From Trails to Tides: Discover the Wonders of Bald Point State Park
Bald Point State Park in Alligator Point, Florida, is an off-the-beaten-path gem that is full of adventure. Paddle a kayak on the Chaires Creek or Tucker Lake, watch for migrating birds, hike some of the 18 miles of multi-use trails, fish the oyster bars, or simply enjoy an afternoon on the sandy banks of the Apalachee Bay.
Words and Photographs by Sara Sheehy
Live Wildly Lead Adventurist
Things to Do at Bald Point State Park
Watch for Migratory Birds
Birders will love Bald Point State Park, which is a stop on the Great Florida Birding Trail. This park is a particularly great spot in the fall and winter, when you can observe the hawk migration and catch a glimpse of over-wintering birds like piping plovers and marbled gobwits.
Have a Beach Day
Bald Point State Park has two beach areas, both along the Apalachee Bay and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Pitch an umbrella and a chair and relax in the quiet, or wander the coastline for shells and hermit crabs.
More fun at the beach: Explore Canaveral National Seashore: Rocket Launches, Wildlife, and Uncrowded Beaches
Explore the Kayak Trails
Start your paddling adventure on Tucker Lake, a large brackish lake with a flat, sandy launch. From there, you can make your way down Chaires Creek to the extensive tidal creek system at Ochlockonee Bay.
Take a Hike
Bald Point State Park offers 18 miles of multi-use trails that range from wanders along the coast to paths through the uplands. The park spans a massive 12,000 acres, so there are a lot of different landscapes and habitats to explore.
Fishing on the Oyster Bars
Wading out to the Oyster bars is a popular activity at Bald Point State Park, where if you’re lucky, you might reel in a red or sea trout. Other fishing spots in the park include an accessible fishing pier in Ochlockonee Bay, the bridge over Chaires Creek on Range Road, and from your canoe or kayak in Tucker Lake.
The Details
Address: 146 Box Cut Road, Alligator Point, Florida
Hours: 8:00 AM to sunset, 365 days a year
Fees: $4 per vehicle
Accessibility: Accessible amenities at Bald Point State Park include an accessible boardwalk and observation deck, outdoor showers/rinse stations, picnic pavilions, a beach wheelchair, and Mobi-mat beach access.
