Picnicking at St. Andrews State Park can mean eating beside the Gulf, near the jetty, or along the quieter Grand Lagoon side. The park currently lists three main picnic areas and four picnic pavilions, with tables, grills and other day-use facilities varying by location.[a]
Park Entry And Daily Timing
- Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, every day.
- Day-use entry: $8 per vehicle for two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for pedestrians or bicyclists.[c]
Current Picnic Setup
- The park currently lists four picnic pavilions, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The three main picnic areas are the Jetties Use Area, Gulf Pier Use Area and Boat Basin.
- Current pavilions have picnic tables and concrete pads.[a]
Picnic Pavilions And Tables
St. Andrews State Park currently has four picnic pavilions for day-use visitors. They are listed as first-come, first-served rather than as eight pavilions, which appeared in older park information. Each current pavilion has picnic tables and a concrete pad.[a]
🚧 Jetty-area construction: New picnic pavilions are being built in the Jetty area to replace pavilions lost during Hurricane Michael. Florida State Parks says parking may be reduced in the Jetty parking lot while this work is underway, and visitors may encounter construction equipment and noise.[b]
Where Picnic Areas Are Located
The three official day-use picnic areas sit in different parts of the park. The better choice depends on whether your day is centered around the jetty and inlet, the Gulf-side beach, or the Boat Basin and Grand Lagoon.
| Picnic Area | Setting | Facilities To Know | Current Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetties Use Area | Inlet, jetty and nearby beach access | Picnic facilities in the main day-use zone | New pavilions are under construction; Jetty parking may be reduced |
| Gulf Pier Use Area | Gulf-side day-use area | Picnic area with access to nearby park facilities | Useful for a meal during a Gulf-side beach day |
| Boat Basin | Grand Lagoon and boat-ramp side | Picnic tables, grills, restrooms and playground | One of the clearer choices when cooking is part of the picnic |
| Campground Sites | Lower Grand Lagoon campground | Each standard campsite has a picnic table and grill | Campground access is for registered guests |
| Sandy Point Group Camp | Near Sandy Point, inlet and Grand Lagoon | Covered pavilion, picnic tables, barbecue grill and fire pit | Reserved for eligible organized groups rather than ordinary day use |
Jetty Day-Use Area
The Jetties Use Area places picnic facilities close to the inlet, jetty and one of the park’s busiest beach-use areas. It works well when your visit already includes swimming, snorkeling, fishing or time around the jetty.
The main practical issue in 2026 is construction. Replacement pavilions are being built in this area, so parking availability and the exact usable space around the construction zone can change. Do not enter fenced or marked work areas.[b]
Gulf Pier Use Area
The Gulf Pier Use Area is one of the park’s three designated picnic areas and suits visitors spending most of their time on the Gulf side. It keeps lunch or a cooler break close to the beach rather than requiring a trip back toward the lagoon side.
Boat Basin And Grand Lagoon
The Boat Basin picnic area has one of the clearest facility combinations for a longer meal. Florida State Parks lists picnic tables, grills and restrooms beside the playground near the boat ramp.[a]
This area makes sense when a picnic involves cooking rather than simply opening a packed cooler. It also keeps you near Grand Lagoon, the boat ramp and other lagoon-side facilities.
Campground Picnic Tables
Registered campers have a separate meal setup at their campsite. Current standard campsites include a picnic table and grill, so overnight guests do not need to depend on a public day-use pavilion for ordinary campsite meals.[a]
Sandy Point Group Camp
Sandy Point Group Camp is intended for organized youth or adult groups affiliated with a recognized nonprofit or community organization. The site provides a covered pavilion with picnic tables, barbecue grill and fire pit, along with restrooms and outside showers. Capacity is a minimum of eight and a maximum of 30 people.[a]
Shade, Grills, Restrooms And Parking
- Shade: The four currently listed pavilions provide covered picnic space.
- Grills: Public grills are specifically listed in the picnic area by the boat ramp. The new Jetty pavilions are also planned with grills.
- Restrooms: Restrooms are available by the boat-ramp picnic area, and restroom facilities are present in the main park use areas.
- Playground: A playground and swings are located in the picnic area by the boat ramp.
- Jetty parking: Pavilion construction may temporarily reduce spaces in the Jetty parking lot.[b]
Cooking And Food Setup
If cooking is part of your day, the Boat Basin picnic area is the most clearly documented day-use location with public grills. Campers also have grills at their individual campsites, while Sandy Point Group Camp has its own barbecue grill for eligible groups.
Do not assume that a portable grill can be set up anywhere on the beach or beside a random picnic table. Florida State Parks specifically permits portable grills at campsites under its statewide camping rules, but day-use cooking should stay in areas where grills are provided or where park staff has confirmed that your equipment may be used.
Rules And Practical Details For Picnics
Pavilions And Space
- Current pavilion count: four.
- Day-use access: first-come, first-served.
- Surfaces: current pavilions have picnic tables and concrete pads.
- Construction: Jetty-area pavilion work can affect parking and nearby space.
Pets And Group Areas
- Picnic areas: pets may be walked in designated picnic areas and must remain on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet.
- Restricted areas: pets are not permitted on beaches, wetlands, boardwalks, playgrounds or inside park buildings.
- Sandy Point Group Camp: pets are not permitted.[a]
Clean And Comfortable
- Trash: use park receptacles and keep food waste away from wildlife.
- Food storage: keep unattended food closed in a cooler or container.
- Timing: regular day use runs until sundown.
FAQ
How many picnic pavilions are currently at St. Andrews State Park?
Florida State Parks currently lists four picnic pavilions. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis and have picnic tables and concrete pads.
Where are the main picnic areas?
The park lists three main picnic areas: the Jetties Use Area, Gulf Pier Use Area and Boat Basin.
Are there grills in the picnic areas?
Yes. Picnic tables and grills are specifically listed in the picnic area by the boat ramp. Standard campsites also have grills, while Sandy Point Group Camp has a barbecue grill for registered groups.
Is construction affecting the Jetty picnic area?
Yes. New pavilions are being built to replace those lost during Hurricane Michael. Florida State Parks says parking may be reduced in the Jetty parking lot while construction continues.
Does Sandy Point Group Camp use the same picnic pavilions as day visitors?
No. Sandy Point is a separate primitive group camp for eligible organized groups. It has its own covered pavilion, picnic tables, barbecue grill and fire pit.
Sources
- [a] Florida State Parks — St. Andrews State Park Experiences & Amenities: Current picnic-area locations, four-pavilion count, pavilion features, Boat Basin grills and restrooms, campground tables and grills, pet rules and Sandy Point Group Camp facilities. (Official Florida State Parks source.) Florida State Parks
- [b] Florida State Parks — Construction Projects Underway at St. Andrews: Current Jetty pavilion replacement project, planned tables and grills, and warning that construction may reduce Jetty parking. (Official Florida State Parks construction update.) St. Andrews Construction Projects
- [c] Florida State Parks — St. Andrews Hours & Fees: Current park hours and day-use entrance fees. (Official Florida State Parks source.) Hours & Fees
