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Let's Camp At The Beach!Many visitors think of the Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park as just a secluded beach perfect for a quiet weekend stroll. However, this 1,962 acre park offers a full facility family campground that would rival some of the best campgrounds in the region. The park features 60 campsites, a playground, electricity, water hookups and dump station nearby. Two buildings provide hot showers and restrooms. The park also has a youth camp available for group camping. Two primitive campsites can be accessed by a 2.5-mile trail or by canoe or kayak. A group camp area is available for scouts and other organized groups. There are three camping areas within the park. Click here to learn more.
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Beach Star Gazing
Residents of the forgotten coast already know we have wonderful views of the night sky, but have you ever wondered what’s actually up there? Starting this month, the St. George Island State Park rangers will be presenting monthly night sky programs thanks to their recent acquisition of a Dobsonian telescope. The telescope enables the park staff to host night-time events on such topics as constellations and the bright stars found within them, the visible planets and how to identify them, and the occasional meteor shower. The St. George Island State Park has been named Florida's first gold tier dark sky park - a designation granted by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). Park officials say the astronomy programs will be available for campers initially but there are plans to expand the program to include all park visitors in the future.
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About the Park
The Dr. Julian G. Bruce State Park on St. George Island offers nine miles of some of the most pristine beaches along the Gulf coast of Florida. Visitors can access four miles of beach along the park's main drive. The park has six large picnic shelters equipped with grills, tables and nearby restrooms. The last five miles to the East Pass are accessible only by special permit obtained at the Ranger Station. There are no charges for bicyclists or hikers to this area. Wheelchair accessibility to the water is enhanced by two Mobi-Mats installed at two pull-offs. Two standard beach wheelchairs and a floating wheelchair are available, please inquire at the Ranger Station about availability.
In addition to its beaches, the St. George Island State Park also offers ample opportunities for biking, boating, hiking, camping and nature study
Bicycling - The park has four miles of paved road along the main park drive and a five mile stabilized road that leads to the east end of the island. There are also three and a half miles of nature trails to ride your bicycle on. There is a bicycle path outside of the park that leads to the center of the island.
Birding - St. George Island State Park has many different bird watching opportunities. Almost 300 species of birds have been documented here. While brown pelicans and gulls are commonly seen on the beach, other species including some that are endangered or threatened may also be seen. The park is a major area associated with the spring and fall migration of neo-tropical birds and raptors and include hawks, falcons, tanagers, grossbeaks, warblers and buntings.
Boating - There are two natural, not paved or maintained, ramps for boat access to Apalachicola Bay. Anglers can fish for flounder, redfish, sea trout, pompano, whiting, Spanish mackerel and other fish off the beach or in the bay. One ramp is located at the Youth/Group Camp area and the other is 2.5 miles from the entrance station at East Slough. Both ramps are restricted to small craft less than 24 feet in length with shallow draft. Launch fees are applicable. Two natural ramps provide access to the bay for canoes and kayaks. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the ranger station.
Hiking - The park features three segmented hiking trails – all part of one 2.5-mile trail to Gap Point which begins in the campground and meanders through the pine flatwood forest to the bay. The trail features boardwalks, resting benches and resource information.
Geocaching - Geocaches are hidden in the park. Please check Geocaching.com for the most current up to date information. The St. George State Park recently became part of a statewide geocaching endeavor called Operation GeoTour. This GeoTour stretches from Pensacola to Key West and includes 74 Florida State Parks and Trails. Participants who collect 40 geocaches from the statewide trail are eligible to receive a commemorative coin.
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SGI Mullet TossThis annual fun event will take place June 11 from 10 a.m till 5 p.m on the beach in front of Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe on St. George Island. This Mullet Toss is sponsored by The Blue Parrot for the benefit of the Apalachicola bay Charter School. For a nominal entry fee you get a unique Mullet Toss T Shirt, and 2 mullet to throw. Visitors and Locals compete for prizes and bragging rights. There are prizes for the longest throws in the men’s, women’s and kids divisions.
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Full Moon Climb June 20
Climb to the top of the Cape St. George Light to watch the sunset and the rise of the full moon. The Sunset/Full Moon Climb includes light hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the full moon. Because space is limited, reservations are recommended. Click here for more.
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Fish Free In June
You can fish free in state saltwater areas June 4-5. The State’s free fishing days in June for freshwater areas is June 11-12. Free fishing days provide an excellent opportunity for parents who don’t yet have licenses to take youth fishing, or avid anglers to introduce a friend to fishing without having to purchase a license. On these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers (residents and non-residents).
Need more good fishing news? The recreational red snapper season in Gulf state waters is now open through July 10. The season opened for the popular recreational fish on May 28. The recreational season for gag grouper runs through June 30 in waters off of Franklin County.
Fishing Tourneys
Here are a few of the upcoming fishing tournaments scheduled throughout the county.
June 11 - Fisherman's Choice Youth FishingTournament. Charles and Rex Pennycuff will host their 16th annual Fisherman's Choice Youth Fishing Tournament on June 11th. Kids 16 and under will fish for fresh and saltwater species. Each entry receives a t-shirt, and after the tournament, entrees are invited to attend a cookout at Fisherman's Choice in Eastpoint. Entry is free and generally about 200 kids sign up.
June 11-12 - Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Bass Tournament
Inaugural Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce Bass Tournament, this is a two day event with weigh–ins on bothSaturday and Sunday. $60 per boat entry fee, boats can have up to two persons fishing. Cash Prizes going to the top three total weights.
June 17-19 - Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic The Moorings of Carrabelle will host the 28th Annual Big Bend Classic on Father's Day Weekend, June 17th through the 19th, 2016 All of the proceeds from the Big Bend Saltwater Classic are used to develop artificial reefs in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico.
July 16 - C-Quarters Youth Fishing Tournament - C-Quarters Marina, Carrabelle. Kids from all over the South are invited to attend the 12th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament. Open to all kids 16 and younger.
August 6-7 - 13th Annual Kingfishing Tournament, C-Quarters Marina, Carrabelle. This weekend event gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy themselves while advocating a wonderful cause that helps so many. All proceeds go to the Leukemia Research Foundation.
For a complete list of tournaments planned for later this summer as well as other events in the county, click here. For area marina, charter and general fishing information, click here.
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Independence Day Festivities Planned
From Alligator Point to Apalachicola, almost every community is planning Independence Day festivities.
Apalachicola
In Apalachicola,the Historic Apalachicola Main Street group presents Apalachicola Independence Eve Celebration onSunday, July 3 featuring seafood in the park, parade, ice cream social, music and fireworks.Leading up to the fireworks display, Main Street provides live music, great food, and beverages starting at 5 p.m. at Riverfront Park. This year’s featured entertainment will be the Tobacco Road Band, doing their signature country and everyone’s favorite covers. The Red, White and Blue Parade coordinated by Franklin’s Promise Coalition, starts at Lafayette Park at 6:30. It’s an Apalachicola tradition that welcomes golf carts, people on bicycles, and even dogs to get decked out in patriotic colors and form a parade. Free ice cream brings everyone together at Riverfront Park at the end of the parade. Project Impact provides face painting and other kid-friendly activities.
St. George Island
On St. George Island, everyone is welcome to join in the annualJuly 4th celebration. Stick around all day and enjoy fireworks and festivities on the beach about dark-thirty.
Carrabelle
In Carrabelle, the town will gather for July 4th festivities,including fireworks over the river.
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Art Gallery Crawl June 4
Art Galleries in downtown Apalachicola will host a Gallery Crawl on Saturday, June 4. Join them for an evening of art, music and light refreshments in historic downtown Apalachicola from from6 -9 pm.
While you're in town, you can view a festive Cuban art collectionof 36 paintings created by 12 of the artists who participated in Plein Air Magazine’s Cuban Invitational event at On The Waterfront Gallery. The artists spent a week in February capturing the flavor of the heretofore forbidden destination.The Cuban plein air works will remain on display at On the Waterfront until the end of June.
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Upcoming Eventsat a Glance
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Turtle Season Begins
Franklin County's beaches will soon be host to nesting sea turtles that make their way from the Gulf to nest among the shoreline dunes. It is the season when local volunteer turtlers begin walking the beach in order to find, mark and protect turtle nests and when homeowners and visitors are educated about turtle friendly house lighting. Visitors interested in learning about sea turtle nesting can visit the St. George Island Visitor’s Center (at the St. George Island Lighthouse Park) to see a turtle display and pick up turtle information.
Please note that Franklin County recently adopted a Leave No Trace Ordinance that requires chairs, umbrellas and equipment to removed nightly from the public beaches in order to help mama turtles more easily navigate the beaches to nest and allow hatchlings a clear path back to the water from their nests in the dunes.
Want to learn more? The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve will host weekly "turtle talks" beginning in June at the ANERR's Eastpoint Visitor Center each Wednesday from 2-3 pm to educate visitors about the nesting sea turtles.
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