Perdido Key State Recreation Area
Encyclopedia
Perdido Key State Park is a 290 acres (1.2 km²) Florida State Park
located on a barrier island
fifteen miles (24 km) southwest of Pensacola
, off S.R. 292
, in northwestern Florida
. The address is 12301 Gulf Beach Highway.
, off State Road 292.
Several endangered species inhabit, nest on or use this park. Most notable of these is the Perdido Key beach mouse. This mouse is one of the North America’s rarest mammals and only currently exists in two places on earth, both of which are located on Perdido Key. The Johnson Beach Unit of Gulf Islands National Seashore is the other location. The mouse was reintroduced to the park in February 2000 after several years of being absent from the park. Originally, three pairs of juvenile mice were translocated from Johnson Beach, followed by an additional 16 pairs of juvenile mice the following year. The population of this mouse can vary greatly depending on the time of year and recent weather conditions, as well as the presence of house cats.Loggerhead sea turtles use the beach to nest each year. Occasionally green and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles will nest within the park boundary as well.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Florida State Parks
The Florida State Parks encompass the majority of the lands that fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are 160 such entities, including nature reserves, recreation areas, and historic sites, which can be found in every corner of the state...
located on a barrier island
Barrier island
Barrier islands, a coastal landform and a type of barrier system, are relatively narrow strips of sand that parallel the mainland coast. They usually occur in chains, consisting of anything from a few islands to more than a dozen...
fifteen miles (24 km) southwest of Pensacola
Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the county seat of Escambia County, Florida, United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2009, the estimated population was 53,752...
, off S.R. 292
State Road 292 (Florida)
State Road 292 is a major thoroughfare in the Pensacola, Florida metropolitan area. Locally, it is known as Pace Boulevard, Barrancas Avenue, Gulf Beach Highway, Sorrento Road, and Perdido Key Drive.-Route description:...
, in northwestern Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The address is 12301 Gulf Beach Highway.
Perdido Key State Park
Barrier islands protect the Florida mainland from the harsh effects of storms and provide habitats for shorebirds and other coastal animals. The wide, white, sandy beaches and the rolling sand dunes covered with sea oats make this a pristine oasis along the rapidly developing panhandle. The beach, which provides excellent opportunities for swimming and sunbathing, is the focal point for public use of the park. Surf fishing is another popular activity. Boardwalks from the parking lot allow visitors to access the beach without causing damage to the fragile dunes and beach vegetation. Covered picnic tables overlooking the beach provide a great place for family outings. Located 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of PensacolaPensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
, off State Road 292.
Several endangered species inhabit, nest on or use this park. Most notable of these is the Perdido Key beach mouse. This mouse is one of the North America’s rarest mammals and only currently exists in two places on earth, both of which are located on Perdido Key. The Johnson Beach Unit of Gulf Islands National Seashore is the other location. The mouse was reintroduced to the park in February 2000 after several years of being absent from the park. Originally, three pairs of juvenile mice were translocated from Johnson Beach, followed by an additional 16 pairs of juvenile mice the following year. The population of this mouse can vary greatly depending on the time of year and recent weather conditions, as well as the presence of house cats.Loggerhead sea turtles use the beach to nest each year. Occasionally green and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles will nest within the park boundary as well.
Park Fees
Admission Fee - $3.00 per vehicle. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. Limit 8 people per vehicle.$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.