Simply serene St. Lucie County Beaches to enjoy this summer

Dog swimming at Walton Rocks Beach & Dog Park in St. Lucie Countywww.visitstlucie.com

Last week’s article was about beaches in Indian River County where locals go to get away from it all. As mentioned, there are some beaches that are low-key and others that can get crowded when the snowbirds flock in the winter along with the vacationers.

St. Lucie County beaches are a bit different. There are many beach access points along A1A in St. Lucie County and most of them remain unfettered and uncluttered. One of the main reasons is there a bridge to A1A in Fort Pierce to the north and another one in Jensen Beach to the south. In between is a long stretch of A1A without access to the mainland, so many people stick to the beaches at those points. It makes sense, the beaches are gorgeous and have all the necessary amenities without having to drive very far.

If you have a sense of adventure and some time on your hands, make it a point to check out the various beaches in St. Lucie County. All the beaches are free to park, except for Florida State Park beaches. They are all worth exploring and we have a lot of beaches to cover with over twenty-one miles of pristine coastline Let’s start from the north and work our way through the south.

Avalon State Parkwww.floridastateparks.org

Avalon State Park does have a modest $2 parking fee and exact change is required. While the parking lot does get full, this beach is worth mentioning because it is so beautiful. It is worth the fee and then some. Besides, Florida does not have state income tax, so the locals don’t mind paying for this beach. The waves can pick up and when that happens, the surfers come. It is also a good place to snorkel but take care of the underwater hazards left over from WWII, but they do make a good artificial reef. Even if the parking lot fills to capacity, this beach is so big, it never feels crowded. Location: North Hwy A1A Fort Pierce.

Frederick Douglass Memorial Park on Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce gets its name from Frederick Douglass, an African American abolitionist and author. This is one of a few beaches in the area that allow people to ride horses, but you need a permit. What if you don’t have a horse, not a problem, there is a tour company that will bring the horses to you for a fee: Horseback Beach Ride | Fort Pierce, FL - Tours on Horseback (beachtoursonhorseback.com) Location: 3600 S. Ocean Dr. Fort Pierce, FL 34949

Horses on beach at Frederick Douglass Memorial Parkwww.visitstlucie.com

Middle Cove Beach has a tiny parking lot with only twelve spaces. It is a quiet beach and people like to go fishing at this spot. If you like surf casting, give this spot a try. There is no parking fee and lacks the amenities of the larger beaches. If you want peace and quiet, this is the place for you. Location: 4600 S. Ocean Dr. Fort Pierce, FL 34949

Blind Creek Beachside North and South is a cheeky beach (pun intended) because in June 2020, the commissioners of St. Lucie County officially designated this beach as clothing optional. This is a large park with 108 acres of wetland preserves and one and a half miles of pristine beachfront dunes. This beach is also a favorite of the green and loggerhead sea turtles who make their nests in the summer. There are two parking lots along Ocean Drive, hence the name Beachside North and South. Location: 5460 South Ocean Dr. Fort Pierce, FL 34949.

Finally, is a favorite beach for dog lovers. Walton Rocks Beach and Dog Park is located just south of the FPL Nuclear Power Plant and is the only dog friendly beach in St. Lucie County where the pooches are allowed off leash. It is also a popular spot with surfers and a fantastic place for shelling. While this beach is not as sleepy as the others mentioned in this article, it does not draw huge crowds. Just like the other beaches mentioned, except for Avalon St. Park, there are no parking fees. This beach also features pavilions and picnic tables where you can enjoy a nice BBQ and get out of the sun.

What is your favorite beach in St. Lucie County? Share your opinions in the comment section below. Follow for more information about the Treasure Coast.