Sandy Point Group Camp is the primitive group camping area at St. Andrews State Park, set near Sandy Point, the inlet, and Grand Lagoon. It is not a regular family campsite where one household books a numbered pad for a weekend. It is built for organized youth or adult groups tied to a recognized nonprofit or community organization, with tents, shared facilities, and a more old-school outdoor feel.
The rules are simple, but they matter. The camp has a minimum group size of 8 people and a maximum of 30 people. Reservations are handled by calling the park, not by clicking through the normal campsite list and hoping Sandy Point appears like an RV site. That one detail saves a lot of confusion.
Sandy Point Group Camp Basics
The group camp sits in the southwest part of the mainland park area near Sandy Point. In the park’s approved management plan, this area is described as a more primitive camping experience compared with the main campground along Grand Lagoon, which has the Lagoon and Pine Grove loops.[a]
| Camp Name | Sandy Point Group Camp |
| Camp Type | Primitive group camping |
| Location In Park | Near Sandy Point, the inlet, and Grand Lagoon |
| Group Size | Minimum 8 people, maximum 30 people |
| Best Fit | Organized youth groups or adult groups connected to a recognized nonprofit or community organization |
| Main Facilities | Tent area, covered pavilion, picnic tables, barbecue grill, fire pit, restrooms, outside showers |
| Pets | Not allowed at Sandy Point Group Camp |
| Alcohol | Not allowed |
| Check-In / Check-Out | Check-in 3 p.m.; check-out 1 p.m. |
| Quiet Hours | 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. |
Who Can Reserve Sandy Point Group Camp?
Sandy Point Group Camp is intended for organized groups, not casual walk-up camping parties. Florida State Parks lists examples such as Scouts, Boys & Girls Club groups, church groups, Sierra Club groups, and similar community or nonprofit organizations.[b]
You do not need to overthink the idea: the park wants a real group with a clear organization behind it. A school outdoor club, a youth program, a nonprofit volunteer group, or a community group fits the spirit of the site much better than a loose gathering of friends trying to book a private camping area.
Youth groups get priority when more than half of the members are under 18. That priority does not erase an adult group’s existing reservation if the adult group booked properly inside its allowed window. Fair enough. The calendar still has rules.
Age And Chaperone Rule
For youth groups, the official rule is one adult chaperone age 21 or older for every 10 children. Chaperones must remain with the group while the group is in the park. This is not just paperwork; it shapes how many adults you need before you call to reserve.
- For 8 to 10 children, plan for at least 1 adult chaperone.
- For 11 to 20 children, plan for at least 2 adult chaperones.
- For 21 to 30 children, plan for at least 3 adult chaperones.
Capacity Rules: How Many People Can Camp?
The capacity range is narrow on purpose: 8 people minimum, 30 people maximum. A group of five is too small. A group of 35 is too large. Sandy Point is a shared primitive group setting, not an open field with unlimited tent space.
| Group Size | Can It Use Sandy Point Group Camp? | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1–7 people | No | Below the listed minimum capacity |
| 8–30 people | Yes, if the group qualifies | Inside the official capacity range |
| 31+ people | No | Above the listed maximum capacity |
That 30-person limit includes the people staying with the group. When planning, count adults, youth members, leaders, and overnight supervisors before you call. It is much easier to adjust the roster early than to discover later that the group is over the cap.
What The Camp Includes
Sandy Point Group Camp keeps things practical. You get the core pieces needed for a group tent stay: space for tents, a covered pavilion with picnic tables, a barbecue grill, a fire pit, restrooms, and outside showers.
Think of it as a base camp rather than a furnished outdoor lodge. The covered pavilion gives groups a shared place to gather, eat, sort gear, or take a break from sun and passing weather. The tent area keeps the overnight setup simple. No frills. Useful, though.
- Tent space: for group camping, not RV-style hookups.
- Covered pavilion: useful for meals, group talks, and shaded breaks.
- Picnic tables: shared seating and meal prep space.
- Barbecue grill and fire pit: for approved camp cooking and group use.
- Restrooms and outside showers: basic facilities close to the group camp.
Rules To Know Before Booking
The main rules for Sandy Point Group Camp are clear: no pets, no alcohol, quiet hours from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., check-in at 3 p.m., and check-out at 1 p.m. These rules match the kind of site Sandy Point is: a group camp where shared space works only when everyone keeps the stay orderly.
Small but easy-to-miss detail: Pets may be welcome in some regular campground areas at St. Andrews State Park, but Sandy Point Group Camp has its own rule: no pets. Service animals are treated separately under Florida State Parks accessibility rules.
Check-In And Quiet Hours
Check-in starts at 3 p.m., which gives groups time to arrive, unload, set up tents, and settle in before evening. Check-out is 1 p.m., a little later than many hotel-style checkouts, but still firm enough that the next reservation can be prepared.
Quiet hours run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.. For group leaders, this is one of the easiest rules to explain before arrival: late-night noise travels. In a park setting, even normal group chatter can feel louder after dark.
Reservation Windows For Youth And Adult Groups
Sandy Point Group Camp has two different reservation windows. Organized youth groups may reserve up to 11 months in advance. Adult groups may reserve up to 30 days in advance. This is one of the most important differences between Sandy Point and a regular campsite booking.
| Group Type | How Far Ahead You Can Reserve | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Organized youth group | Up to 11 months in advance | Priority applies when more than half the group is under 18 |
| Adult group | Up to 30 days in advance | A valid adult reservation made within the 30-day window is not bumped by a later youth request |
Why does this matter? Because the right time to call depends on your group type. A youth group planning a spring weekend should not wait until the month before if the date matters. Adult groups, on the other hand, cannot lock in the site many months ahead under the listed rules.
How To Reserve Sandy Point Group Camp
Reservations for Sandy Point Group Camp are made by calling the park directly at 850-708-6100. The listed reservation call window is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payment is due when the group checks in at the park.
- Confirm that your group is tied to a recognized nonprofit or community organization.
- Count the full overnight group, including adult leaders and chaperones.
- Check whether your group follows the youth or adult reservation window.
- Call 850-708-6100 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Have your organization details ready, including tax-exempt documentation if required.
For regular campground stays, Florida State Parks uses its reservation website and call center. Sandy Point is different because the group camp reservation details point visitors back to the park office. That is the fork in the road many people miss.
Fees And Payment Rules
The listed Sandy Point Group Camp fees are $1 per night for youth age 17 and under and $5 per night for adults age 18 and older. Those are per-person nightly fees, so the total depends on the group’s mix of youth and adults.
| Camper Type | Listed Fee |
|---|---|
| Youth, age 17 and under | $1 per night |
| Adult, age 18 and older | $5 per night |
Payment is due at check-in. Organizations must provide a copy of their tax-exempt certificate. Payment must be made by credit card or check with the same name as the tax-exempt certificate. Cash, personal cards, and personal checks are not accepted for this group camp payment process.
Before the trip: ask one person to handle the tax-exempt certificate and payment method. It sounds boring until check-in day. Then it becomes the one document everyone wishes they had checked twice.
How Sandy Point Differs From The Main Campground
St. Andrews State Park also has a main campground along Grand Lagoon. The park’s management plan lists 176 sites and 4 bathhouses in the Lagoon and Pine Grove campground loops, while Sandy Point is described separately as the group camp near Sandy Point.[a]
The regular campground is better for individual tent campers, RV travelers, and families looking for standard campsites. Many regular campsites include utilities such as water, electric service, sewer hookups, picnic tables, and grills. Sandy Point is different: it is a shared primitive group camp built around tents and group use.
| Feature | Sandy Point Group Camp | Main Campground |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Organized groups | Individual campers, families, RVs, tents |
| Booking Style | Call the park office | Reservation website or call center |
| Capacity | 8 to 30 people | Varies by campsite rules |
| Camping Style | Primitive tent group camp | Developed campground loops |
| Pets | No pets at the group camp | Pets allowed in campground areas, with restrictions |
Location Context Inside The Park
Sandy Point sits close to several names visitors often see when reading about St. Andrews: Grand Lagoon, the inlet, the jetty area, and the park’s mainland public-use zones. The approved plan notes that the park road loops through the mainland parcel and connects the main use areas, while the Lagoon Use Area provides access to Grand Lagoon and St. Andrew Bay.
This matters for group camping because Sandy Point is not floating off by itself. It belongs to a larger park layout with beach access, boating access, nature trails, fishing areas, concessions, restrooms, and day-use zones. Still, the camp’s purpose stays narrow: overnight group tent camping.
What To Confirm Before You Call
Before calling the park, gather the details a ranger or staff member will likely need. A prepared call goes smoother, especially during busy travel seasons when park offices handle many visitor questions.
- Organization name: nonprofit, school, church, club, or community group.
- Group type: youth group or adult group.
- Total headcount: adults and youth counted together.
- Youth count: needed if you are claiming youth group priority.
- Chaperone count: one adult age 21 or older per 10 children.
- Preferred dates: have a backup date ready.
- Payment documents: tax-exempt certificate and matching payment method.
One more practical point: the park is open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year, and its main contact number is the same number used for Sandy Point reservations on the official park page.[c]
Common Booking Mistakes
Most confusion comes from treating Sandy Point like a regular campsite. It is not listed for casual self-service booking in the same way a standard campsite might be. The group camp has its own eligibility, capacity, payment, and timing rules.
- Calling too late as a youth group: youth groups can book up to 11 months ahead, so popular dates may need early planning.
- Trying to book too early as an adult group: adult groups are limited to the 30-day reservation window.
- Forgetting the minimum size: fewer than 8 people does not meet the listed capacity rule.
- Bringing a pet: Sandy Point Group Camp does not allow pets.
- Arriving without organization payment documents: payment must match the tax-exempt certificate rules.
Sandy Point Group Camp FAQ
How many people can stay at Sandy Point Group Camp?
Sandy Point Group Camp has a minimum capacity of 8 people and a maximum capacity of 30 people.
Can families book Sandy Point Group Camp for a private trip?
The camp is intended for organized youth or adult groups affiliated with a recognized nonprofit or community organization. A normal family camping trip usually fits the main campground better.
How far ahead can youth groups reserve Sandy Point?
Organized youth groups can make reservations up to 11 months in advance.
How far ahead can adult groups reserve Sandy Point?
Adult groups can make reservations up to 30 days in advance.
Are pets allowed at Sandy Point Group Camp?
No. The official Sandy Point Group Camp rules list no pets. Service animals are handled under accessibility rules.
Is alcohol allowed at Sandy Point Group Camp?
No. Alcohol is not allowed at Sandy Point Group Camp.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out is 1 p.m.. Quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m..
How do you reserve Sandy Point Group Camp?
Call St. Andrews State Park at 850-708-6100 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for Sandy Point Group Camp reservations.
Sources
- [a] St. Andrews State Park Approved Unit Management Plan — used for the park layout, main campground count, Sandy Point location, and primitive group camp context. (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, official state agency document.)
- [b] Florida State Parks Experiences & Amenities page — used for Sandy Point Group Camp rules, capacity, facilities, reservation windows, fees, and payment requirements. (Official Florida State Parks page.)
- [c] St. Andrews State Park official park page — used for park hours, location, contact number, and general park setting. (Official Florida State Parks page.)
- [d] Florida State Parks Camping and Cabins Guide — used for general statewide camping context, including common check-in, check-out, quiet time, and camping rule references. (Official Florida State Parks publication.)
