There’s very few SPs in Florida that will put you right on or near the ocean as Little Talbot Island SP does. And to be clear, this CG isn’t RIGHT on the beach, but you’ll just have to cross the street, after hiking or biking 100 yards from the campground, to reach the amazing white caps here. As my post from 2½ years ago provided quite a bit of detail on this campground, I’m following up on that review by sharing more fotos as well as providing a topline update:

Highlights: (1) Very quick access to the Atlantic Ocean – and the beaches here are not crowded and incredibly well-maintained - some of the cleanest I've ever encountered; (2) Solid peace & quiet surrounded by ancient live oaks just dripping with Spanish moss; (3) Amazing kite-surfing just due south of here at Huguenot Memorial Park; (4) The SP Rangers are incredibly friendly, helpful and very professional; (5) Approximately 4 miles of excellent paved biking / walking on the Timucuan Trail that runs parallel to A1A; (6) For anyone wanting to take iconic photos next to the ocean, go check out Boneyard Beach that has hundreds of salt-washed skeletons of live Oak, Cypress and Cedar trees; (7) Call upon Kayak Amelia for a guided tour of the estuaries; (8) Key-coded security gate provides solid safety, especially being located right next to A1A, where the opportunity for random, wandering visitors exist; (9) Bring your own kayak and canoe as there are access points to launch from right near the campground; and (10) Should you want to ‘get off the reservation’ you just need to head north to Amelia Island where you’ll have no shortage of AMAZING restaurants to choose from and there’s also a well-appointed Harris Teeter that has wood and ice for sale as well as just about anything you might need to stock up on

Lowlights: (1) While functional and fairly clean, the restroom and shower facilities are in dire need of refurbishment; (2) The sites are fairly unlevel with roots from the ancient and live Oaks popping up here and there making it very difficult to find a decent level patch of ground to set up camp; (3) Some of the sites have dips and depressions in them, making those particular areas prone for flooding – which happened to us; and (4) Mosquitos, midges and bugs exist here in swarms that never go away … so bring your repellent as well as smoke fogger machine!

Happy Camping!

Simply put, the ‘surf’ side of Little Talbot Island State Park is all white capped oceanfront and white sand beach paradise with its opposing side strategically located across the street is the ‘turf’ that hosts some 3 dozen or so campsites in lush, verdant foliage completely encapsulating the campground in a jungle-like canopy of ancient Oaks complete with signature draping Spanish moss. While there’s definitely oceanfront camping options out there, particularly in Florida, what is quite unique about Little Talbot is that while you will be able to access the beach and ocean, you aren’t parked right in front of it. In fact, you’ll have a decent hike or a short ride to get to the seaside from your campsite. 

Serene beaches await you on this remote barrier island where snake-like river inlets provide ample kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding and boating options further inland, while choppy waves from the frolicking Atlantic Ocean will beckon you further east. Beachside, you’ll discover that there’s half a dozen or so picnic shelters running parallel to the seaside, along with a perfectly paved bicycling / running pathway along with dedicated restroom and shower facilities. Just over the sand dunes, you will arrive at some of the most pristine, well-kept beaches in Florida’s entire eastern coastline. 

With the actual campground in mind, there’s 3 circular loops or ‘neighborhoods’ that the campsites are organized around – on the far eastern side are sites 1-10, and by far, these are the most secluded, but also IMHO, the best of all the sites. There’s great growth here between each individual campsite, so while you’ll hear (and likely see) your neighbors, there is a decent amount of privacy. The second set of sites 11– 20 sit in the center of the campground and nearest to the bathroom and shower facilities (which are just OK BTW), but offer somewhat better waterviews of Myrtle Creek and further beyond that, Simpson Creek. These sites are much more open and don’t offer much if any privacy. The third set of sites is on the far western side of the campground and feels the most dated and in dire need of some TLC as most of the sites I saw were overgrown with substantial leaf pile-up on the picnic tables, which were pretty dilapidated anyway. 

As far as amenities are concerned, bearing in mind this campground leans more basic, rustic and primitive, you'll find: 20 / 30 amp electricity, fresh water, decent fire ring w/ BBQ lid and picnic tables.  There is a laundry facility along with two bathhouses and there is a proper trash dumpster upon exiting the campground.  There's a decent kayak / canoe launch (and if you don't have your own, Kayak Amelia located just a 1/4 mile up the road has rentals) on the western periphery of the campground where there is a short dock for casting a fishing line along with a bait cleaning station.  The kiddos will discover a nearly brand new playground (although submerged by water when we were there) and a group campfire circle for larger groups offered on a first-come, first-served basis

Insider’s tips? Here's a few: (1) If you’d like to get a good hike on, well, of course you have the 7 miles of unspoiled beach shoreline, but if you’re looking for something further inland there is a small nature loop that is pretty nice and is located at the campground; (2) Up in these parts, you have to mind the timing for low and high tide, so when checking in, ask the park rangers and they’ll get you all squared away; (3) no pets on the beach or boardwalks; and (4) If you need a break from roasting hotdogs and beans fireside, head due south to The Sand Dollar for some pretty great seafood while overlooking St. Johns River with Jacksonville as a backdrop. 

Happy Camping!

Little Talbot is just over a small bridge to Amelia Island via A1A. Inside an ecological reserve with kayakable waterways stretching for miles.

My visit was at the end of February, beautiful breezy nights with no bugs. Super relaxing, nice to camp under Spanish Moss for a natural Florida feel. Because you’re on the Atlantic coast in FL, flash showers happen - so just have the rain fly handy and it’ll pass typically pretty quickly. Fun to pull up the weather map and watch the showers roll in - had wifi from the site but don’t know if that’s always the case, seems unlikely.

Had campsite 6 with one neighbor in 5, both are a quick walk to shower house but I think I’d prefer/recommend sites 7-10 to be more away from the bathrooms. Btw, showers and bathrooms very clean and (bonus!) screened in, plus there’s a big fan in case it gets buggy out.

I agree with one of the past reviews re: some road noise, but nothing that kept me awake at all.

Take the walk across the street to the trails and beach, about a 4-5 mile loop. Or just up the road on bike you’ll be on bike trails throughout Amelia Island - stop in at the Omni Hotel property for a bite. Also close by, don’t miss Fernandina Beach (a leisurely drive of about 25 min.) where you can check out the fort and historic downtown - super cool with some good food and beer options. Photogenic town right on the Georgia line but no bridge so it’s boat only to get across.

Last, just a little plug for the FL State Parks annual pass. Supports a good cause and will motivate you to check out some really cool areas of the state. Camp more too.

This is a State Park I grew up in, camping illegally dodging park rangers, so I’m somewhat biased but become more lawful. Campground sits in an oak hammock on Myrtle Creek salt marsh directly across A1A from the ranger station and one of the most pristine beaches in Florida. The best sites afford a view the salt marsh but they are limited in number and accessibility. The whole campground is very tight and big rigs will find it impossible. Follow the guidelines on size allowance on the booking site. Things to bring: beach gear, bikes, kayaks, fishing gear. Big Talbot Island is just to the north and has a bike trail that can be ridden all the way to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach a great foodie and shopping town with history. The bike trail is mostly well off A1A and shaded there is one bridge crossing from Big Talbot to Amelia that you’re forced to use the shoulder of A1A. I concur with an earlier review that 38 is THE site 39 is also a great view but they have the power on the correct side and water far away and on the wrong (passenger) side. we had to go into town and buy a second hose to make water connection.

If you can’t get into Fort Clinch State Park, this small (40 site) campground is a good option as long as you don’t have a large RV. Our 17-foot campervan did just fine, but the sites are not very large and there are some low hanging branches. Some sites are more private than others. IMO, the best site is#38, a pull-through with no neighbors on either side or behind. Sadly, it was empty when we were there! 

Check-in is across the street from the campground. The ranger who checked us in was very helpful and explained everything we needed to know. The roads and pads are dirt so they can get muddy when it rains (didn’t rain when we were there but the puddles suggested it had done so recently). Also, the roads are narrow and there are no signs indicating they are one-way so if two vehicles meet, one of them will need to pull over! Again, this would be challenging or impossible for large RVs. 

The restrooms were clean (with HOT water!) and there were two of them for the campground which was more than sufficient. Appeared there were multiple hosts.  

There is a very walkable beach with access across the road from the campground – about a half-mile walk to get to the access point; I enjoyed a morning walk and didn’t see a soul. If you have a kayak, you can launch it from the campground.

Very reasonable price($27) for a water and electric site.

My first solo tent camping trip, February 2019. So quiet, beautiful, that even whispering sounded to loud. Check in was easy, the ranger was friendly gave me easy directions to site #39. The camp grounds are on intercostal side of the park. The beach is the other side of the road.

My site was secluded and surrounded by lush natural vegetation and huge oak trees. Water, electric, fire pit with grill. After setting up my tent and unloading the car, took a walk around the camp grounds. Nicely maintained, not really designed for large RV’s road are narrow. Very few empty spots. The bathrooms were spotless and large. Nice playground for children. Excellent open space to launch kayaks. Camp sites were sandy with some shells, so if tenting, putting a tarp under your tent would be prudent. Thru out the night the rangers had regular patrols. There is a naval station nearby, so there helicopters patrolling as well. I felt safe and slept like a baby.

The beachside is like no other. A short stroll over the dunes on a well marked path leads a beautiful untouched beach and driftwood. About 5 miles of packed sand made an easy walk. Take your kite!

Will plan to visit again!