Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge

This is a spot for a several hour visit. Even with the lighthouse closed, we saw several new birds. Suggestion: stop at headquarters pond for the view overlooking platform. Also right near where the Florida trail crosses there is a spot where the otters have a feast. Enjoy

Florida at its best. It’s a hidden gem in North Florida. Just of 98 and a stunning 10 mike drive to the coast and historic lighthouse. Take time to stop along the way to hike and view the bird living in the refuge. It’s a national refuge so bring your pass if you have one. we were lucky enough to visit when the lighthouse was open and was able to tour the building. There’s also a boat launch at the end of the drive that leads out into the bay. Visitor center is not open every day so check times for hours.

The place closes at 7 PM but it's an automatic gate you can leave at any time. the stargazing is exceptional and the scenery abounds with beauty everywhere you look.

A great place for burning.

An amazing area with abundant wildlife!!! Well worth the 2 hr drive!!! Military can get a free pass!

Beautiful nature. Crazy fog rolled in. Rolling breeze. Pay by your honor no ranger. Lighthouse is only open on Tuesdays 11 am to 2 pm but may be different because of COVID-19. Lot of photographers. Hidden treasure on the Bay.

We drove down to St.Marks while staying at the Wakulla Springs Lodge and thoroughly enjoyed our day hike there! Clean coastal breezes swept in from the Gulf of Mexico and we even saw several alligators in the canals! The old lighthouse was very cool as well!

On a road trip from Atlanta with a friend, we were blown away by how beautiful the park was. Found hermit crabs, saw deer, ducks, and tons of different birds. Went to st Augustine, Jacksonville, Savannah, GA, Chattanooga, TN, Atlanta, and other spots and this was the prettiest spot.

Great place for families to visit. Also for enthusiastic birdwatchers. The wildlife is incredible. We also enjoyed visiting this park because of the bald Eagle. There are plenty of trails for hiking areas for boating and always enjoyable to go out visit the lighthouse

We loved this place. The real beauty of Florida. Miles of beach trails and places to explore. We saw a nice variety of wildlife. Very peaceful, bring a picnic, your fishing gear, stop by the museum and lighthouse. So much to see so stop by the visitor center to get maps and info to make the best use of your time. I wish I was still there ❤

This place is awesome for nature lovers. Alligators, birdwatch, trails, fishing. It is one of the best places in florida to taste the local wildlife. The area is huge you can’t explore it all in one day. Lots of bugs in summer so be prepared. The visitor center is nice where you can buy books of local knowledge and some repellent. This place is a must see.

Wow this place is amazing! Come here if you like nature, want to see some wildlife, and if you like short hikes.... Quick tip, wear sunblock as you are exposed to the sun and in some spots there is little or no overhead cover, but in many places there is shade from trees. Also, take plenty of water and snacks as availability of water and snacks can be limited outside of the visitor center.

While here we spotted a Bald Eagle feeding it's baby which was definitely one of the most amazing things I've seen! I felt like I was in a National Geographic documentary lol.... We also spotted several different types of birds and a gator!

Overall this is a must for any nature lover!

A great refuge with plenty of wildlife to view. We spotted a Bald Eagle, several American Alligators, Ospreys, and Sand Pipers. There are several trails to explore and a couple areas with picnic tables.

Such a beautiful place to empty your brain and reconnect with nature. Looking out into the Gulf of Mexico, you’re surrounded by sheer beauty and magnificence. A pair of bald eagles. A gator peering just above the waterline. Wading birds every where you turn. Gentle waves lapping on the shore. Horseshoe crabs. Fiddler crabs 🦀 by the 1,000’s. An historic Lighthouse. Bike trails and walking paths. And sunsets that will leave your breathless! A must see for travelers and a staple for locals.

My family moved to Tallahassee from Jax in 1976. Born and raised in Florida, the refuge became my very large back yard from '76 until 1999. My father and I brought down every form of water craft we had over the years, from canoes, to small john boats, to small power boats to our final 20-foot center console. I learned to fish, hunt, scallop, cast a mullet net, watch for and identify several types of snakes and got up close and not quite personal with alligators. I've hiked and mountain-biked, made it to the beautiful Pinhook River on several occasions. Earned my hiking merit badge in Scouts after a 20-mile full-day-into-the-evening tromp on the Florida Trail across SMNWF many years ago. I've seen the lighthouse from every angle and waited patiently for it to come into view on the horizon from many a spearfishing trip far offshore. It is truly, truly an amazing place. It holds a lot of history as well. From the vanished town of Port Leon and its long-gone railroad (tho the road bed remains in places), to spots where Confederate forces made salt, to, of course, the lighthouse. It is a treasure and as another reviewer put it, a true gem of a place.

Lovely!!!! I wish we stayed for the sunset. My son was fishing but got no bites. Just a beautiful park.

St Marks National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest and wildest refuges in the United States. Located in the State of Florida has a very nice Lighthouse. The refuge includes property in 3 different counties of Florida, Wakulla, Jefferson & Taylor Counties.
The Lighthouse [ St Marks Lighthouse ] is the second oldest in the State of Florida. Lots of family activities at this site.

Stopped in to check out the park and the ranger was very helpful in getting my dad a lifetime pass for being a veteran. I think it is an awesome benefit so he can enjoy the land he fought to protect.

A treasure in Florida! If you love nature, birds and wildlife this is a must see! I saw alligators, eagles, pelicans, herons, ducks and even a bear crossing the road! It was a fantastic day even though I didn't see any rosette spoonbill or the somewhat elusive flamingo. The cost to get in is $5 per vehicle and the hours are daylight only. I highly recommend stopping in for an afternoon at the refuge!

It's always a pleasure to visit here. The views and bird sightings are amazing.

I absolutely adore this place. Its serene, gorgeous, and full of natural wonder. You never know what animals you'll see there (today we saw a little bobcat and dolphins!) and what amazing photos you'll get. I've been coming here for years and it never gets old!