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Northwest Florida 

Big Lagoon State Park 

One of Florida’s Best Water Parks 

Real Fun in the Real Florida 

Since opening in 1978, Big Lagoon State Park has 

attracted recreational enthusiasts from around the 

world. With 678 upland acres located along the 

Intracoastal Waterway the park offers visitors 

many opportunities to enjoy natural Florida. Come 

for the afternoon, the weekend or longer. 

The park beckons visitors with opportunities for 

camping, swimming, fishing, boating, 

canoeing and hiking. Fishing can bring in catches 

of redfish, bluefish, flounder and sea trout. 

Crabbing and fishing for mullet in the lagoon are 

also popular. There are four sheltered picnic 

areas along the shores. The Governor ’s Pavilion 

accommodates larger groups. Swimming and 

beach activities are popular attractions at Big 

Lagoon. A boat ramp and dock provide easy 

access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf 

of Mexico. 

The park offers 75 campsites equipped with 

water, electricity, fire ring, and picnic table. A 
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dump station is also provided. Guided walks, 

campfire programs and recreational skills 

programs are offered seasonally and upon special 

request for groups. 

Narrow beaches, shallow bays, open 

woodlands, and 5 miles of hiking and nature 

trails offer opportunities for nature study. The 

observation tower at East Beach provides an 

incredible view of the park, Gulf Islands National 

Seashore and Perdido Key. As a gateway site for 

the Great Florida Birding Trail, the tower 

overlooks areas popular to nesting shorebirds, 

wintering ducks, and numerous marsh birds. 

History and Nature 

This park sits on the northern shoreline of its 

namesake, Big Lagoon, which separates the 

mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. 

Natural communities, ranging from saltwater 

marshes to pine flatwoods, attract a wide variety 

of birds, especially during the spring and fall 

migrations. 

A variety of plant communities occur in the area. 

Look for sandpine scrub on the sandy relic dunes. 

Vegetation dwarfed, twisted and gnarled, provide 
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evidence of the harsh conditions on the dunes that 

protect the mainland from storm winds. Slash 

pines growing in “swales” (elongated troughs 

parallel to the dune ridges) often grow in wet or 

even water-logged soil and become impenetrable 

thickets. 

The sandy beaches and salt marshes bordering Big 

Lagoon add variety to the scenery. Valued as 

wetlands, the salt marshes attract and provide 

important habitat for numerous birds and animals. 

Gray foxes, raccoons, deer and opossums are often 

observed in the park. Great blue herons and other 

waterfowl can be seen near Big Lagoon while 

upland portions of the park provide refuge for 

cardinals, towhees, brown thrashes and 

nuthatches. 

Big Lagoon State Park derives its name from the 

bordering body of water along its southern shore. 

Natural communities, ranging from tidal salt 

marshes to pine flatwoods, attract a wide variety 

of birds, especially during spring and fall 

migrations. 

A variety of plant communities occur in the park. 

Look for sandpine scrub on the sandy relic dunes. 

Dwarfed, twisted and gnarled vegetation provides 

evidence of the harsh environment that exists here 
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to protect the inland habitats from heavy storms 

and high winds. Slash pines grow throughout the 

dune “swales” but also grow in wet or waterlogged 

soil among impenetrable thickets. The sandy 

beaches and salt marshes of the area add variety 

to the scenery. Valued as wetlands, marshes 

attract and provide important habitat for many 

birds and animals. Foxes, raccoons, deer and 

opossums are often observed in the park. Great 

blue herons, king rails and other waterfowl are 

daily visitors. Upland portions of the park provide 

refuge for cardinals, towhees, brown thrashes and 

nuthatches. 

Directions

From I-10 exit 7, go south on Pine Forest Rd; right 

on Blue Angel Pkwy (SR173); right on Sorrento Rd 

(SR292); left on Bauer Rd (CR293); park entrance 

is at the end of Bauer. 

Park Guidelines 

• Hours are 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. 

• An entrance fee is required. 
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• All plants, animals and park property are 

protected. Collection, destruction or 

disturbance is prohibited. 

• Fishing, boating, swimming and fires are 

allowed in designated areas only. A Florida 

fishing license may be required. 

• Fireworks and hunting are prohibited. 

• Become a volunteer. Inquire at the ranger 

station. 

• Join Friends of Big Lagoon/Perdido Key State 

Parks. Call (850) 492-2785 or visit 

friendsofbiglagoon.org. 

• For camping information, contact Reserve 

America at (800) 326-3521 or (866) I CAMP FL 

or TDD (888) 433-0287 or visit 

ReserveAmerica.com. 

• 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. 
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Contact Information 

Florida State Parks 

Department of Environmental Protection 

Division of Recreation and Parks 

Big Lagoon State Park 

12301 Gulf Beach Highway 

Pensacola, FL 32507 

(850) 492-1595 

FloridaStateParks.org