Activities
XPark Ranger led programs are held every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park ranger to explore the flora, fauna and cultural history of the Talbot Islands. Programs are scheduled each Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. Examples of Park Ranger choice programs include:
  Guided nature trail walks Beach walks
  Wildflower walks Sea Turtle Programs
  Island history talks Marsh Walks
  Talbot Critters  Outdoor gourmet
  Sea Islands Puppet Shows
  contact ranger station 904-251-2320 for more info
Park Ranger Aaron Rodriguez describes the critters that call the Talbot Islands home
XXXPark Ranger led programs - Upcoming schedule
Program title Date Time Meeting place Info
Florida Sea Turtles Sat Sept 4 2pm Pavillion #1 Join a park ranger and learn about the lifecycle of the sea turtle and the importance of these creatures.
Reading with a Librarian & Beach Walk Sat Sept 11 10am Pavillion #6 Join a local Librarian for the reading of a beach themed children’s book with a beach walk led by a park ranger after the reading. This program will take place at pavilion 6 on Little Talbot Island. No reservations are necessary and the program is free with regular park admission. September 10 through 12, if you show the ranger at the ranger station a library card or a library book or donate a new or gently used book you will receive free admission to the park.
Nature Hike Sat. Sept. 11 2pm Ribault Club Join a Park Ranger for a leisurely paced hike to discover the island’s natural communities. Participants are encouraged to bring bug spray and bottled water.
Reading with a Ranger Sun Sept 12 10am Ribault Club Join a ranger for an interactive reading of the delightful children’s book A Day in the Salt Marsh by Kevin Kurtz. Learn about what happens in a salt marsh hour by hour as the tide rises and falls. Enjoy illustrations of the animals that inhabit the salt marsh, and learn how they go about their lives in their ever changing environment. Try your hand at games and activities featuring the salt marsh or take a walk on your own to see some of the plants and animals of the marsh first hand.
Literacy Month Presentations Sun Sept 12 10am-1pm Ribault Club Come and listen to local speakers as they talk about nature related topics including The St. Johns River, outdoor photography, Florida friendly landscaping, and green living.
Talbot Critters Sat Sept 18 2pm Pavillion #1 Join a park ranger to learn about the many common species that inhabit the natural communities of the undeveloped barrier islands of northeast Florida.
Archaeology of the Talbot Islands Sat. Sept 25 2pm Ribault Club The Talbot Islands have a rich cultural history that dates back over 5,000 years. Join a Park Ranger for a look into these past cultures and the artifacts they left behind.
National Public Lands Day Sat Sept 25 9am Pavillion #1 National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Help us keep the park clean by coming out and volunteering your time. Registration for the clean-up will be at pavilion one on Little Talbot Island.
International Coastal Cleanup Day Sun. Sept 26 9am Amelia Island State Park The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is the world's largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up the marine environment. Do your part and help the park clean-up these pristein beaches. Registration for the clean-up will be at the first parking lot on Amelia Island.
Shark Teeth Sat Oct 9 2pm Ribault Club Join a park ranger for a discussion on the different types of shark teeth that can be found on the area’s beaches.
Beach Walk Sat Oct 16 2pm Pavillion #1 Join a park ranger for a walk on the beach as they explain the importance of undeveloped beach habitat, including many interesting facts about sea creatures and common shells found in the area.
What Slithers Sat Oct 23 2pm Ribault Club This interpretive program explores the snakes that are native to Florida and live at the Talbot Islands State Parks. Join a Park Ranger and learn how to identify the most common snakes, their habitat and lifecycles. Discover why these critters are important to a healthy and balanced natural community.
Talbot Critters Sat Oct 30 2pm Pavillion #1 Join a park ranger to learn about the many common species that inhabit the natural communities of the undeveloped barrier islands of northeast Florida.
   
 
Little Talbot Island Ranger Station 904-251-2320  
DIRECTIONS TO LITTLE TALBOT ISLAND
DIRECTIONS TO THE RIBAULT CLUB
Directions to Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve

  From I-95 or SR 9A: take Heckscher Drive/ A1A north over the Fort George Inlet bridge. From the bridge proceed approximately 2 miles. Little Talbot Island State Park entrance will be on the right.

From Amelia Island: take A1A south over the Nassau Sound bridge. From the bridge proceed approximately 6-7 miles.  Little Talbot Island State Park entrance will be on the left.  From the Ranger Station proceed down the park drive to beach pavilion 10.

From I-95 or SR 9A: take Heckscher Drive/ A1A north past the St Johns River Ferry. Turn left at the Fort George Island entrance.

From Amelia Island: take A1A south over the Ft George Inlet and past the entrance to Huguenot Park. Turn right at the Fort George Island entrance. After the entrance turn proceed 1.8 miles on Fort George road bearing right at the fork in the road. Proceed past the Episcopal Church and continue until you see the Ribault Club. Parking lot is across the road from the Club.
From I-95 or SR 9A: take Heckscher Drive/ SR 105 northeast to New Berlin Road, turn left. At the intersection with Cedar Point Road turn right.  From Cedar Point Road turn left onto Pumpkin Hill Road.  The parking lot for the state park will be on the left approximately one mile down Pumpkin Hill Road. 
From Amelia Island: take A1A (turns into Heckscher Drive) south to New Berlin Road, turn right.  At the intersection with Cedar Point Road turn right.  From Cedar Point Road turn left onto Pumpkin Hill Road.  The parking lot for the state park will be on the left approximately one mile down Pumpkin Hill Road.
 

There is a wide variety of activities available here in the Talbot Islands State Parks. Kayaking, horsebackriding, Segway tours, fishing, hiking, camping.

Kayaking - The Long Island Outfitter concession is operated by Jody & Ray Hetchka of Kayak Amelia (904)251-0016.They offer guided kayak tours of the salt marsh.Beginners are welcome. All tours are planned to go along with the current to give guests plenty of time to work on kayaking skills and enjoy the sights. There are also canoes and kayaks available to rent.

Horseback Riding -Kelly's Seahorse Ranch (904)491-5166 offers trail rides in Amelia Island State Park. One of the few places in Florida where you can ride on the beach.Trail rides start at 10AM, noon, 2 & 4PM and last about 1 hour. Reservations required.

Fishing - The mile long bridge that previously connected Amelia and Big Talbot Islands is a perfect fishing spot.

Segway tours - Explore the trails through Ft. George and Talbot Islands with Ecomotion Tours 904-251-9477. Knowledgeable guides use headsets to communicate with you along the tours so as not to disturb nature. Segway riding training session is provided at beginning of tour.

Camping - Is only allowed in the campground on Little Talbot Island reservations can be made through Reserv-America 1-800-326-3521.

Hiking - Trails are located in each of the Parks- Big Pine and Black Rock can be accessed from A1A on Big Talbot Island, there is also a trailhead near the ranger station on Little Talbot Island. On Fort George Island you can hike the old golf course.

Friends of Talbot Islands State Parks

12157 Heckscher Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32226

 
Questions about the parks