Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve Beach Parking and Walkover

The GMT Research Reserve beach parking and walkover is located about 7 1/2 miles north of the Vilano beach bridge in St Augustine, FL, heading towards Ponte Vedra, FL. It's a great place to go for a peaceful, see a few animals in the wild and, a not-so-crowded beach experience. It's a National Estuarine Research Reserve. A couple important things to note about this location are that it's NOT handicap accessible and you do have to cross a fairly busy highway so make sure you hold onto your kid's hands when approaching the street. Besides the beach itself, you may also want to enjoy the raised deck area where you can enjoy some amazing panoramic views of the beach, dunes, and Atlantic Ocean. The state park, dam, fishing, and trails are a bit further south. They are not at this preserve access location. More info: The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Research Reserve) is a vibrant and ever-evolving ecosystem, teeming with life. Spanning from the ocean to the forests, this diverse landscape supports a wide variety of plants and animals. Throughout history, people have played a crucial role in both shaping and safeguarding this precious reserve. As we look towards the future, it is important to remember that we are all stewards of this land. So go ahead, explore, appreciate, and protect your reserve! Created as a partnership between Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Reserve encompasses over 76,000 acres of coastal lands in northeast Florida, stretching from Ponte Vedra Beach to Palm Coast. Join us in our commitment to research and conservation as one of 30 esteemed Research Reserves. #stateparks #vilanobeach #pontevedrabeach #staugustineflorida