Beach Sunrise at Little Talbot Island State Park

sunset little talbot island florida state park

Park Overview

Little Talbot Island State Park stretches along one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands in Florida. Located in north Jacksonville, this park features 6.5 miles of hiking/biking trails and 5 miles of white sand beaches. Dune Ridge Trail is a 4-mile loop that meanders through five distinct natural communities, including maritime hammock, scrubby flatwoods, beach dune, depression marsh, and sandy beaches. The Timucuan Trail, a 6.5-mile, paved multi-use trail, travels along the park and is a scenic segment of the national East Coast Greenway Trail that runs from Florida to Maine.

Just north of Little Talbot Island is Big Talbot Island State Park, where Boneyard Beach is a popular tourist destination.

seaoats at little talbot island state park — Sea Oats along the beach

Our Adventure

Arriving to the beach early allows for a piece of serenity before the hustle of summertime beach goers and kids splashing around in the ocean waters.

We find a spot to relax, and time passes as we sit wearily in our chairs, sinking into the sand. The sun rises high and bright as we bask in its morning rays upon the earth. Dragonflies buzz around us as the beach heats up from the orange and pink sunlight.

sunrise at little talbot island state park — Sunrise at Little Talbot Island State Park

Far out, the ocean is a deep, dark infinite blue. The relentless sun shines through each wave that crashes onshore, making the water appear translucently green with foam sifting into every crevice in the wet molded sand. The light breeze is a reprieve from the unyielding morning heat. We sit for a while in our camping chairs, listening to the waves roar and migratory birds call. The day passes on, as the round clock in the sky ticks on, higher and higher, leaving the rest behind.