The Adventures of Black Rock Beach

Black Rock Beach is not your typical beach.

Black Rock Beach Florida features unique formations of soil black rocks that are only found in 4% of the entire World.

In addition to the geological wonders of the black rocks, you’ll also find a cool yet creepy at times, tree forrest of old dead tree skeletons on the beach too.

The enchanted dead tree forrest and fascinating beauty of the black rock provide a wildly unique and a bit exhilarating beach exploration experience.

Black Rock Beach Florida Quick Facts

• Located in Jacksonville, Florida
• On the Atlantic Coast of Florida directly off of the Nassau Sound
• Formed at the end of the Last Ice Age
• This type of organic soil rock formation is only found in 4% of the World, 3.5% of the US
• Fallen dead oak trees line the shore in one specific area of the beach (not the entire beach)
• Requires a 1/2 mile hike through the hammock forest and coastal scrub to get to the beach
• Protected and undeveloped by Big Talbot Island State Park

8 Things to Know Before You Go to Black Rock Beach Florida

How to Get to Black Rock Beach

Black Rock Beach is located in Jacksonville, Florida.

Black Rock Beach is undeveloped and protected by the state. Black Rock Beach is one of the several beaches you’ll find within Big Talbot Island State Park.

Regardless of which direction you’re coming from (from Florida or Georgia), you’ll get to Black Rock Beach from A1A.

Black Rock Beach
Jacksonville, FL 32226

How Much it Costs to Visit Black Rock Beach Florida

Off of A1A, you’ll find a small parking lot of only about 15 cars. (Get there early in the morning to find a parking spot.)

Once you park, you are required to pay a park entrance fee. Price is currently $3 per vehicle, for up to 8 people.

Your payment is taken through an honor system. There is no human to take your money.

3 Ways to Pay for the Black Rock Beach Entrance Fee

There are 3 ways you can pay for your beach experience at Black Rock Beach.

1. Cash or Check
2. Debt/Credit Online
3. Annual Florida State Park Pass

Cash or Check Payment Instructions

If you keep cash in your car to pay for tolls and such, then use it to pay the $2 – $3 parking fee.

• $2 per person for Bicyclers and Walkers
• $3 per vehicle for up to 8 people in 1 vehicle

How to Pay Cash or Check Entrance Fee:

1. Pull up the wood top box to access the blue envelopes
2. Grab 1 Blue Envelope
3. Tear off the tag at the perforation
4. Put your cash or check in the envelope
5. Close the envelope – there is no seal or glue to lick
6. Put the blue envelope into the white drop box (next to the box with the blue envelopes)
7. Put the tag in your vehicle and place on the dashboard
   • It’s a tag that will hang on your rear view mirror but per the instructions on the envelope, hanging your tag is not required.
   • Just make sure it’s visible if the Park Ranger checks your vehicle.

Online Digital Payment Instructions

If you prefer to pay with a card, you can either pay online before you go or pay online when you get there.

How to Pay Online Before You Go:

1. Click here to buy a single use pass online before you get to park
2. A confirmation will be sent to your email
3. Pull up the wood top box to access the blue envelopes
4. Grab 1 Blue Envelope
5. Tear off the tag at the perforation
6. Write down your confirmation number on the outside of a blue envelope
7. Put the blue envelope into the white drop box
8. Put the tag in your vehicle and place on the dashboard
   • It’s a tag that will hang on your rear view mirror but per the instructions on the envelope, hanging your tag is not required
   • Just make sure it’s visible if the Park Ranger checks your vehicle

How to Pay Online When You Get There:

1. Open your photo taking app on your phone
2. Scan the QR from the White Drop Box (Here’s a quick link)
3. Buy the pass online from your phone
4. Pull up the wood top box to access the blue envelopes
5. Grab 1 Blue Envelope
6. Tear off the tag at the perforation
7. Write down your confirmation number on the outside of a blue envelope
8. Put the blue envelope into the white drop box
9. Put the tag in your vehicle and place on the dashboard
   • It’s a tag that will hang on your rear view mirror but per the instructions on the envelope, hanging your tag is not required
   • Just make sure it’s visible if the Park Ranger checks your vehicle

Annual Florida State Park Pass Instructions

If you plan to go to a lot of Florida State Parks like me, it may be worth it to buy an annual park pass.

• $60 + tax for a Individual Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass
• $120 + tax for a Family Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass

The Best Way to Buy a Florida Annual State Park Pass:

1. Buy your annual pass directly from a Park Ranger Station or Museum location in a Florida State Park
   • You can order online, however shipping requires an additional $15 fee which you can save by buying in person
2. Buy your annual pass on tax free weekend
   • This allows you to save tax AND shipping costs (win win)
   • Sales tax holiday dates in Florida
     • 2023: May 29 – September 4
3. Buy the Family Annual Entrance Pass if you have 2 or more people
   • The Individual Annual Entrance Pass only supports 1 person.
     • You still have to pay for additional people after 1.
   • The Family Annual Entrance Pass covers up to 8 people in 1 vehicle.
     • You can pay for your family and friends too!

For state park pass details, click here. For more info on the Florida Tax Holidays, click here.

How to Pay With Your Annual Pass:

1. Pull up the wood top box to access the blue envelopes
2. Grab 1 Blue Envelope
3. Tear off the tag at the perforation
4. Write down your Annual Pass Card Number on the outside of a blue envelope
   • This step requires a pen.
   • If you don’t have a pen, Park Ranger told me to just drop the envelope in the box without a number.
5. Close the envelope – there is no seal or glue to lick
6. Put the blue envelope into the white drop box (next to the box with the blue envelopes)
7. Put the tag in your vehicle and place on the dashboard
   • It’s a tag that will hang on your rear view mirror but per the instructions on the envelope, hanging your tag is not required
   • Just make sure it’s visible if the Park Ranger checks your vehicle

Be Prepared to Hike to Black Rock Beach

If walking a 1/2 mile just to get to the beach is too much for you and family, then this beach is not for you.

You will walk through the Forrest down a dirt walk way just to get to Black Rock Beach.

Then you could easily walk another 2 or 3 miles just exploring the beach up and down.

Then you walk another 1/2 mile to get back to your car.

So it’s about a 1 mile hike to the beach and back to your car.

But it’s worth it! Every step!

I saw families of all types here at this beach.

The smallest kid I saw was probably a couple of years old.

With the smaller kids, just be prepared:

• For the time it may take if they walk the path too
• Or to carry them if needed

The path is a dirt path. So be prepared for this too, if you’re thinking of bringing a baby stroller 🙂

No Dogs on the Black Rock Beach

So this is a funny rule.

It’s clearly posted that No Pets are allowed on Black Rock Beach.

BUT…Pets and dogs ARE allowed on the trail to the beach.

Just NOT the actual beach itself.

However, I see some folks bring their dogs onto the beach anyway.

Technically, you could face fines if caught by the Park Rangers.

However, I never saw a Park Ranger once, during my multiple visits here.

So, if you do bring your dog to Black Rock Beach (like other beach tourists do), do so at your own risk!

No Swimming

Unfortunately, a no swimming sign is posted before you head to the beach.

With the rocks in the water and popularity of beach fishers and strong currents with the tide changes, it’s not the safest place to swim.

However, I saw people swimming anyway. I also got in the water a couple of times, because it was hot!

The cold water of the Atlantic was perfect for cooling off.

However, I got pretty tripped over rocks trying to get back to the shore.

I eventually had to do a Gorilla Crawl to get out.

So, know that getting into the water and swimming here is dangerous.

If you do get in the water, be extra extra diligent and careful.

Swim at your own risk. (But don’t risk your life for it.)

No Bathrooms

There are no bathrooms nearby.

So be prepared to pop a squat if have to go pee pee.

If you need a bathroom, you’d have to get in your car and either drive a few miles:

• Up A1A to George Crady Fishing Pier State Park
  • There are bathrooms are both sides of the bridge
• Or down A1A near the Ranger Station
  • Near Long Island Outfitters or North Beach Pavilion

With the canyon type of rocks on the edge of the beach, you’ll find some good private places to relieve yourself if needed.

(I’m certainly not talking from experience here, hint hint….)

Watch Out for High Tide

Another unique thing about Black Rock Beach is its tide changes throughout the day.

You have low tide here. When all the water goes out into the Nassau Sound and Atlantic Ocean.

Then you have high tide here. When all the water comes back in covering up the rocks and large portions of the beach.

Because of how the beach shore and the different distances from land to shore, you can get stuck on some parts when high tide comes in.

Meaning where you could walk before may be covered with water during high tide.

So be aware of when high tide is to make sure you don’t get stranded.

The park rules recommends you get off the beach 1 hour before high tide.

Here’s an example tide chart.

What to Bring For Your Black Rock Beach Day

• Bug Spray
• Sunscreen 
• Water
• Beach Chairs
• Beach Tent
• Beach Towels
• Beach Cooler
• Beach Cart

Bug Spray

Mosquitos will eat you alive!

Because of the 1/2 mile adventure through the forrest to get the beach, you will get attacked by mosquitos on the way to the beach.

So apply your bug spray before you get on the path. (The Parking Lot is a good spot.)

Or wear long sleeves and pants to take off when you get to the beach.

The coastal breeze keeps the mosquitos away once you’re on the beach.

There is a wide path to follow so the beach is easy to find.

Sunscreen 

There is no shade on the beach.

So bring your sunscreen. And be prepared to re-apply every couple of hours as needed.

We currently use this vegan cruelty free sunscreen.

ℹ️ I think applying sunscreen before the walk through the forrest actually helped with the mosquito bites. I don’t think they like this sunscreen. But my statement is not guaranteed so be prepared with bug spray just in case.

Water

Bring water or something to hydrate with.

You will need it. Especially in the summer.

There is no shade.

So you can’t escape the sun, the heat or potential period of dehydration.

I personally just keep my Yeti tumbler with water or water bottles in the cooler near me at all times.

Beach Chairs

If you’re plan to stay awhile, then consider taking some beach chairs for comfortable seating.

Our favorite beach chairs so far are these Tommy Bahama chairs.

Because they are designed for the beach, they come with extra features to make it easier to carry them to the beach.

Beach Tent

Another item to bring only IF you plan to stay awhile is a beach tent for shade.

Once again, there is no natural shade on the beach.

So a beach tent can give you a break from the sun.

Our first use with this beach tent was a partial disaster.

Beach Towels

Bringing Beach Towels are completely optional and add more stuff for you to haul a mile.

I brought one of our Sand Cloud towels.

It was perfect for drying off after a little dip in the ocean.

Also works well for having something to wipe the sand off of stuff with.

Beach Cooler

Bringing a Beach Cooler is another completely optional item to bring for your beach day.

This adds even more for you to carry for a mile +.

But if you plan to stay awhile, bring a cooler full of your favorite beverages. (Including water for hydration 🙂

Beach Cart

This beach cart is our secret to hauling stuff to the beach super easily.

We invested in a cart because we like to bring a bunch of stuff to the beach.

We like to stay awhile so we like to have stuff to make it a comfortable and enjoyable beach experience.

Black Rock Beach Florida Pros

Not Crowded
Not many people come here and hang all day. You’ll get some people here and there that come to experience the beach and then leave after an hour or 2 of exploration. If you want to experience a beach day on a beach with hardly any people kind like a private beach, Black Rock Beach is the perfect beach for you. (Perhaps not after this post gets in front of more eyeballs….)

Different Type of Beach
This is not your typical beach or typical beach experience. It’s more about the appreciation and exploration of nature. And how nature takes care of itself through it’s own course if you let it.

Black Rock Beach Florida Cons

Limited Parking
The parking lot is small. About 15 cars. So there is not a lot of parking. The parking lot fills up fast. Get there early to ensure you find parking. ℹ️ On my last visit, I noticed more cars parked on the side of the road before and after the parking lot. It’s not clear if you can get ticketed for that so do this at your own risk.

No Amenities
Unlike Fernandina Main Beach that has everything, Black Rock Beach has no amenities. No bathrooms. No parks. Nothing but nature. (Which makes this beach a little extra special.)

High Tide
High Tide can be dangerous and get you stranded on the beach. Be aware of the tide changes throughout the day and your access to the beach trail to get off the beach.

Black Rock Beach Florida Rules

Black Rock Beach Florida Parking Safety Rules

Theft can be a problem at any beach.

To help prevent theft and not ruin your beach experience, here are parking safety rules to follow when you park at Black Rock Beach.

• Leave unnecessary items at home
• Park in established parking areas
• Take all valuables with you
  • Don’t leave them in the car or truck
• Lock your vehicle

ℹ️ I even took my parking pass with me. I did not leave it in the car because I didn’t want it to get stolen. However, we’ve been here multiple times and have not had any issues with theft. Most people are nice, approachable and easy to talk to.

Black Rock Beach Florida Beach Safety Rules

Beach safely is very important. Problem the most important because your life depends on it.

To help keep you safe and make your Black Rock Beach experience a great one, here are beach safety rules to follow.

• CAUTION: At high tides, water may cover the entire beach. To avoid getting stranded, know when high tide will take place and be off the shoreline 1 hour before high tide.
• Access to the shoreline can be difficult due to erosion.
• Leashed pets are allowed on the trail but not the shoreline.
• Driftwood is a protected feature of the park. Removal is prohibited.
• Please stay on the designated trail.

Big Talbot Island State Park Rules

Black Rock Beach is one of the several beaches you’ll find in Big Talbot Island State Park.

These are the rules that apply to all the beaches in the park.

Big Talbot Island State Park Hours:

• 8 am – sunset
• 365 days a year

Big Talbot Island State Park Hours:

• Do not mess with any of the plants, animals or park property. It’s all protected.
• Dogs are allowed in some areas, but not all areas. Dogs must be leashed and well behaved at all times.
• Fishing and boating are allowed in specific areas. Usually you’re required to have a fishing license to fish, even on the beach.
• You cannot collect any wood or touch any of the dirftwood for fire, or any use. Everything in the parks is protected.
• No fireworks or hunting allowed.
• Alcohol is allowed in specific areas.

I hope you go experience Black Rock Beach yourself! This is a beach experience like not many others.