St. George Island State Park
The Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Iceland State Park, also known simply St. George Iceland State Park called, is a state park in Franklin County in the U.S. state of Florida.
Geography
The 794 -acre park is located about 120 km south-west of Tallahassee on the island of St. George, a 48 km long, narrow barrier island. The park occupies the eastern end of the island. The island is connected by bridge to the mainland and has 14 km of sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, of which are developed over six kilometers through the park road. Located between the island and the mainland Apalachicola Bay Aquatic Preserve is a nature reserve.
Flora and Fauna
The interior of the island is forested with a forest of pines and Elliot Hammocks with dense undergrowth, the area between the mainland and the island of Apalachicola Bay are salt marshes of Spartina swards. Small ponds and tidal currents have smaller freshwater habitats in an otherwise arid climate.
Due to its location barely mammals living on the island, but numerous seabirds such tyrants, Brown oystercatchers, snowy plover, terns, Black Skimmer and North American Willet occur that nest on the beaches. For bird watching Spring and autumn are considered best seasons.
History
During World War II the site was used as a military training area. 1963 saw the acquisition of land for the state park, which opened in 1980. The park was named after Julian Bruce, who had been awarded the popular Best Beach Awards. After the destruction caused by Hurricane Dennis in October 2005, the majority of the parking facilities had to be rebuilt. In 2011, the beach of Stephen Leatherman aka Dr. Beach was excellent in its annual ranking of America's Best Beaches as the sixth best beach in the USA.
Tourist Facilities
The visit to the park is chargeable. The park has one located in a pine forest campsite with 60 pitches and a group campsite for youth groups. At Gap Point is a primitive camp site, which is accessible only on foot along the four -kilometer Gap Point Trail or by boat. There are covered picnic and barbecue areas, the main beaches are cold water showers on the beaches. In the park canoes and kayaks can be rented on the coast to Apalachicola Bay two boat ramps. Anglers can, among other flatfish, Northern Snapper, sea trout or occasionally catch trevally. Is very popular sea fishing, remnants of a destroyed bridge serve as a fishing pier.