Anastasia State Park Photography How To Guide

Paul Farace Photography
4 days ago
8 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

This is your full guide on everything to do with Landscape and Nature Photography at Anastasia State Park.

Welcome to my "How To Photograph" Florida location series where I will provide all the information you need to have a successful photo shoot in Florida. I will provide information on parking, the best spots, the best timing and lighting, essential gear, settings and pro tips for each specific location!

Let's dive in.

All images and content by Paul Farace Photography

Paul Farace is an award winning Florida based landscape photographer and author with 20 years of experience, specializing in capturing the state's coastlines and waterways. Operating out of St. Augustine, he shares his expertise through fine art prints, adventure videos, educational workshops, and digital content. Explore his work and bio details at Paul Farace Photography.

Some links on this page are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you use any. An easy way to support my efforts here for free. Thank you!

Anastasia State Park Photography Guide

Soft white sand dunes with sea oats under a pink-and-blue sunset sky, calm coastal landscape with rippled sand in Anastasia Island State Park St Augustine Florida. — Blue hour in the dunes. Anastasia State Park. St Augustine, Florida.

Overview

Location: Anastasia Island in St. Augustine, Florida

Park size: 1600 Acres of diverse coastal ecosystems

Park Hours: 8AM to Sundown (Sunrise is accessible, read on)

Description: 4 miles of pristine beaches, dunes and scrubs along the Atlantic Ocean

History

Coquina Quarries: An archaeological site on the National Register of Historic Places where stonecutters mined coquina rock starting in 1671.

The Fort: The mined stone was used to build the nearby Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and other historic structures.

Rocky tide pool at sunset under dramatic blue and orange clouds, with dark barnacle-covered coquina rock and green moss. — Coquina Rock, from about 10 miles south of Anastasia Island.

Wildlife and Nature

Ecosystems: Includes scrub hammocks, tidal salt marshes, and ancient sand dunes.

Birdwatching: An excellent to view ospreys, eagles, painted buntings, and roseate spoonbills along Salt Run.

Trails: The Ancient Dunes Nature Trail provides pedestrian access through the park flora and dunes.

Sunlit sand dunes with rippled patterns and grasses beside a calm ocean at sunset under a pastel sky in Anastasia State Park St Augustine Florida. — Panoramic photo from the Anastasia sand dunes during sunset.

Amenities & Recreation

Camping: Features 139 campsites inside the scrub hammocks, just a short walk from the ocean.

Gear Rentals: You can can rent kayaks, canoes, sailboards, and paddle boards nearby. Bicycles and beach gear as well.

Anastasia Park Entry Fees: Vehicle entry is generally $8 (for up to 8 occupants), with lower rates for single occupants ($4) or bicyclists and pedestrians ($2).

Person in a red shirt photographs sunlit sand dunes with a Sony camera, viewed from behind in a calm, bright desert scene — Related Video: Photographing Florida’s Hidden Sand Dunes at Sunset (click image to watch)

What an amazing place to visit. If you are lucky enough to secure a camp spot, congrats! But don't worry if you don't have a camping reservation, because you can still access all of the amazing areas throughout the park.

Foggy sandy dunes with sparse grasses under a pale blue sky in Anastasia State Park. St Augustine Florida. — The Anastasia State Park dunes in heavy fog.

Parking & Logistics

How to get to Anastasia Island State Park:

On I-95 take exit 311. Head east on State Road 207. Turn right on State Road 312. Turn left on A1A to head north. After 1.5 miles north look for the main park entrance. https://anastasiastatepark.com/home/about-the-park/getting-here/

Once in head to the main beach parking lot - Anastasia State Main Parking Lot Here. (Maps Link)

The park opens at 8AM, but what if you want to photograph sunrise? If you aren't camping then you can't get into the park until it opens, but the beach is always ready.

Man in black backpack adjusts a camera on a tripod beside two white cars in a foggy beach parking lot at sunrise in the St Augustine Pier Parking Lot.

You might just have to walk a bit extra and there is parking anytime just south near the St. Augustine Pier. A1A Beach Blvd Free Parking Here. (Maps Link) From there it's about a half mile walk north along the coast to Anastasia Beach, where the main park parking lot is located.

Golden sunrise over a misty sand dune with tufts of beach grass, creating a calm, warm, empty landscape in Anastasia State Park.

The Best Spots to Photograph

Anastasia Beach

Right out from the main parking lot is Anastasia Beach area and even right there things are already beautiful. Explore the beach and dunes in this area.

Bird Island

Just north of Anastasia Beach is the Bird Island section. With over 200 bird species Anastasia State Park serves as a premier destination for bird watching and wildlife photography. A favorite, spoonbills, can be found along Salt Run and migratory shorebirds near the beach.

Conch Island

A bit further north is the Conch Island area. Amazing dunes, wildlife and coastal scrubs throughout.

Cape Francis

Cape Francis is situated at the northern tip of Conch Island along the St Augustine Inlet. Quite a long walk out to here, but some amazing landscapes and views!

Salt Run and Salt Run Beach

Salt Run is a 3 and half mile tidal lagoon extending south from the St Augustine Inlet to the eastern side of Anastasia Island. This entire stretch is a favorite for wildlife photographers. Salt Run Beach is near the north west end.

Tripod camera on a windswept sandy beach under dramatic cloudy sky, with sparse grass and gear nearby in Anastasia State Park. St Augustine Florida.

The Best Timing and Lightning

This place is pretty magical so the window to shoot is kind of open. The only "bad" times are during mid day harsh sun, but even then creativity can easily overcome. The heat will usually get you before the light gets unfavorable too.

Golden sunrise over a grassy field with palm trees, bathed in warm yellow light and a calm, hazy atmosphere in Anastasia State Park. St Augustine Florida.

Sunrise and sunset are of course favorites, just plan accordingly because you will be walking in the dark either out or back in. Luckily that is pretty easy along the beach. A beautiful walk too. Just watch out for the migratory shore birds during nesting season, they will dive bomb your head as they did mine several trips!

Orange sunset over silhouetted hills and trees, with hazy golden sky and warm, tranquil mood.

Essential Gear and Camera Settings

Besides your camera and lenses if you only bring one extra piece of gear, let it be a circular polarizing filter. This will help you cut through any glare, harsh sun, water highlights and so on. Almost essential in this environment.

My Circular Polarizing (CPL) Filter - Breakthrough Photography X4 CPL

Along with the CPL, ND filters are great to have if you want to photograph moving water and control your shutter speeds, such as in the photo below of the St. Augustine Pier.

My Neutral Density (ND) Filter - Breakthrough Photography X4 6 Stop

Golden sunrise under the St Augustine pier, with dark pilings and waves washing through the misty ocean beneath. Light rays shine through thick fog. — The St. Augustine pier in fog during sunrise.

If there is one thing that will secretly ruin your photos it's the humidity. For starters you MUST let your gear acclimate to the outside environment for at least 15-20 minutes before taking any serious photos.

But when your lens inevitably fogs up and gets all gunky, there is only one thing that can help and that is a Lens Pen. Essential.

Lens Pen Kit - https://amzn.to/3PdZMYO

Hand holding a white cloth with three lens-cleaning pens labeled LENSPEN, FILTERKLEAR, and microPRO against a blurred green background

And I couldn't let it go without at least mentioning a solid tripod, essential for landscape photographers.

The St Augustine lighthouse at orange sunset above dark coastal homes, with the Great Cross on the horizon.

Anastasia State Park Local Pro Tips

Explore the water - Bring or rent a kayak to really explore Salt Run, especially for wildlife photographers.

Lighthouse shots - You can get excellent lighthouse photos from all along the park with a telephoto lens. Great for sunsets.

Arrive early - Or stay late to shoot the pier during blue hour if you are parking out that way. A great bonus shot!

Keep your lenses clean - Let them acclimate before shooting, have your lens pen always ready and try to minimize lens switching.

Fishing shirts are great - Longe sleeve fishing shirts cover your arms from the sun, bugs and are light weight. They also double as a head net and bug swatter if you aren't wearing it. If you follow any of my YouTube adventures you will know what I mean!

Foggy beach at dusk with the St Augustine pier lit by orange lights, fading into mist under a pastel sky.

Safety, Conservation and Etiquette

Sun protection is a must. I don't use a lot of sunscreen and prefer to cover myself up. Like I just mentioned, I bring love sleeve light weight shirts, like these fishing shirts. They will help block the extreme sun and also keep the bugs at bay.

And speaking of bugs the noseeums, gnats or midges, can be overwhelming for certain periods to the day. Which happen to be some of the best times for landscape and nature photography too.

I would HIGHLY suggest having a head net, like these here. You may not need it, but if you do you will be remembering this article and thanking me haha! Grab a cheap 2 pack and stick one in your bag, they take up almost no room.

I prefer the hunting style ones, such as these, with a wired eye piece. So you can still see in lower light, but still have 90% protection.

Leave it better than you found it! Never trample the dunes and try not to disturb any wildlife. If you come across some trash or debris, grab it, bring it back and throw it away!

Anastasia Island Photography FAQ

Q: How much does it cost to enter the park for a shoot?

A: Regular park admission fees apply. It costs $8 per vehicle (2–8 people) or $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Q: Can I access the park for a sunrise photo shoot?

A: The park opens daily at 8:00 AM and closes at sundown. Sunrise access is generally restricted to registered campers staying at the park campground. Sunset/golden hour shoots are highly accessible before gates close. For sunrise, see my info above for a workaround.

Q: Are drones allowed for aerial beach photography?

A: No. Drones are strictly prohibited inside Florida State Parks.

Q: What environmental hazards should I prepare for?

A: Salt spray and fine, windblown sand are constant threats to your lenses and camera sensors. Bring a high-quality lens brush, a lens pen and plenty of microfiber cloths. A sturdy tripod is also essential, as the coastal winds off the Atlantic can cause noticeable camera shake during longer exposures.

Q: Are tripods, stands, and other gear permitted?

A: Yes. Hand carried equipment that does not block public walkways or require staking into the ground is perfectly fine to use.

Q: How harsh are the summer months for outdoor shoots?

A: Summer (June through August) is very hot and highly humid. July and August average daily highs around 89°F to 90°F, with early morning lows staying sticky near 75°F. Landscape photographers should prepare for frequent, sudden afternoon thunderstorms and high atmospheric haze during these months.

Q: What are the best months for mild weather photography?

A: Spring (March to April) and late fall (October to November) offer the most comfortable shooting conditions. March brings average highs of 74°F and lows of 56°F, while April warms to a high of 78°F. October sees pleasant highs around 81°F dropping to near 67°F after sunset, making it ideal for evening golden hour shoots without extreme humidity.