At St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, the white sands and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay combine to offer numerous recreational opportunities for campers with a penchant for playing in the surf, bird watching, hiking, canoeing and snorkeling. Campers can opt to set up tents or RVs in a campground located only minutes from the beach or brave the wilderness preserve for a more adventurous camping experience among the park's abundant wildlife.
History
In its early days of human habitation, from around 500 to 2,000 AD, the peninsula was occupied by the Weeden Island people. Evidence shows they took advantage of the region's abundant supply of shellfish, fish, deer and nuts. Europeans first reported on the area in 1699, when a group of Spaniards spotted a shipwreck. A few years later, the Spaniards occupied the bay as part of a plan to prevent the French from breaking their supply route.
Geography
Birds abound along the coastal barrier peninsula of St. Joseph; in fact, more than 240 species have been spotted in the state park. Every fisher knows that seabirds mean good fishing, and the boat ramp at Eagle Harbor provides convenient access for campers intent on casting their rods. Hikers will enjoy the three main trails in the park, which traverse a salt marsh, a coastal hammock environment and a maritime oak community, among other unspoiled coastal ecosystems.
Camping
Two campground options exist for tent and RV camping. For a secluded campsite shaded by the groves of scrub pines, opt for the Shady Pines campground. If you prefer a spot along the dune system, stay in the Gulf Breeze campground. A total of 119 campsites are available between the campgrounds, both of which are equipped with water and electricity, as well as toilets and showers. Note that the maximum RV length is 40 feet.
Group Camping
Campers with a greater sense of adventure and thirst for the natural beauty of the state park can tent camp in the Wilderness Preserve for up to 14 consecutive nights. Wilderness campers must bring in all of their own supplies, including water, and pack up all trash and other disposable items. Note that pets are not permitted but campers should encounter other forms of the animal kingdom in the preserve, which covers 1,750 acres of an unspoiled coastal ecosystem.
Group Camping: Primitive
If you are organizing a large group of campers--up to 60 individuals--you might consider reserving the primitive group camp facility in order to claim your own space and privacy on the peninsula, away from other groups of campers. Though categorized as a primitive area, the site is, in fact, equipped with outdoor cold water showers, picnic tables and fire rings. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.
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