While spending 48 hours in Jacksonville, Florida, a local told me to visit Boneyard Beach. Intrigued by the name alone, I was all in for what felt like a local’s best kept secret.
Hidden inside Big Talbot Island State Park, this wild stretch of shoreline looks nothing like a typical Florida beach. It could easily be the most unique beach in the state. Giant bleached trees rest along the sand beneath eroding bluffs, creating a landscape that feels more like an outdoor sculpture garden.
Getting To Boneyard Beach:
Boneyard Beach is in Big Talbot Island State Park, northeast of Jacksonville and just south of Amelia Island. Use address of 12157 Heckscher Drive to get to the trailhead.
Park at the Bluffs picnic area on the east side of State Road A1A. The Shoreline Trail begins at the north end of the parking area and leads to Nassau Sound and Boneyard Beach. The parking lot is small, so arrive early on weekends and holidays.
Shoreline Trail Stats:
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Distance: Approximately one mile round trip
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Trail: Shoreline Trail
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Difficulty: Easy
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Surface: Sand and natural terrain
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Beach: Up to three miles of shoreline to explore
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Entrance fee: $3 per vehicle
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Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset
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Dogs: Allowed on park trails but not on the beach
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Swimming: Not recommended
My friend Adeina and I hiked to Boneyard Beach after visiting Kingsley Plantation in Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve.
The sandy trail winds for about half a mile through dense maritime forest. It took us less than 10 minutes to reach the beach, even at a leisurely pace.
We quickly discovered that insect repellent was an excellent idea.
Why Is It Called Boneyard Beach?
The answer becomes obvious as soon as the forest opens to the shoreline.
Massive bleached skeletons of live oak and cedar trees are scattered across the sand. Some rest on their sides with twisted limbs reaching toward the water. Others stand upright like giant weathered sculptures.
Most of the weathered driftwood is within a one-mile stretch, but the entire three miles of shoreline are littered with the tree bones. The scene reminded me of an elephant graveyard in a sci-fi movie.
These trees once grew along the edge of Big Talbot Island. As wind and water eroded the shoreline, the trees toppled onto the beach. Sun, salt and sand slowly stripped and smoothed the wood.
The constantly changing landscape offers a fascinating look at the natural forces shaping Florida’s barrier islands.
Exploring Boneyard Beach
Adeina and I wandered among the trees, marveling at the gnarled shapes and stopping repeatedly for pictures. Photographers could easily spend hours here, especially around sunrise or low tide.
Watch your footing while exploring. Knobby roots, partially buried branches and wet driftwood can create tripping and slipping hazards.
The trees may look like a natural playground, but climbing them can be risky. The driftwood is protected and must remain inside the park. So, enjoy the otherworldly landscape, but leave the driftwood on the beach.
Boneyard Beach is better for walking, birding and photography than swimming. Strong currents and marine wildlife make swimming in Nassau Sound dangerous.
Check the tide before visiting. Low tide generally reveals more sand and makes it easier to walk around the fallen trees.
The buffering effect of Boneyard Beach and its bleached trees helps to slow erosion protecting the intricate root system of the forest you hiked through and more upland areas of the barrier island. This wild and undeveloped beach ultimately protects Jacksonville from storm impacts and extreme sea level rise.
Why You Should Go
Boneyard Beach is one of the most unusual beaches I’ve explored in Florida. The short hike makes it easy to add to a Jacksonville or Amelia Island itinerary, but the otherworldly shoreline makes it feel wonderfully remote.
It is rugged, wild and wonderfully photogenic. Just remember the bug spray.
For more adventures in northeast Florida, read my guides to 48 hours in Jacksonville, 48 hours on Amelia Island and 48 hours in St. Augustine and Florida’s Historic Coast.
