Little Talbot Island State Park

Little Talbot Island is an undeveloped barrier island off the coast of north-east Florida, just across the St. Johns river from Jacksonville. With over 5 miles of pristine sandy beaches, it's no wonder we keep going back. On this trip, the 4th in 5 years, we spent 2 fabulous weeks soaking up the sun, riding our bikes on the miles of smooth scenic coastal paths, kayaking in the salt marshes, and hiking the many trails through some of Florida's most beautiful moss-laden live oak hammocks. Birding is another favored activity for the area, from the herons and egrets in the salt marsh to the songbirds in the maritime hammock forest, there are many species to be enjoyed. We even saw a bald eagle nesting in a treetop; don't forget to bring your binoculars.

Little Talbot Island State Park campground, a short walk across A1A from the beach, has 24 RV/tent and 12 tent-only sites, each with 30amp service and fresh water. For the most part, the sites are relatively private located on several loops that meander through a live oak hammock. A beautiful setting for sure, but note: maximum RV length is 30'. Another interesting aspect of this campground is the ability to use trees you hang a hammock, at certain sites,  which is unusual because many places don't allow that. The campground has 2 large bath-houses, centrally located for easy access that were kept clean and tidy by the friendly park staff; nothing beats a good hot shower after a day spent hiking, biking, and beaching.

We stayed at site 36 which backs up to the salt marsh, making if one of our favorites; it also is one of the few that would accommodate our Jay Feather 24T. It's also very close to the put in spot for boats and kayaks. Our 4 legged travel companion, Terra, loves going there, but a word of caution: no dogs on the beach. You can, however, drive a few miles north on A1A to some beautiful dog-friendly beaches on Amelia Island.

We stayed for 2 weeks and could have stayed for 2 more, but life calls. We are already planning our next trip in a year because the sites fill up fast. There is a reason for that.