Hike across dunes and along the beach on two trails at this popular state park.

A barrier island on the Atlantic Coast at the mouth of the St. Johns River, Little Talbot Island attracts a steady stream of beach-goers from nearby Jacksonville. But if your idea of a day at the beach isn’t just to lie around, the park has two trails – one long, one short – to introduce you to the coastal habitats that make up this island.

The longer of the two, the 3.5-mile Island Hiking Trail, starts on the left as you turn into the driveway entrance to the park. Depending on the space available, you may be able to park at the entrance station (ask the ranger for a trail map, and make sure you tell them you are hiking this trail), or you need to park at the first beach parking lot on the left and walk back to the entrance station to begin the loop, which will return you to that beach parking lot. Bring plenty of water on this hike, as it can get rather hot on the dunes and the beach.