log State ForestMotorhome stopover22 mi from St. Andrews State ParkMotorhomes
- El Govenor RV ParkMotorhome stopover24 mi from St. Andrews State ParkMotorhomes
All campsites in Florida · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is St. Andrews State Park?
St. Andrews State Park is in Panama City Beach, FL, at GPS 30.1290, -85.7380. It is about 20 mi from Rosemary Beach.
Can you camp near St. Andrews State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Saint Andrews State Park Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 17 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass St. Andrews State Park?
St. Andrews State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: White sand on the Panhandle: Pensacola to Panama City Beach and Quartz sand, dune lakes and oyster boats – by camper along the Emerald Coast and the Forgotten Coast from Pensacola to St. Marks.
What is there to see near St. Andrews State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Grayton Beach State Park (29 mi), Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore (94 mi) and Gulf State Park (114 mi).
When is the best time to visit St. Andrews State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)