Top 5 Parks on Amelia Island for a Picnic
Discover Amelia Island’s Best Parks
Amelia Island has the most beautiful parks in all of Florida. Okay, okay, we might be biased here, but there is no question that people travel miles to see them and enjoy nature.
There are countless opportunities on the island to explore the outdoors and see some breathtaking views. We’ve narrowed it down to five parks that you most definitely should add on your itinerary. And, of course, make sure you pick up some delicious food to share at these destinations.
1. Fort Clinch Park
Named as the oldest park on Amelia Island, Fort Clinch Park is a must see, where visitors can learn about nature’s history or paddle on St. Marys River. The famous fort was built in 1847 for the Civil and Spanish-American wars, but was never completed in time.
On the first weekend of each month the park holds a number of activities to showcase what the soldiers did back then and fire cannoning as well. In addition to the fort there are sixty seven campsites, fishing piers, and biking and hiking trails for everyone to enjoy.
Park Hours: 8AM to Sunset
Entrance Fee: $6 per vehicle
Fort admission: $2.50 per person
Camping Fee: $33 per night
2. Amelia Island State Park
Sitting at the southern point of Amelia Island is Amelia Island State Park. This is the place to be if you are looking for some quiet vacation time on the beach.
The convergence of the Nassau and Amelia rivers flowing into the Atlantic Ocean makes it an amazing fishing spot. There are all kinds of fish like redfish and pompanos and even sharks you can catch. Keep an eye out for shark teeth on the shoreline making it a fun souvenir from your visit. This is one of the few beaches on Amelia Island that you can drive up onto the sand. The entrance fee is only four dollars per vehicle so we highly recommend visiting this local treasure.
Park Hours: 8AM to Sunset
Entrance Fee: $4 per vehicle
3. Egans Creek Greenway
As one of Amelia Island’s largest conservation areas, Egans Creek Greenway has over three hundred acres of land to explore. There are trails to hike and bike on called the Greenway and a creek to paddleboard or kayak in making Egans Creek extra special.
Back in the 1770s, this park was once an indigo plantation and there are some beautiful indigo plants still left to see today in addition to hundreds of other colorful plants.
Not only that, you can see all kinds of wildlife like birds and deer on the five hiking trails or alligators and dolphins while stand up paddleboarding along the creek. Egans Creek Greenway shows how beautiful Amelia Island really is.
Park Hours: Monday-Friday 8AM to 5PM
Entrance Fee: Free
4. Fernandina Plaza State Park
Sometimes on vacation you want a short walk but still want a beautiful view. Well, Fernandina Plaza State Park is just that. Way back in the prehistoric period, the park’s 0.8 acres acted as a Native American campground.
A little later pirates and smugglers visited Fernandina Plaza State Park as well. A fun fact is that Fernandina Plaza State Park was one of the filming locations for the 1988 film “The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking”.
Walking through the park you can feel you becoming part of the stories of the historic past and its riverside location makes you imagine the large ships used in war passing by. The park is open from 8 in the morning to sunset everyday and is six dollars to enter. Locals say the best time to visit is around sunset where you can see the beautiful colors in the sky making a wonderful picture to remember forever.
Park Hours: 8AM to Sunset
Entrance Fee: $6
5. Main Beach Park
This last park makes everyone in the family happy. Main Beach Park has activities like sand volleyball and a playground for the children, also beautiful ocean views and lifeguards for the parents.
The beachfront has a beautiful view of the ocean where visitors can surf, boogieboard, and look for shells. No need for parking stress, there are lots of parking spaces right in front of the easy access boardwalk to the park. Enjoy the wide sandy beaches and amenities perfect for a classic Amelia Island picnic.
Park Hours: 5 AM to Sunset
Entrance fee: Free
Walkway to Main Beach Park, Michael Rivera, Wikimedia Commons
Pack a Picnic for the Perfect Amelia Island Day
Any of these five parks would be a great spot to bring one of our delicious meals with you for a scenic picnic. Nothing is more perfect than enjoying a fresh shrimp basket or poke bowl with the peaceful view of nature and the ocean.
