The Anastasia State Recreation Area offers areas for camping, hiking, fishing, picnics, barbecues, nature walks, beach volleyball and simply relaxing in the sun. The natural beauty of the area is accented by the 1,700-acre bird sanctuary, rich with four miles of beach, lagoon waterways and plentiful wildlife. Tours provide visitors with experienced guides who can point out the flora and fauna that inhabit the Recreation Area. Fifteen miles south of St. Augustine, Faver-Dykes State Park offers a scenic canoe trail that winds along saltwater Pellicer Creek. There are also nature trails, picnic areas, campgrounds, a fishing dock and a boat ramp for small boats in Faver-Dykes.
Sand dunes form protective bluffs with the help of swaying sea oates.
In northern St. Johns County, the beaches of Ponte Vedra are characterized by their towering dunes, shell-sprinkled shores and plentiful, natural foliage. Truly a vacationer's paradise and near some of the finest resorts in the United States, visitors can ride horses in the surf, enjoy a stroll in the soft sand, fish or simply sit back and enjoy a spectacular sunrise over the ocean. At Guana River State Park, located on A1A south of Ponte Vedra Beach, fishing and boating opportunities attract sportsmen. Saltwater anglers can fish in the ocean or the Guana River or enjoy freshwater and saltwater fishing in Guana Lake. Boat launches are available at both the river and lake.