Big Talbot Island State Park

It breaks my heart a little every time someone says that there aren't any interesting outdoors areas in this region of ours.

So there's no mountains, no snow capped peaks, not even a hill to speak of. Our handful of ancient ruins and historical sites are flanked by souvenir shops. There are no natural lakes, only man-made retention ponds. But there are indeed some treasures of the natural world hidden behind the endless and seemingly uniform walls of trees.

The Big Talbot Island State Park is one of the most amazing sites upon which I've had the pleasure of treading. Most of the parks in our region, be they state, national, or local, have some incredible landscapes, natural features, and nature trails (upon which it is not uncommon to see a few interesting creatures) but Big Talbot Island has probably the most unique feature out of them all.

But first, an overview. Here's what the official site has to say:

Located on one of Northeast Florida’s unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island State Park is primarily a natural preserve providing a premier location for nature study, bird-watching, and photography. Explore the diverse island habitats by hiking Blackrock Trail to the shoreline, Big Pine Trail to the marsh or Old Kings Highway and Jones Cut through the maritime forest.

Launch a boat from the north end of the island to fish and tour the salt marsh or rent a kayak and take a guided paddle tour with Kayak Amelia, (888) 30-KAYAK (305-2925). Kayak tours require advanced reservation.

Visit The Bluffs and enjoy a picnic at one of the pavilions overlooking the water or take a quick stroll down the trail to Boneyard Beach. The unique beach is famous for the salt washed skeletons of live oak and cedar trees that once grew near the shore.

Boneyard Beach, or as it's known among many less-creative locals (present party included): Dead Tree Beach, is a majestic site to behold. Arriving at this beach for the first time can be like walking into a dream. The enormous carcasses of ancient oaks litter the shoreline, dumped into the sand and waters as the sea gradually washes the ground out from underneath them. It's a mystical place that carries the emotional weight of sacred ground without requiring a contrived story. So much comes to mind but there's not a lot I can relate. Perhaps it's best you experience the wonder for yourself.

Unless, of course, you're one of those people who feels compelled to carve your initials into trees or stone. If that's the case then I suggest you just go play in traffic instead and leave the natural wonders to those who truly appreciate them.

Tread lightly and with respect.

Admission Fees:
$2.00 per vehicle.
$2.00 per person to access the George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier.
$3.00 per vehicle entrance fee to access the Bluffs picnic area.
$4.00 to use the boat launch.

Big Talbot Island State Park
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32226
(904) 251-2320

Kayak Amelia

As this past week of non-stop rain has reminded us, Florida is a wet place. Here in Jacksonville we're conveniently nestled between the ocean and the St. Johns River with a myriad of streams and marshes cutting through the land between. And as the warm summer months approach, the impetus to move outdoors grows, thrusting us into welcome encounters with local water bodies.

One great way to stay cool and active is to go kayaking but unless you're going to make it a regular part of your repertoire, the cost of acquiring all of the necessary materials (kayak, paddle, life jacket, keg of mosquito repellant) can be quite high and transporting them is cumbersome (to say the least), so it's more advisable that the casual paddler rent rather than own.

Nestled in amongst the sparsely populated and protected areas of Little Talbot Island, Big Talbot Island, and the Timucuan Preserve, Kayak Amelia is a great place to go to satisfy your Kayaking needs. And when I say nestled I do mean it. The turn is easy to miss so look for that sign. You can rent a single kayak for 4 hours at $30 or $45 for more than 4 hours. The price for a tandem kayak is $45 or $60 for the same time periods. There are also classes for those looking to improve their paddling skills.

But the most attractive offerings, and what drew us to the place, were the guided tours. These can be as simple as paddling around the marsh and learning about the wildlife, hopping between sandbars, or navigating the Fort George River along the same route that river traders took to the Kingsley Plantation. For the more adventurous there's the Sunset tour and the Moonlite tour that take you out paddling at dusk and under the cover of darkness. Trust me, wandering through the marsh under the glorious, colorful skies at sunset is an experience you won't forget.

Most of these tours cost around $60 per person which covers the rental and usually a snack. Recently they've also added Bike tours on Mondays from 10am to noon for $45 per person.

Even if Kayaking is not your thing, I still highly recommend heading to the general area. It's a lovely region and refreshingly unmarred by expansive development.

Kayak Amelia
13030 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville FL, 32226
888-30-KAYAK
904-251-0016