Huguenot Memorial Park
A 450-acre peninsula wrapped by the Fort George Inlet, the St. Johns River and the Atlantic — one of the rare Florida beaches where you can drive right onto the sand, with some of the East Coast’s best birding.
Updated June 2026
Three kinds of water, one big sky
There’s nowhere else in Jacksonville quite like Huguenot. It’s a low, sandy peninsula tucked up on the Northside where the St. Johns River pours into the Atlantic, and Fort George Inlet curls around the back. Stand in one spot and you’ve got ocean breakers on one side, the wide mouth of the river on another, and a glassy tidal lagoon behind you. The whole place feels enormous and open — flat sand, shorebirds working the wrack line, shrimp boats sliding past the jetties, and a horizon that goes on forever.
The headline, though, is that you can drive your car right onto the beach here. That’s a genuine rarity in Florida, and it changes the whole day: you can pull up beside the surf, pop the tailgate, set up chairs and a cooler, and basically build a little camp on the sand. It’s a favorite with Jacksonville families, anglers and birders for exactly that reason. If you’ve been working through the rest of our Beaches & Outdoors guide, think of Huguenot as the wild, drive-on counterpoint to the boardwalk scene down at Jacksonville Beach.
Good to know
450-acre peninsula on Jacksonville’s Northside, framed by the Atlantic, the St. Johns River and Fort George Inlet. Drive-on sand, waterfront camping and world-class birding. Small park entry fee at the gate.
What to do at Huguenot
A full day’s worth of First Coast outdoors, all on one peninsula. Here’s how locals use the place.
Pair it with a Northside outing
Huguenot sits in a corner of Jacksonville that’s loaded with history and old Florida atmosphere, so it pairs naturally with a couple of nearby stops. The St. Johns River Ferry runs right beside the park, carrying cars across the river mouth between Mayport and Fort George Island — a short, scenic crossing that’s a small adventure in itself and a fun way to extend the loop.
Just up the road is Kingsley Plantation, one of the oldest plantation sites in Florida and a sobering, important piece of the region’s story, set among moss-draped oaks on Fort George Island. Together with Huguenot it makes for a full Northside day — sand and birds in the morning, history in the afternoon. See more of these on our things to do hub.
A Northside loop
Drive-on beach morning at Huguenot, a ride on the St. Johns River Ferry, then the oaks and history of Kingsley Plantation — all within a few minutes of each other.
More First Coast sand & sun
Loved the wide-open Northside? Here’s where to wander next along the Jacksonville coast.
Beaches & Outdoors
The full guide to Jacksonville’s shoreline, parks, paddling and wild places — start here and plan the whole coast.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
A 1.5-mile beach, a freshwater lake, miles of mountain-bike trails and shady oceanfront camping just down the coast.
Jacksonville Beach
The classic boardwalk-and-pier scene — wide sand, surf shops, restaurants and the liveliest stretch of the coast.
Talbot Islands
Just across the inlet — undeveloped state-park beaches, the famous Boneyard Beach driftwood and salt marsh. A perfect day trip.
Things to Do
From the Northside’s ferry-and-history loop to museums, music and markets — the full list of Jacksonville’s best outings.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Where to launch and how to read the tides — including the calm inlet water right here at Huguenot.
Common questions
Can you drive on the beach at Huguenot Memorial Park?
Yes, and it's the main draw. Pay at the gate, follow the access road out, and you can drive right onto the sand to claim your own stretch of shoreline. The sand can get soft and rutted away from the packed tracks, so a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended.
Is there an entry fee at Huguenot Memorial Park?
Yes, there's a small park entry fee at the gate. Once you've paid, you can drive onto the beach and set up for the day. Check current fees and hours before you go, since they can change.
Do you need a 4WD to drive on the beach at Huguenot?
It's strongly recommended. Soft, rutted sand is everywhere away from the packed tracks, and plenty of low sedans have spun their wheels here. Drive slowly, stay on the marked tracks, and park on high ground.
Can you camp at Huguenot Memorial Park?
Yes, Huguenot offers waterfront campsites a short walk from the sand, so you can fall asleep to the surf and wake up to the shorebirds and sunrise over the Atlantic. It's popular, so plan ahead and check current availability before you go.
What can you do near Huguenot Memorial Park?
It pairs perfectly with a Northside loop. The St. Johns River Ferry runs right beside the park between Mayport and Fort George Island, and just up the road is Kingsley Plantation, one of Florida's oldest plantation sites, set among moss-draped oaks. Sand and birds in the morning, history in the afternoon.