Talbot Island

The Talbot Islands are your ideal spots to escape to if you're looking to enjoy the natural side of things in northeastern Florida. The Talbot Island state parks, which include Big Talbot Island State Park and Little Talbot Island State Park, are set on small barrier islands that are just a short drive away from Jacksonville. When you're not enjoying the urban atmosphere in Jacksonville during your northeastern Florida visit, your time at the Talbot Island state parks can see you enjoying such activities as fishing, canoeing, and surfing. Don't forget your hiking boots if you enjoy nature walks, as hiking is one of the top things to do at Talbot Island.

Staying at one of the Jacksonville hotels is always a good way to go when visiting the Jacksonville area, though if you prefer camping, the Little Talbot Island State Park is an ideal place to look for campsites. Little Talbot Island, which is seventeen miles northeast of Jacksonville, boasts 40 campsites that can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Each site features electricity, a fire ring, water, and a picnic table. Should you be equipped with your own canoe or kayak, Myrtle Creek, which is easily accessed from the Little Talbot Island Campground, is an excellent waterway to paddle along. As for Big Talbot Island camping, it is primarily a nature reserve, and as such, it does not boast any campsites.

Canoeing and kayaking are definitely among the top things to do at Talbot Island, and while you can't camp on Big Talbot Island, you can visit during the day and launch your craft in the pristine waterways. Guided kayaking tours are available on Big Talbot Island, and you can arrange them in advance if you want to enjoy one. When you're not cruising along the various waterways at the Talbot Island State Parks, exploring by foot is highly recommended. Hiking along the bluffs on Big Talbot Island is always a treat, and if you head down to Boneyard Beach, you can walk among the curious cedar and oak trees, which have fallen victim to such things as erosion and storms. These trees, which once thrived along the shoreline, are now mere skeletons that are utterly fascinating to look at.

Guided kayaking tours are also available on Little Talbot Island if you want to book one, though if you prefer staying on dry land, you might enjoy a guided Segway tour instead. A Segway is a machine-propelled upright scooter of sorts that whisks the rider around quite smoothly. If you've never been on one, worry not, as your guide will show you the ropes before the tour begins. In addition to touring Little Talbot Island on a Segway, you can also tour nearby Fort George Island. Many people who are visiting the Talbot Islands, not to mention nearby Amelia Island, book tours on Fort George Island, partly because of the fact that it is home to the historic Kingsley Plantation. Like the Talbot Islands, Amelia Island offers an impressive state park of its own that you can explore, which helps to make it a popular Florida vacation destination.

If fishing for bass, kayaking down a scenic natural waterway, hiking through a maritime forest, and enjoying relatively deserted beaches sounds good to you, these are just some of the things to do at Talbot Island. Since both of the Talbot Island state parks are open daily from 8 a.m. until sundown, you will have plenty of time to enjoy a range of activities during your visits, and repeat visits are definitely encouraged. Running out of fun things to do at Talbot Island is difficult, so start planning your visit today and come see for yourself just how easy it is to stay busy here.