Region:
Northeast
BIG TALBOT ISLAND STATE PARK
Jacksonville, Florida
Contact Information
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, 32226
(904) 251-2320
Driving Directions
Big Talbot Island State Park is located 20 miles east of downtown
Jacksonville on A1A North, immediately north of Little Talbot
Island State Park.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days
a year. Boat ramp area is open 24 hours a day.
Park Fees
Park fees vary on Big Talbot Island State Park.
There is a $2.00 per vehicle entrance fee at the
“Bluffs” picnic area. There is a $3.00
fee to launch from Big Talbot Island Boat ramp
and a $1.00 per person fee to fish or just enjoy
the park.
Park Activities
Boating, Boat Ramp, Canoeing, Fishing, Nature
Trails, Picnicking, and Swimming
Fishing
With all of the marsh area that surrounds Big
Talbot Island, there is no question that this
is a prime area to fish. Whiting, Redfish and
Speckled Sea trout are in these waters year round.
During the spring and fall these waters are booming
with feeding activity. Plenty of baitfish and
shrimp can be caught in any of the creeks and
along the shoreline. A canoe trip through the
marsh can be real a productive way to find that
"big" fish. Fly fishing is becoming
very popular throughout these marshes. "Tailing
Reds" come up the creeks during the fall
and spring flood tides. A map of Big Talbot and
its marshes can be obtained at the Little Talbot
Island State Park Ranger Station.
Nature Trails
At this park there are several trails to choose
from. A map may be picked up at the Little Talbot
Islands, Ranger Station. Blackrock Trail meanders
through the maritime hammock delivering you to
the shores Nassau Sound. This one of a kind beach
has black, rocklike outcroppings and fallen trees
that have become bleached and weathered with time.
The short hike is breath taking, the way the "Live
Oak Trees" seem to sweep towards the clouds.
This is a great place to just enjoy an afternoon
of fun in the sun or go exploring through the
branches of time. Road parking along S.R. A1A
allows you easy access to all of the trails.
Picnicking
This small picnic area has a $2 entrance fee per
vehicle. It offers park visitors picnic pavilions
with grills, tables and a bluff overlook view
of Nassau Sound. This "Bluff" is where
the park gets its name. This is a non-bathing
beach, but you are welcome wade out and cool off.
For thousands of years driftwood has been washing
up upon the shore of Big Talbot. This driftwood
is a protected natural resource that offers not
only scenic beauty, but is a source of shelter
and food for the plants and animal that live off
the wood. Pets are allowed in the park but must
be on a six-foot hand-held leash at all times.
Be sure to bring your camera, so you can take
your memories home with you.
The panorama of the Nassau Sound as it opens
to meet the Atlantic makes the Big Talbot Bluffs
a perfect setting for your picnic.
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