Explorers of all ages are sure to fall in love with the picturesque beaches and slower pace of life on St. George Island.
A year-round Florida Panhandle destination, St. George is home to miles of undeveloped beaches, which makes it an especially popular destination for beach-lovers seeking an ‘off the beaten path’ experience—but don’t worry, there’s plenty to see and do on this little slice of paradise.
Watersports and boating are popular, as are paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking. And if you prefer to stay dry during your exploration, walking, hiking, and biking are great alternatives.
Check out these popular St. George Island hiking trails, and be sure to pencil in plenty of time to enjoy the great island outdoors!
St. George Island State Park Trails
Address: 1900 E Gulf Beach Dr, St George Island, FL 32328
Phone: (850) 927-2111
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6:30 a.m., Daily
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/dr-julian-g-bruce-st-george-island-state-park
Conveniently situated on the east end of the island, the St. George Island State Park offers a scenic retreat for peaceful hikes. This remote piece of paradise comprises over 2,000 of untouched beaches and several miles of pristine nature trails.
East Point Scenic Byway | 4.4 Miles (one way)
Explore the far end of St. George Island with the East Point Scenic Byway. This trail begins at the Sugar Hill parking area and takes walkers and runners east along the back-side of the island. This white sand trail features wide-open views of the beach and Apalachicola Bay behind. Do note that there is little to no shade along this route, so sunscreen is a must! At the end of the trail, you’ll run into East Point Beach, which is a popular spot for surf fishing and sunbathing.
Big Bend Scenic Byway and Beach Loop | 9.3 Miles (roundtrip)
If you don’t get a friend or family member to pick you up at the end of the East Point Byway route, you’ll follow the course back to the parking lot to complete the full ‘Beach Loop’. Almost 10-miles total, the full trail is flat and sandy with beautiful views of the island beaches and native wildlife. Adventurers can expect to see everything from salt marsh birds, crabs, and turtles to saltwater fish like flounder and redfish. This also a great loop for runners or bikers looking for a full loop on the island.
Gap Point Trail | 3.2 Miles (one way)
The scenic Gap Point Trail begins at the Sugar Hill parking area of the St. George State Park. Instead of heading east towards the far end of the island, this trail takes walkers west to a northern peninsula on the bay-side of the island. The one-way walk to the end of the trail is just over 5k, which makes it a convenient option for runners/walkers looking to get in some distance. The effort is well worth the work as the trail ends at a breathtaking beach where explorers can swim, fish or collect oysters, and more.
St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge
Address: 3100 County Rd 30A, Apalachicola, FL 32320
Phone: (850) 653-8808
Hours: Seasonal
Website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/st_vincent/
An uninhabited neighboring island, the St. Vincent Wildlife Refuge is an ideal hiking spot for explorers seeking a remote retreat. First, you’ll need to head to Apalachicola to catch a ferry over to the island. The round-trip will only set you back $10, and the short boat ride adds to the charm of the trip.
St. Vincent is one of the largest Gulf of Mexico barrier islands and is home to an impressive array of wildlife including various ducks and waterfowl, bald eagles, sea turtles, alligators, white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises, red wolves, and many more. The 80+ miles of hiking trails provide the perfect opportunity to explore an unseen side of the ‘Forgotten Coast’. St. Vincent is also a hot spot shelling, a fun way to collect a few unique beach souvenirs!
Bald Point State Park
Address: 146 Box Cut Rd, Alligator Point, FL 32346
Phone: (850) 349-9146
Hours: Seasonal
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/bald-point-state-park
Located just an hour east of St. George Island, Bald Point State Park is considered one of the Florida Gulf Coast’s most scenic destinations. The state park also coincides with Alligator Point, where the Ochlockonee Bay meets the Apalachee Bay.
Bald Point offers five unique routes that cover 18-miles of multi-use biking and hiking trails. Each trail offers a different experience and a unique perspective of the coast, and all trails are pet-friendly.
Along the trails, hikers can explore more than 200 native animal species with plenty of familiar island inhabitants including crabs, fish, turtles, deer, and birds—which are a primary draw to the area. The state park has earned a well-deserved designation as a top spot along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, which makes it a hot spot for bird watching and photography. Bald Point also supports more than 350 unique species of plant life and a breathtaking display of seashells.
St. Marks River Preserve State Park
Address: 11950 Tram Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32311
Phone: (850) 487-7879
Hours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Daily
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/st-marks-river-preserve-state-park
A beautiful interior alternative to beachside hiking, the St. Marks River State Park just an hour and a half northeast of St. George Island. A riverside beauty, this diverse waterfront park offers something for everyone! The 7-miles of rugged landscape can easily be explored with a hike, bike ride, or horseback ride.
Trails in St. Marks are natural ground, which can be a welcomed change from other sandy tracks, and the river supports a diverse array of plant and animal life that provide a lively, scenic backdrop. The trails are clearly marked and there are free trail maps available on-site. Trails here are also shaded (another welcomed reprieve compared to beach trails) and are pet-friendly!
What are you waiting for? An island getaway is calling your name! Explore our official St. George Island blog for more vacation inspiration, and don’t forget to see our vacation specials page to save big on your next vacation.
