Paradise near historic St. Augustine.
The Setting
More than 300 years ago, sites like the coquina quarries located within Anastasia State Park were busy with workers, mostly Native Americans, hauling out blocks of rock. By the late 1700s, the Native American population had died out and quarry workers were usually enslaved Africans and captured Europeans. With hand tools, they hewed out blocks of the soft shellstone and pried the squares loose along natural layers in the rock. The blocks were loaded onto ox-drawn carts then barged across Matanzas Bay to the town of St. Augustine. The blocks were used to construct the Castillo de San Marcos and many other buildings.
From its founding in 1565, St. Augustine had been a struggling outpost of Spain’s American empire. Spanish soldiers built their fort and their homes out of the plentiful pine trees and palmetto. Time after time their wooden settlement was destroyed by storms or burned by pirates and other raiders. On Anastasia Island the Spaniards discovered a better building material—deposits of a rock made of broken shells. As early as 1598, they dug enough to build a gunpowder storage magazine, but they lacked the workforce, the engineering skills and the tools to excavate enough for a large structure.
In 1671 large-scale quarrying began in the stone pits. Coquina rock is relatively soft and easy to cut while in the ground and hardens when exposed to air. The Spanish learned to waterproof the stone walls by coating them with plaster and paint. When besieging ships bombarded the Castillo, the walls simply absorbed the cannon balls. Coquina continued to be a prized building material for the Spanish, British (1763-83) and the Americans (1821).
The Facility
Anastasia’s full-facility campground features 139 sites with electric and water hookups for RVs and tents. A communal dump station is available at no extra charge. Hot water showers and laundry facilities are available. Island Joe’s also features a free wi fi hotspot and a phone jack at the pay phone. Anastasia’s Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library for campers aged four to nine offers picture books about the sights and sounds found in the park. Ask to check out a book at the ranger station.
Camping Tips
- Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year.
- Pets are permitted in designated areas only. Pets must be kept on a hand-held leash no longer than 6 feet and be well behaved at all times.
- Florida’s state parks are committed to providing equal access to all facilities and programs. Should you need assistance to enable your participation, please contact the ranger station.
Park Features
Anastasia’s beautiful beach attracts walkers, joggers, anglers, birders and nature-lovers. Quality beach breaks and seasonally warm water draw surfers and kayakers. Lifeguards protect the swimming area during the summer months. Hike the beach and look for birds, dolphins and whales.
Bicyclists enjoy more than 4 miles of beach and several miles of park roads. Island Joe’s sells beach sundries and camping and fishing supplies. It also rents bicycles, beach chairs and umbrellas, canoes, kayaks, sailboards and paddleboats. Lessons on various water sports are available. Island Joe’s also features a tropical grill.
Anastasia has three picnic areas with tables and restrooms. Inquire at the ranger station about renting a pavilion for a group picnic. Three playgrounds are also provided.
Address
1340-A A1A South
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Learn more about this park and book your reservation online 
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