Parks, Trails & Outdoor Recreation in St. Johns County
St. Johns County has a surprisingly deep park system — from major youth-sports complexes and shaded playgrounds to St. Johns River parks, coastal preserves, state parks and miles of paved and natural-surface trails. This guide focuses on the county's major public recreation destinations, plus the natural areas and bike paths worth knowing.
Major St. Johns County Parks at a Glance
| Park | Playground | Dog Park | Sports | Trails | Water Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans Park | Yes | Yes | Extensive | Walking | — | Sports & families |
| Treaty Park | ADA | Yes | Extensive | Yes | — | All-around recreation |
| Davis Park | Yes | 2 dog parks | Extensive | Passive areas | — | Youth sports |
| Aberdeen Park | ADA | — | Yes | — | — | Inclusive play & sports |
| Alpine Groves Park | Yes | — | — | ADA trail | Fishing pier | Nature & history |
| Nocatee Community Park | Yes | Yes | Yes | Walking/biking | — | Families |
| Ron Parker Park | 2 playscapes | Yes | Yes | — | — | Kids & courts |
| Trout Creek Park | Yes | — | Gaga ball | Yes | Boat ramp | Boating & nature |
| Bird Island Park | Yes | — | — | Boardwalk | Wetland views | Quiet family walks |
| Canopy Shores Park | Yes | — | — | 1-mile paved loop | Nearby ICW | Walking & biking |
| Vaill Point Park | Yes | — | — | Yes | Waterfront | Scenic nature |
| SE Intracoastal Waterway Park | — | — | — | Nature trail | Scenic overlook | Coastal nature |
The parks locals use again and again
Veterans Park
Treaty Park
Davis Park
Aberdeen Park
Alpine Groves Park
Nocatee Community Park
Ron Parker Park
Trout Creek Community Park & Boat Ramp
Bird Island Park
Canopy Shores Park
Vaill Point Park
Southeast Intracoastal Waterway Park
Don't overlook these local recreation spots
These are also part of the county's current parks system and are worth including in a truly useful local guide.
Baseball, basketball, multipurpose recreation and pavilion space.
19-acre active recreation complex with fields and courts.
Community athletic fields with parking and restrooms.
27 acres with baseball, softball and lighted tennis courts.
Large 106-acre complex anchored by four lighted youth baseball fields.
Additional multipurpose athletic space serving northwest St. Johns.
St. Johns River access, boating, fishing and picnic space.
Neighborhood recreation with basketball, dog park, fields and pavilion.
Boardwalk, pavilion, athletic fields and dog-friendly recreation.
21-acre complex with football/multipurpose fields, pavilion and playground.
Community recreation with baseball, basketball, grills and community-center access.
Major West Augustine recreation area adjoining the Solomon Calhoun Community Center.
Hastings-area baseball, basketball, multipurpose space and pavilion.
Playground, pavilions and multipurpose space near the state trail corridor.
Community center, playground, trail, field, picnic areas and restrooms.
Neighborhood playground, pavilion, parking and restrooms near the beaches.
Small community park celebrating Hastings' Florida East Coast Railway history.
Neighborhood basketball, pavilion and playground in St. Augustine South.
6.5-acre baseball complex with two lighted youth fields and restrooms.
Beach access, pier, volleyball and recreation. See the full StJohnsFL.org Beaches guide.
St. Johns County also maintains smaller neighborhood parks, boat ramps, waterfront access points, school-field recreation sites and beach parks. Use the official St. Johns County Parks Directory for the full facility-by-facility inventory.
For hiking, wildlife and quieter outdoor time
Nocatee Preserve
501 Davis Park Road, St. Augustine, FL 32081
Large conservation area with unpaved trails for walking, jogging, mountain biking, birding, photography and horseback riding.
Twelve Mile Swamp
Public recreation access is off International Golf Parkway, west of U.S. 1.
The recreation area includes 2.2 miles of trail open to hiking, bicycling and horseback riding through pine forest and wetland habitat.
Julington-Durbin Preserve
A large preserve along Julington and Durbin creeks with approximately 6.5 miles of marked natural-surface multi-use trails.
Popular for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, running, fishing and wildlife viewing.
Beluthahatchee Park
A small public park preserving the former home and natural setting of author and civil-rights activist Stetson Kennedy.
Stokes Landing Conservation Area
Salt-marsh and upland conservation land along the Tolomato River corridor, managed for habitat protection and passive outdoor recreation.
Moses Creek, Deep Creek & Gourd Island
St. Johns River Water Management District conservation lands add thousands of acres of protected habitat around the county.
Three state parks worth knowing
Anastasia State Park
300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Faver-Dykes State Park
1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine, FL 32086
Fort Mose Historic State Park
15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Where to bike away from regular road traffic
St. Johns County is better for biking than it first appears — especially if you know where the dedicated and natural-surface trails are.
Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail
A 12-foot-wide paved rail-trail through St. Johns and Putnam counties. St. Johns County access points include Vermont Boulevard, Vermont Heights, Armstrong Park and Cora C. Harrison Preserve.
Good for: Road bikes, hybrids, running, family rides and longer mileage without riding directly in traffic.
Trail Map & AccessNocatee Preserve
The county's current trail map shows a dedicated mountain-bike trail plus a longer preserve trail road. Expect natural surfaces rather than a paved greenway.
Good for: Mountain bikes, gravel-capable bikes and riders who want a more natural route.
Official Trail MapCanopy Shores Park
A simple, shady paved loop through oak hammock — especially good for younger riders, walkers and anyone who wants an easy spin.
Good for: Families, casual cycling and walking.
Julington-Durbin Preserve
Marked multi-use trails through sandhill, flatwoods and creek-edge habitat. Bicycles share the preserve with hikers and equestrians.
Good for: Mountain bikes, trail running and north-county nature rides.
Twelve Mile Swamp
The designated recreation area includes a loop open to hikers, cyclists and equestrians.
Good for: Short off-road rides and wildlife viewing.
St. Johns River to Sea Loop
The Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail is part of the larger 260-mile St. Johns River to Sea Loop, which is still being completed across five counties.
Good for: Riders interested in longer-distance regional trail connections.
About the LoopTrail crossings, access rules and surface conditions can change. On the Palatka-to-St. Augustine State Trail, cyclists are responsible for stopping at road intersections; cross traffic does not stop.
Best St. Johns County Parks by Category
Related local guides
Park amenities, field access, hours, trail conditions and construction can change. StJohnsFL.org uses current county, city, state-park and conservation-agency information, but visitors should confirm conditions with the managing agency before making a special trip.