Family fun in Pensacola: Big Lagoon State Park!

Big Lagoon State Park near Perdido Key~
Plan to spend a day at this massive, gorgeous Florida State Park.

Big Lagoon State Park & Recreation area is just minutes from the beautiful beaches of Perdido Key, FL and the back gate of the Naval Air Station Pensacola. It's a slice of paradise you must visit if you live in the Pensacola area. 

Sunset at Big Lagoon State Park~ Located in Southwest Pensacola just minutes from Perdido Key, FL 
Picnic Table at West Beach, Big Lagoon State Park
Picnic area at West Beach, Big Lagoon State Park
Big Lagoon State Park is located at 12301 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32507 between Blue Angel Pkwy and Sorrento Rd. on Gulf Beach Hwy.

Luckily, this 655 acre Florida State Park is open from sunrise to sunset 365 a day. Park rangers are on duty daily from 8 am to sunset.

Plan to spend a day just exploring all the areas the park offers and make sure that you don't miss climbing the observation tower at the East Beach overlooking the water. It's truly breathtaking!
Big Lagoon State Park located near Perdido Key, FL
Big Lagoon State Park in SW Pensacola! Complete with observation tower, children's park, and amphitheater. 

View from Observation Tower, Big Lagoon State Park
View from Observation Tower at Big Lagoon State Park~
There are several different park areas among Big Lagoons 650 acres including:  
Blue Heron Fishing at big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola, FL
Blue Heron fishing at Big Lagoon State Park
  • Boat Launch and Ramp (additional fee applies $10-$12 per vehicle.)
  • West Park with Children's Park
  • East Park with Observation Tower
  • Hiking trails through the marshlands
  • Amphitheater overlooking the Gulf of Mexico
  • Campgrounds with Children's Park
Alligator at Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola, FL
Alligator bathing in marshland at Big Lagoon State Park
(not the same area where the beaches are :)
Things to do at Big Lagoon State Park:
  • Beaches with swimming areas
  • Boat Ramp & Dock
  • Full Facility Camping
  • Hiking & Nature Trails
  • Places to ride your bike
  • Canoeing & Kayaking
  • Four covered picnic areas
  • Crabbing
  • Fishing  
It's a perfect place to spend a day with your family. Bring a picnic, plenty of water, sunscreen and bug spray, and plan for a full day of excitement. Take a hike through one of the many trails or walkways. Explore by canoe;  nice stand-up paddle board, kayak, and canoe rentals are available at the park!  Bring your dogs for a day of exercise and your children to play at one of the parks. There is no limit to the fun to be had at Big Lagoon State Park.

Wildlife viewing opportunities include:
  • Deer
  • Raccoon
  • Rabbits
  • Dolphin
  • Alligators
  • Possums
  • Large variety of birds as Big Lagoon State Park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail! 
There is an admission fee to enter Big Lagoon State Park. The fee is $6 per vehicle with 2-8 passengers or $4 for one person in a vehicle. Yearly passes are available for just under $75 (give or take a few dollars).
Families walking along the Gulf
of Mexico at Big Lagoon State Park~
A Florida fishing license is still required to fish.

The park is only attended during daylight hours, but campers and park goers are allowed night access. Pets are allowed at many of the sites. You can even rent one of the pavilions or the amphitheater for larger parties, weddings, and reunions at Big Lagoon State Park.

My friend Dee, who is a local resident, photographer, and nature lover, often enjoys exploring Big Lagoon State Park. Here's a few of my favorite pictures she's taken at the park. Aren't they gorgeous?!

Kayak rentals in Perdido Key FL at Big Lagoon State Park
Kayak Rentals & Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals at Big Lagoon State Park near NAS Pensacola & Perdido Key, FL.
Observation tower at Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, FL, 32507 near Perdido Key! 
Beautiful sunset photoof Pensacola, Florida State Parks
Sunset view over Perdido Key from the top of observation tower at Big Lagoon State Park! 
For more information or to rent water sports at Big Lagoon State Park, call the park rangers at (850) 492-1595 or visit their website and view their photo gallery.

Some lucky Pensacola residents can walk and bike to this beautiful state park every day. We are so lucky to have thousands of acres of protected beaches and waters to enjoy peacefully including beautiful Big Lagoon State Park.  Let's support our local state parks by visiting them a few times a year!

Check out a few of our other favorite parks in the Pensacola area:
Thanks and have a great day,
Nicole St. Aubin, Broker Associate
Realty Masters of FL~ #1 in Pensacola Property Management
4400 Bayou Blvd. #58B, Pensacola, FL 32503
Call us at (850) 473-3983
Over 45 Pensacola Rental Homes at 
www.PensacolaRealtyMasters.com
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