Only about half an hour from historic St. Augustine, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is really two parks in one. On one side of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway are the formal gardens, a tranquil haven of azaleas, camellias, roses, and ancient live oak trees situated amongst a peaceful oak hammock. On the other side of AIA lies the beach park, a dramatic shoreline that includes coquina rock formations that date back to the Pleistocene era. We love visiting Washington Oaks Gardens State Park and exploring both sides: strolling through the lush and peaceful gardens and investigating the ancient coquina formations. This state park is perfect for families, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. Read on to discover why Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is the perfect day trip from St. Augustine!
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THE FORMAL GARDENS AT WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS STATE PARK
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is open every day of the year from 8am-sunset. The cost is $5 per vehicle and includes both the gardens and the beach side. (Be sure to keep your receipt!) Once you enter the formal gardens side of the park, follow the road to the parking lot, which is next to the Visitor’s Center. Before exploring the gardens, you can stop by the Visitor’s Center to obtain more information about the gardens or check out the gift shop, which features books, art, jewelry and more.
If you enjoy hiking, Washington Oaks Gardens State Parks has multiple trails you can choose from. The Bella Vista trail systems comprises 1.7 miles of different trails and the Mala Compra hiking loop is a half mile loop. We recommend wearing closed-toed, comfortable walking shoes for hiking and bringing sunscreen and bug spray.
The formal gardens are one of the highlights of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. They consist of manicured areas that feature several varieties of native and non-native plants as well as flowers such as azaleas and roses. There are shaded footpaths winding around ponds, a gazebo, and a magnificent live oak tree that is estimated to be between 200-300 years old.
After enjoying the lush beauty of the formal gardens, follow the path to the Mantanzas River. This is the perfect location for fishing and birdwatching. There are also picnic tables nestled in the shade where you can enjoy a lunch. A small museum near the river explains the history of the land.
THE BEACH AT WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS STATE PARK
Once you are done wandering the formal gardens, head across AIA to the beach at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. This is our favorite part, mostly because the ancient coquina formations are so much fun to explore!
What is coquina? Coquina is a type of sedimentary rock that is made up almost entirely of shell fragments, especially small mollusks, bound together by natural calcium carbonate. The name comes from the Spanish word for “shellfish.” Coquina is common in Florida, particularly along the northeast coast. Fun fact: Early Spanish settlers used coquina to build Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine. It was valued because it absorbed cannon fire rather than shattering. The coquina formations at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park are expansive and estimated to be between 12,000-2.5 million years old!
Quick tip: If you plan on climbing the coquina rocks, definitely wear shoes! The rocks are very rough and uncomfortable to walk on barefoot and may be slippery.
The coquina formations are the highlight of the beach side at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, but this beach is also great for birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and photography. Please note that no life guard is on duty and swimming is not recommended due to the rocks along the shoreline.
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a beautiful, affordable place to slow down and enjoy nature if you are visiting northeast Florida, and it makes the perfect day trip from St. Augustine. If you are in the area, be sure to check it out!
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Sarah
I am the main writer and website designer for Florida Unveiled. I love the parts of Florida visitors don’t often see: the tea-colored water that flows in cypress-laden rivers; the chorus of frogs after a hard rain; the rustle of palmetto as an unseen creature scampers by. Some of my favorite places in Florida are the Everglades, the Keys, Smyrna Dunes Park, Bok Tower Gardens, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, and St. Augustine’s Historic District.
