Welcome to St. Joseph Peninsula State Park on the Gulf of Mexico across the bay from Port St. Joe, where visitors can swim, sun and play on 9.5 miles of snow-white sand beaches lapped by clear, aqua-blue waters. The park is rated as one of the best state parks in the U.S. and one of the best beaches in the nation. Visitors can explore the untouched natural beauty of the Wilderness Preserve or fish and snorkel in the gulf or tranquil grass flats of St. Joseph Bay. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park offers a variety of camping facilities, 119 campsites with water, electricity, picnic table and grills. A special tent area is available for youth groups and seven cabins are furnished with kitchens, fireplaces, bathrooms, heat and air. For a primitive experience, campers can hike or kayak into the Wilderness Preserve. Daytime visitors can enjoy picnicking, beach activities and boat ramp access to St. Joseph Bay. Fishing and snorkeling are great ways to enjoy the abundant marine life in the gulf and bay. Favorite catches include sea trout, redfish, flounder, spanish makerel, whiting, pompano, blue crabs and bay scallops. Hike along the gulf beach, bay shore and interior passageways of nature trails to observe the park’s wildlife and natural beauty. A map of the preserve is available at the entrance station. The park is noted as an excellent birding and wildlife observation area. During fall migration the peninsula is an important stopover point for a variety of bird species. The park has one of the most productive sea turtle and shore bird nest beaches in the panhandle.