Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Reviews

We came here specifically to see the coquina on the beach. We had seen the forts and buildings in the St Augustine area made of coquina block. We were not disappointed! Heading south on A1A when we go to the park entrance on the right, we instead turn on the small road to the left to take us to the beach. Reaching the parking lot, there was an honor system $5 fee. Well worth it! Surf was up, red and blue flags flying. Just wow.

Visited Washington Oaks State Park in Palm Coast this past weekend. The place was donated to the state buy its owners in 1964. It is not very big and can be easily covered in about an hour or so. The landscape is wonderful and the place is immaculately maintained. There is a beautiful rose garden with a variety of roses, some with fragrance. There is a pond in the center beautifully embellished with a variety of local plants. They offer a picnic garden and nature trails. The east side of the park overlooks Matanzas River. Across the road on the opposite side is access to the beach. My main purpose was to go for sunrise photography as I had heard about interesting rock formations in the foreground. Unfortunately they do not open until 8 AM. They are however open until sunset. There is a dollar five entry fee per vehicle.
I was very impressed by the layout design and maintenance. There is a lot of shade provided by several oak trees and as such can be explored during the day. I would definitely visit the place again. I would highly recommend it to any nature lover and photographer. It offers photo opportunities especially at the Rose Garden and the adjacent beach. I wish they would open at sunrise.

We came across this small state park by chance. There was a five dollar daily fee to enter. The park is the winter home, gardens and acreage of the Young family, who donated it to the state. The house is the visitors center. Maps of the walking trails and paths are available. Fishing in the Matanzas River is available.
Walking through the gardens is a tranquil, peaceful experience. There is a winding water course with babbling fountains. Paths lead through a formal rose garden, across bridges and through a gazebo. We observed many butterflies and small lizards.
There is a gift shop with a nice selection of items, including soft drinks and snacks. The staff is friendly and helpful.
Well work your stop.

What a hidden treasure! We spent a lovely couple of hours walking through the gardens, exploring the park and visiting the beach. What a lovely location and what Spectacular scenery! The park is very well kept and the grounds are beautifully manicured. A fantastic place to explore and wander.

Nice place to get out & stroll the well-kept & preserved gardens. There’s a place for children to play as well. Good spot for a picnic by the water. Charge is per vehicle, regardless of number of occupants. Wish there was an annual pass option. I would visit more often.

Beautiful place! I loved the flowers and trees they gave here. They have little fountains mixed in the garden as well. Great place for photography. I highly recommend!

Washington Oaks is amazing anytime of the year but during the Christmas season is really reaches the next tier of amazing. The pictures you see online really don't do it justice. There are a couple of beautiful nature trails that lead out to the Intercostal Waterway. And once you get to the Intercostal you get to enjoy a couple of hundred feet of nature trail frontage; it's not just a little glimpse of the water! Beautiful flowers and various decoration line the trails in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Definitely bring a camera and possibly binoculars. There are clean restrooms and nice picnic areas.

I love, love, love Washington Oaks. I have been involved as a volunteer, as a patron, as a walker with dogs. Great trails, beautiful gardens, historical sites, intracoastal waterway sites.

This is an amazing state park with formal gardens and beautiful hiking trails. It was a great end to our day in the area. For the low cost of admission ($5 per car) it is a must-see attraction. The grounds are immaculately maintained and it even has ultra-clean restrooms!

The park is so beautiful, both ocean side, bay, and the gardens! We have visited before and it's never a disappointment. We can't stress enough to visit this gem!

A quiet place with a number of walking paths. A formal garden and seaside views. Places to sit, fish and even clean your catch. A great place to go on a hot day. $5.00 entrance fee.

The gardens were beautiful and the view of the river very pleasant. We enjoyed the well-kept walking trails. I was a bit disappointed that they had not repaired the beach portion of the park so I could see the coquina I'd read about.

costs $5 per vehicle and is an uncrowded garden with nature trails. the gardens are beautiful and the nature trail we used was an easy walk to picnic tables and playground. great activity for families and dogs. you can fish here on the river, too.

What a lovely park! A must see as you travel A1A. Definitely worth the stop. And be sure to visit Captain's BBQ just down the street from it!

What a beautiful getaway from all the bustle of St. Augustine. We enjoyed both the gardens and the hiking trails - very scenic with water views. Very nice bathrooms as well. It is true that the hurricane has caused some damage but there was still a lot of beauty to enjoy.

Very nice and quiet park. We were luicky to meet a lot of painters which made it even a more romantic place. Don't forget to go on the other side of the main road = the beach!

As a frequent visitor to the area for many years, I had traveled past this park many times and had not thought to visit until I read about the First Friday Tour of the Gardens. What a wonderful tour and many thanks to Range Joe whose knowledge of the gardens made the tour so enjoyable. The story behind the gardens is a wonderful story and history comes alive when walking through the gardens and buildings. A real highlight of the visit was walking along the old A-1-A that was rerouted at the request of Mrs. Young who would later bequeath the property to the State with the provision that it remain a place to be enjoyed by its visitors. The comments criticizing the $5 admission miss the point: this money is used to keep the grounds beautiful for generations to come. What a hidden treasure.

Absolutely lovely state park with some wonderful walks. However avoid going on the canopy walk (Jungle Road Trail or Timucuan Trail) in the afternoon or later as you'll be eaten alive with mosquitos! It costs $5 per car, or $2 per person for those on foot. Great wildlife and views across the river. We saw deer, an owl, and river dolphins.

A beautiful place even in the winter! Great history and amazing landscaping/scenery.
I would love to see when the Roses and Azaleas are in bloom. A definite place to check out and it is right across from the ocean - you can easily do both in one day.

Visited 12 days after hurricane Irma. Park had been closed for 10 days and luckily it reopened the day before we left. So glad I came here.
Giant beautiful trees, great gardens, ponds and so many photo ops. I will return again in the spring when more of the flowers are in bloom.
Sadly the ocean side of the park was still closed to repair hurricane damage. This is the best $5.00 you can ever spend. Don't miss this park.

Ive grown up here and I really love Washington Oaks! Its so peaceful and the rose garden smells absolutely amazing. The low over hang trees are just beautiful! Also the beach side is pretty amazing too!!

Walked through native canopy nature trail! Easy walk! We headed over to the Botanical Gardens and were amazed at all that is still flowering in abundance!!! Beautifull paths that lead to Matanzas River with benches! Clean rest room facilities!Saw fishermen and families enjoying incredible surroundings! Great place to spend hours enjoying nature's beauty!

Easy walking trails Great photo ops Dolphins Fishing in river Beautiful sunset The gardens are pretty Ocean side and river side

What an absolute hidden gem! Located just off A1A in Palm Coast this State Park is a bargain for only $5 per car 🚗 . You'll pay this at the guardhouse entry. Though the entry guard house blinds were down- there was a box to drop you cash in. Be sure to get a parking tag at this point or you risk getting ticketed. The parking lot just beyond the gift shop provides easy access to the formal garden, visitors center, and waterways with plenty of benches to take in the views. Note: the visitor center was not manned at the time of our visit July 23 2022 - limited brochures were left out but no maps of the grounds. As an option after entering the park go to the gift shop and request a map from the super sweet and helpful volunteers there.
Immaculate public bathrooms & drinking fountains are located in 3 different locations in the park.The formal garden is a must see and will make the best rose gardeners envious. Water features, oak trees dripping in moss, winding paths and beautiful plants will provide many photo ops. Brought my mom in her wheelchair- as the paths are mostly packed down. Though try to stay in the center of the path so you don't struggle in the soft sand that may creep up on you mostly on the edges. Hint: pulling the wheelchair backwards really helped at times too. Plenty
of shaded areas so you don't get over heated.
NOTE TO DOG LOVERS: DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE FORMAL GARDENS THOUGH ARE WELCOME on the other trails, picnic/ playground area, etc. There is a parking area by the very nicely tree-shaded picnic tables- some are covered as well. Barbecue grills are provided too.. Restrooms are centrally located in this area. When you have finished taking in all the natural beauty - drive across the street to access the beach....your parking pass should be valid for this location as well. No pets allowed on the beach. There is a nice mesh covered walkway- though thrre is no access we could find to make it down to the beach in a wheelchair/ walker.
Overall, this is a very peaceful and most beautiful getaway. Kudos to the Florida State Parks Dept. for making these grounds donated by Mrs Owen D. Young in 1964 a treasure to behold.

I love this place. If you hit it right, you will see the tide coming in and up through holes like Old Faithful. It looks like the Grand Canyon in miniature. A bit tricky with very young children but the older ones love to climb on the coquina. Great place to take photos. The little pools that are formed in the rocks can hold surprises. This is just a beautiful place to see. Across A1A is the park setting and it is wonderful for kids and adults. Restrooms are there, too. Nature at its best and you really can't beat the price. Go and see and enjoy Mother Nature. Parking is free but the cost is $5 to enter. I would bring some bug spray for the actual park setting. Be prepared. I was there in early spring. There is a ranger there for questions, too.

This was a peaceful and relaxing experience. The flower gardens were beautiful. There are trails to hike and a view of the inlet to watch the boats and dolphins. It’s a lovely place to stroll in the evening.

My wife and I decided to visit here today, as it was cool to be at the ocean. We did the nature trail and thoroughly enjoyed it. Able to see some unique and different birds that we don't see at home. A refreshing walk. The gardens were gorgeous, and we can only imagine what they are like in full bloom. The grounds are beautiful and the Matanza inlet view is awesome. Well wort the price of admission. The buildings were closed due to Covid, but walking the grounds made up for it. This is a stop you should make.

This park is BEAUTIFUL! The majesty of the oaks! The amazing colorful array of flowers and plants is to be one with nature. The rose garden is an over~loaded of fragrance and colors. The ladies on the gift shop were sooooo hospitable and their wears were unique(especially the jewelry). This park is lovingly cared for. God's glory is on display! ENJOY

Beautiful little gem of a park. Beautiful old trees, amazing garden. Pets can't walk in the garden but there are other trails to take and has nice path to the river.

What an amazing find! I have a Florida State Parks passport, so we were headed up A1A. It's very to to find and a real treasure when you get there! The gardens are amazing with lots of butterflies. They have both nector and host plants so you'll see butterflies everywhere! I would like to go back when it's not so hot and humid to explore the walking trails. Highly recommended!

We have now taken my sons pictures here and my wife’s maternity pics. Couldn’t think of a better location. The rose garden is impressive. The trees stunning. Molto bello

Washington Oaks is a rare opportunity to visit the oceanside, or go across the street for the gardens and intercoastal option. Both offer stunning views!

This is a nice morning activity in June. We were able to hit the Timucuan trail about 9:30 and the heat was manageable. If you can get there at opening that would be even better. A peaceful, mostly shady, sandy trail through a wooded area along an inter coastal waterway. We saw lots of lizards basking on trees. Many birds in the lush greenery. Be sure to wear a hat and use bug spray. We loved walking down old A1A! The Jungle Road trail was roped off and the reflecting pools in the garden were drained. There was a rose garden but I believe it had passed its peak. I’d love to see it in season with the reflecting pools filled and operational. The sea wall along the Matanzas River was very nice. We were able to fish there with a visitor’s license purchased online. We skipped the beach access across the street because we were staying in Palm Coast on the beach and we had observed coquina there.

Most beautiful State Park in Florida. The floral gardens, the history, the coquina beach, the intracoastal waterway. They even have a gift shop! And music events, and Holiday in the Gardens in December. It's all right here...at beautiful Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

This park has it all...trails for hiking through the woods, benches and tables for relaxing by the water watching boats pass, and best of all, the gardens! We had no idea that such beautiful gardens were tucked away in this park - they are stunning! The entry fee is $5 per car, but well worth it.

***last I knew, the ocean side of was closed due to damage from the hurricanes in 2017. I am not sure when it will reopen.

Visiting from our of state and wish we could have spent more time. Only issue were bugs and we did have a snack cross our path. But absolutely gorgeous and wish we lived in the cottage on site! Saw dolphins swimming and lots of sea turtles at fishing pier. Nice place to visit!

We spent a very windy, cool day at the park just walking around the gardens and trail and beach. We sat on the intercoastal side and watched dolphins jump in the water. It is not a huge area, but is very well maintained and has a small interpretive centre a short walk down a trail. I think admission was $4 and allowed you access to the ocean portion on the other side of the highway to see the rock formations along the beach.

This park is so beautiful, and it's nice to see "old Florida" and not some theme park version. The gardens are lovely and the history of the property is very interesting. It's a big place, so wear comfortable walking shoes. The beach side of the park is closed because of hurricane damage, but there is plenty to see on the Intracoastal Waterway side. The paths are very even and taking a stroller over them is no problem. You can bring your dog, but they are not allowed in the garden, just other parts of the park. There is a nice picnic area and gift shop. The park can be buggy sometimes, so bring bug spray just in case.

Seeing the gorgeous old oak trees was the best part of our visit. I enjoyed the drive into the park and seeing the variety of plants and flowers. I would visit again in a heartbeat!

Wear bugspray and bring your camera to take pictures of a 300 year old live oak tree and gorgeous camelias in the gardens. Hurricane Matthew devasted the park killing trees on the ocean side of the park. It is closed for repairs. Visit the visitors center and see the home of the Young Family. Mrs. Young donated the property to the State of Florida in 1964. It is a great place to picnic and photograph.

We went on a plant sale day. Enjoyed the park then went across the street and walked along the beach. Beach has large rocks. Most of the other beaches we have visited have none. Beautiful gardens in the park. They were being renovated when we were there. Take time to smell the roses in the rose garden. There are a few benches to sit on if you need to rest.

We went there not knowing what to expect. We had to pay $5 to enter. When we got out of the car we walked along the path toward the water. It was very serene and peaceful and would be a great little place to bring a picnic lunch or dinner and watch the boats and metros go by. We happened to go on a Saturday when they had a plant sale. The greenhouse was filled with lots of unit dual plants and the prices seemed very fair. The gardens were also very nice. Just a nice place to relax and read a book or take a quiet stroll. Would definitely return.

This is just down the road from where we staying. It's only $5.00 per car to get in. On the Intercoastal you can fish, picnic, read, relax, walk and learn about the history of the place, which is interesting. Very beautiful gardens, a great place to have a wedding or special event.

Four of us rode on bikes to the entrance gate, and were charged more per person than it would’ve been if the four of us had driven in one car. Also, when we had ridden the trails and needed to buy water bottles in the gift shop, we found a small sign on the door saying it was closed for remodeling. This should have been told to us at the entrance gate. Other than these problems, the park, gardens, inter coastal views, and bike/hike trails were great. There are also nice picnic areas. Also, the beach access, located just across A1A , is back open after dune and parking lot repairs following the latest
Hurricane. There is no fee to enter the beach access.

This place is an amazing blend of long term historical significance, but also a magnificent example of both humanity’s darkness, as well as it’s capacity for abject beauty. In the past the property was part of a plantation that used slavery when the Spanish owned Florida, but nothing remains from that time beyond documents. As if the land needed to be transformed, and inspired The owners early in the 20 century to create a botanical masterpiece that should impress any landscape architect. The gardens are very impressive and not to be missed.

A very quiet place. Some short trails to walk, a garden is lovely. Large old trees. If you just need to get away from all the noise and activity in your life this would be ideal.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is what I would call , Florida's Garden of Eden , for it's pristine beauty & enchantment. This beautiful garden is home to all kinds of fauna & flora and is a true Florida gem. Vegetation within the garden ranges from magnificently ancient Live Oaks & Magnolia's , to Hickories and even Saw & Cabbage Palmetto's. Their is also a Rose Garden at the site and other flowering plants such as Camellias and Azaleas can be found throughout. It is truly one of the most beautiful gardens within Florida !

The park also features a number of amenities such as fishing , nature trail hiking , picnicking and bicycling. The visitor's center , which was originally the Young's Winter Residence , has been converted into an interpretive exhibit.

You won't find any flaws or find no complaints here. The gardens are well maintained and properly upkept and are always within pristine condition. What I would really like to see however , is some further historical referencing made to this park and provide further insight. Most visitor's seem to be unaware that this was formerly the winter residency and home to Owen & Louise Young. Owen Young , was the founder of RCA (Radio Corporation of America) and a well renowned and respected ; businessman , attorney & diplomat. Owen's wife , Louise , is the one responsible for the development of the formal gardens , citrus grove and the residency. After Owen's death in the year of 1962 , Louise donated the land to the state of Florida in 1964. Prior to the Young's , the property had a handful of owners , one being a relative of President George Washington's , where the Washington name falls into place.

I've been coming to Washington Oaks for nearly the past 35 years and it still holds and maintains it's splendor and beauty. I also highly recommend everyone to visit Washington Oaks beachside and look at the Coquina Rock outcroppings. Sadly , erosion and timing has washed away most of the great coquina features I remember many years ago , but their still plenty to see and behold. It's a beautiful beach and you should include it upon your visit !

Washington Oaks is real Florida treasure and comes very close to what i'd call the Garden of Eden or paradise !!

This park has an interesting history with George Washington. Plaques along the paths inform the tourist of lots of the history. The park itself is absolutely gorgeous. You can stroll out to the edge of the Matanzas River, under the huge oak trees that run throughout the park, or venture over to the Atlantic Ocean where you will see very unusual coquina formations on the beach. Definitely should be put on top of your list to see when near St Augustine or Flagler Beach, FL.

This was the highlight of our trip. We have been visiting St Augustine for years and just found this gem this year. When you visit you will automatically notice the entrance to the garden side because of the sign, but across the road is the beach entrance w/o a sign. Visit both sides. If you love nature then you will love the beauty of this park. It was quiet and serene. The beachside is also so neat because of the rock formations. It's a must-see in this area. Pack a lunch because there is plenty to see and there are picnic areas. The entrance fee is cheap. I will definitely go back.

Beautiful gardens. You can leisurely walk thru in about an hour, but it is worth the time. Neat history on the original owners. There are additional hiking trails we did not go on. Definitely worth the time.

Amazing view and beautiful plants and whoever took care of the plants and animals should get a raise overall would recommend and will come back

We were staying at a rental very near. We got up early to do a photo shoot with my nieces one day but it was raining. We went back a different afternoon. It’s absolutely beautiful and perfect backdrop for senior pictures.

We returned after 2 years. Loved it again! Worth the $5 fee. We did the nature trail this time. Very nice. Very clean and nice rest rooms! Wish gardens were labeled better.

Very nice garden and picnic area. Will be even better in a month when the roses are in bloom. Very peaceful.

This state park is on A1A and a true gem. For $5 per car you are transported to a simpler time. This lovely estate sits on the Mantanza River with lovely gardens, riverside fishing, a huge picnic area and lovely estate home. The Young family did it right when creating this garden oasis and then shared it with all of us. Also, across the road, the property stretches to the Atlantic Ocean and includes coquina rock formations.

I love the rose garden. Is the perfect place for a date. The little house with the TV is so adorable. I wish I could live there.

What a beautiful spot for walking and picnicking ... so diverse ... you can chose to wander throughout the formal gardens or head to a trail in the hammock.. There is wonderful information available on the history of Washington Oaks; and if you are lucky, dolphins will entertain you in the Intracoastal Waterway. Cross A1A and you will have the Atlantic Ocean and coquina rocks to view.

This was such a lovely place! We all enjoyed it - even the little ones. Birds, fish, fabulous gardens, friendly and educated volunteers, and loads of educational information. It was a great day and we will go again!

Spent several hours walking the grounds and gardens. Great history display in former home of Youngs. Backs up to Inland Waterway. Across the street to the beach to see Coquina Rocks. Easy walking

This park is a hidden gem and is well maintained. The nature trails and gardens are tropical with very old and large oak trees throughout the property. Park benches are placed strategically in areas that are serene for one to absorb the beauty of the landscape. There is a large picnic area for usage including grills.

A perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. I grew up only 1.5 hrs away & never knew this existed. I found it searching Pinterest for wedding spots. Go figure! It was only a 2 hour drive from Orlando and we'll worth it. First, you pay $5/car. Then, you have 3 parking lots. The first is the closet to the famous "tree". The second, is by the gift shop and direct walking path to the "formal gardens." This is the most direct route to the rose gardens, gazebo, etc. The last lot is direct access to the playgrounds, bathrooms, and picnic tables. I suggest this one if you are able to walk trails. It is less crowded and you are able to "discover" the main attractions of the beaten path. It is well kept & a sight with many natural items and historical items a long the way. A must see!! Fingers crossed my wedding plans can work out here!!

This estate property donated to the state of Florida is kept immaculately. Beautiful gardens;a great picnic area and rising on the river or cross the road and hit the beach. Tips. Bring bug spray the mosquito's can get nasty. No changing facilities at the beach, just ports potties. This is centrally located and lots of good restaurants are right down the road on A1A. Pets are NOT allowed in the gardens.

This is at a wonderful location just off the ocean. This time of year is a great time to visit as a multitude of flowers are in bloom now. The park has a multitude of walking trails some on the inter-coastal waterway. The park rangers are informative and very personable.

Washington Oaks has been a favorite place of mine to go for many years...Strolling through the gardens is peaceful and quiet...We have a memorial service for my dear sister in law there..Was a perfect setting for someone who was a talented artist and nature lover....One of the most special things about it is the beach with all the coquina rocks that are eons old...Sometime early in the morning watching the sun come up you feel like you know what the earth was like in the beginning...A favorite place for photographer also....

My daughter picked out the place and we were not disappointed. It was a fun place to visit with the beautiful gardens and a nice beach. With two young adults that are a little picky, we were pleased that they enjoyed it as well.

Such a beautiful and well kept place. We visited the gardens and the beach with all the coquina rocks. Great for outdoors lovers. They have trails you can hike on as well. Absolutely love all the scenery and the large oak trees. Definitely will come back to hike the trails!

We stopped by Washington Oaks Gardens while passing through NE Florida. It’s not far off I-95 near St. Augustine. It was a hot day, but the shade and breeze made it tolerable. The gardens have majestic large oaks with tropical foliage beneath them. Many paths and streams wind through the area. There is a rose garden too which was still largely in bloom in mid-May. The main house has some history of the gardens and refreshing A/C to recover some from the heat. The west side of the park borders the Intracostal Waterway and many folks were fishing there. We loved our visit. It felt like a piece of Florida the way it was before the big developments came. I’d highly recommend stopping by!

Peaceful and quiet, fishing is available, and hiking if that's what you choice to do, the gardens were in bloom. Rose bushes were beautiful. Plein Air artist were busy painting the pictures I think their were 3 of them. The trees and the moss make for a beautiful painting.

It's a State Park....but a botanical garden? With a historic district? With a gift shop? And part of it is on one side of A1A, and the other part is on the other side? Yes, yes, yes, yes annnnd yes. Sounds confusing. Yep. Made even moreso by the fact that last year's hurricane took out their entry gate area, so you arrive and can get an envelope for payment to enter - but you have no idea what the fee is because there's no sign. So I looked it up on the web while we were sitting at the entry. I didn't know what to expect. My husband was frustrated. I'd read that it was a great place to escape outside the city for a almost-all-adults downtime and something different. So I convinced him to try it. SO GLAD we did! We stopped at the gift shop for some direction and they gave us a map and overview. Little trails wind their way to the intercoastal waterway beach, no one was there but us. Then we walked to the historic home of Owen and Louise Young. It was their winter vacation home and Louise designed and put together jaw-dropping botanical gardens. It was the Florida you see in pictures, with palms, cannas, birds-of-paradise, bridges, streams, Spanish moss-draped trees. Once done with the intercoastal side you cross over A1A to the ocean side and can walk the state park beach. Just awesome, all the way around. Louise Owen had donated her house, land and gardens after Owen passed away with the directive that the gardens should be open to the public going forward. Such a wonderful story and beautiful surroundings. So glad we took a chance!

I've made a visit to this place every 7 to 8 weeks for the last 2 years. The flowers and plants are impeccably maintained and just about every time I've been here there are several photographers taking wedding, anniversary, birthday pictures
etc. The overall presentation doesn't stand up to any of the commercial sites in the state but for a state park this place is great and the price is a bargain. I like to trail run here and the trails are generally excellently maintained. The limited length of all the trails (maybe 2 miles?) is made up for by the variety of natural settings such as Hammock forest to Intracoastal marsh. I'm a tough critic, but in my book Washington Oaks State Park is a solid 4 out of 5.

We happened to stop here with friends for something to see while visiting and it was very interesting and beautiful. The gardens were decorated with poinsettias for the holidays and the roses were blooming. A very nice walk around the grounds and stopped in the visitor center. We spent a little over an hour here enjoying the scenery.

This is not the largest gardens you will ever visit but is is one of the most tranquil. A payment of $5 is made via an honesty box and there is lots of parking. Paths are clear and wide and the plants are really beautiful. The rose garden is stunning. Wander down to the Intracoastal and watch the boats pass by. We spent a lovely hour here and will return if passing again.

This was a wonderful family stroll. The park is very serene and perfect for nature pictures. BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. we saw a turtle stroll by too. Please be sure to wear mosquito repellant as it is very shady and mosquitos can get you otherwise.I will go back again for another stroll and be mosquito prepared. Bring your camera the pictures come out perfect. HOPE YOU ENJOY.

The gardens are absolutely gorgeous. The roads in is canopy with, you guessed it, huge oak trees. There is an amazing Asian koi pond and an extensive rose garden. There is access to both the intracoastal waterway and on the other side of A1A, coquina rocks of the beach are beautifully trippy.

Great history combined with the nice flowers. Picnic areas for those who want to make a day of it, and a nice walk through the gardens and along the intracoastal to watch the boats and dolphins. $5 a carload is well spent. A definite trip when we have visitors or just want a peaceful stroll.

Went here with my wife early October. It has an absolutely gorgeous formal gardens where there are many different types of plants and flowers. In addition there are multiple ponds with water spouts. Just a really beautiful place especially if you want to take pictures. It also has access to both a river and the ocean. Unfortunately we didnt get to go to the ocean part due to rain. There are multiple facilities for restrooms and a visitors center and museum. Also did some hiking however the hiking trail is not nearly as beautiful as the formal gardens. We will definitely be back.

Washington Oaks State Park has both a gardens area and a beach area. The gardens located on the west side of A1A are beautiful when the flowers are in bloom. Just across A1A on the west side is the beach.

This is a glimpse of Florida at its best. Well maintained. Peaceful. Contains both the Intracoastal Waterway and across the street (A1A) the ocean. You will love it!

The grandchildren enjoyed running along the spacious sandy paths through the state park garden area, complete with ponds, many seating areas to take in the views, and picnic seating along the river, too. Then drive your car across the highway to the ocean side of the park (no facilities). Lots of coquina rocks to play on.

Small but full of breath taking views. Didn't expect the beauty of this park. Lots of beautiful areas to take photos and the atmosphere was just relaxing! Not the typical Florida state park. Definitely worth going!

Between the gardens on the bay side and the beach on the ocean side, it's hard to stay away from this place. We came back almost every evening. We waited until the temperature would drop, around 6, and then headed to the Park. The gardens are beautiful. Lots of locals enjoy fishing on the river side where there are bait stations and places to sit along the extensive (and beautiful!!!) river walk. The rose garden was really great. Lots of paths for walking through this paradise. You're cheating yourself if you don't check out the sunsets.

What a hidden treasure!! From the road it is not very welcoming! It is gorgeous inside!! The trails, the gardens and the water!!!! Very well with your time to see and learn about Florida history!!! Awesome!! Not to miss!!! We went through on our bikes and had a ball!

This state park is a hidden treasure - easily missed as you drive down Highway A1A. Make time to walk through, even if you only have an hour. The entry fee is $5 per car. There is a walking path along the back perimeter, banking the intercoastal waterway that has picnic tables, benches and bait stations for fishing. The interior of the park has a variety of beautiful gardens and paths. You will see a formal rose garden, many sculpted camelias, huge majestic live oaks, and many types of ferns and forest grasses. The green house hosts plant sales once a month. When we visited at sunset, there was a wedding in progress and some family portraits being taken. It is a beautiful setting with gorgeous lighting and would make a great spot for family portraits or special photographs. The paths are gravel but flat, so can easily accommodate someone needing assistance. They have nice clean bathrooms in the park as well. It's a well kept beautiful park, worth the visit!

Great time walking through the gardens, but we forgot the bug spray! The pathways, flowers, fountains and bridge were great photo opportunities. We also went through The Young's home at Washington Oaks and learned about the history there. Next we ventured across the road to the beachside. We had great fun walking around, on and through the Coquina Rocks on this unusual stretch of beach on the east coast of northern Florida.

Though I didnt spend much time at the location, it was really nice.. too early for a lot of flowers but the rose garden had started blooming and was well cared for! Picnic spot on the water was beautiful and well laid out, but no barrier to the water for the safety of younger children. The ocean side of the gardens has a gorgeous coquina beach and it was really lovely!

I haven’t seen a Florida park more beautiful than this one. The huge Oaks and pines are amazing. There is a nice hike that includes a rose garden. The aroma was unbelievable. Lots of birds and beautiful landscaping. We also rode our bikes on the other trails around the park. There is a huge picnic area with play equip for the kids. This park must have a great team to keep this looking perfectly beautiful.

I live in Saint Augustine. This is one of my favorite state parks to visit. It is so beautiful,so peaceful and serene and offers a great place to walk, practice photography, picnic, fish, and/or enjoy nature’s beauty. I have been to this park many times and every time I go I enjoy it. I always take beautiful pics when I’m there. A lot of people use this location for photo shoots and weddings. One of my favorite things is the rose garden, so pretty and so fragrant. It is a must see if you are in St. Augustine or Palm Coast. I’ve included a few photos from my most recent visit there. We saw dolphin and manatee too!

We recently moved to Florida and are enjoying the state parks as our pandemic 😷 adventures. What a treat this park is. We will definitely come back to walk the paths we missed and enjoy a picnic. Beautifully kept trails and options for sitting along the way make for visitors of all ages. The formal garden is wonderful even this time of year. A few roses were still blooming even though we’ve had some frosty mornings. The gift shop and visitor center were currently closed but bathrooms were clean and readily available.

We had 2 German exchange students who were taken to Disney World, Gatorland ,St Augustine and Busch Gardens. When they wrote their experiences in a school wide "thank-you"- the two we hosted talked about Washington Oaks and Marineland(beach)- as their most memorable American experience... that says it all

This state park has been on my list to visit for a while, and I finally made it, and it did not let me down. Located just north of Palm Coast, Fl on A1A, this park is a must see. It features over 20 acres of formal gardens and a walk along the river. It is totally wheelchair and scooter friendly. I did not go across the road to the beach area, there was a mobi-matt, but it looked a little steep going over the dunes, and I was traveling alone and was concerned about tipping going over it without having someone behind me.

Haven’t been to this park for years, and we couldn’t believe the transformation. My son just got married here under the beautiful, giant live oak trees and amongst formal water features. My husband and I would rank this as one of Florida’s most attractive gardens. On the west side of A1A resides the formal garden along the intercoastal. On the east side is a coastal park on the Atlantic Ocean. The trees and foliage on the coastal side were damaged a year or two ago from a hurricane saltwater storm surge and are recovering, but the beach and rock formations are a photographers dream. Many people go to St. Augustine and miss Ft. Matanzas, Washington Oaks and the small, but historic Marineland attraction south on A1A. One on my favorite stretches on A1A.

We love this beach especially at low tide! You can climb on all the rocks and kids can even crawl inside some. The tide pools are always magical and it's fun to find the little creatures like starfish inside them. We've never seen more than a handful of people at the beach which is always a nice perk too.

Beautiful state park. Gardens and huge live oak trees are beautiful. Visitors center gives the fascinating history of the park.

Different blooms and things to see at all times of the year. Be sure and cross the highway and visit the coquina beach. Plenty of parking.

We stopped by here on a whim to see the coquina rocks on the beach and ended up walking their length and spending about 1.5 hours exploring. We never got in the water or saw the bay side of the park, but the coquina rock formations were a fun way to spend some time.

Went for a walk here and was absolutely amazed at the beauty I found inside. Many trails to walk and explore. Check it out!

This park is worth stopping at. The gardens are so well maintained. When the roses are in bloom the scents permeate the air around the. A wealth of photo opportunities.

This place is stunningly beautiful. The old Oaks and Especially the Rose Garden and The wonderful pond and Gazebo. Take your time or you will miss something we spent about 4 hours here taking exquisite pictures and walking trails through the trees. The paths along the River excellent places to fish too. We saw a couple Banded Water Snakes locked in love throws near the pond. This is a must see lovingly cared for.

We are trying to visit as many Florida state parks as we can and this was one we hadn't visited yet so we stopped on our way home from the Tampa area. It was rainy but we were able to see most of the property between showers. The property here is gorgeous! We walked through the gardens and also visited the beach briefly. The staff in the gift shop was super helpful. We will probably stop again and spend more time here when we can. Make sure to bring your bug spray!

Just a wonderful State Park to walk through. The Palm trees and Live Oaks are huge and must have been there for years. They should never be cut down even if they're not in a State Park. They take years to grow. There is some shade which is great in the heat of the day. If your visiting in the area, it's a must see. No pets are allowed.

We really enjoyed visiting Washington Oaks State Park. Beautiful flowers along the paths. The visitor center was not opened when we were there. There is probably a lot of interesting info offered there. We felt a little lost because there was no one to help. We just followed the paths & enjoyed the flowers. We had packed a lunch & were able to find the picnic area where we could eat it. After lunch we went across the road to the parking area by the beach. It is a beautiful beach & we would like to go back & spend time there. Hopefully the visitors center will be opened next time so we can ask questions . We understand why it was closed but they could have had someone or some info available to help along the way.

I had so much fun wandering around the park. The gardens were beautiful, the river was nice to fish off, and trails were good. The beach side is just as nice. I really enjoyed the trip here.

What a beautiful place to hike or stroll. Plenty of shade around the gardens. Trail around the gardens is around 0.5 mile, but there are longer bike and hiking trails. Trees, water fountains, and gardens so peaceful. There is an area with benches to sit by the inter coastal to view wildlife, and boats. Do not forget to go around A1A to see the beach side of the park. Nice rock formations, and of course who doesn’t love a beach!!

Washington Oaks Garden not only has historical linkages but also a very good place for spending time with family and friends. It is a fairly big area with a river to one side. Great place to have a picnic!

This land (home of formal gardens and coquina rock) is part of the Bella Vista Plantation, but much of what is seen in this park today was left by the Young family, who enjoyed the area as a winter retreat.

There are several scenic self-guided trails on the property, but the big draw is the formal gardens, where there are many species of exotic plants displayed along the paths & around reflecting pools.

Located about 30 minutes south of St. Augustine, this state park offers a serene destination for a few hours or so.

Such a beautiful park to stroll, picnic, fish, and hike. Wish we had gone later in the day to take advantage of the numerous picnic tables and had lunch. There are picnic tables right by the river too that make for a lovely view. The formal gardens are so pretty, fountains, gazebo, old oak trees, flowers, etc. There are restrooms too that are clean and cool due to a ceiling fan. For $5 for a car of more than 1 person. 1 person $4. Bring proper change.

$5 to get in to a very small park. Gift shop was closed and playground was closed. Claim to have bike trails but we did them all in less than 15 minutes. I know Florida gets it’s funds from tourists, but no way this park should be charging an entrance fee.

Escape the heat of the day strolling around the grounds of this impeccably maintained park. The rose garden is a sight to behold and features several varieties, there are shaded paths to wander along a small stream, koi ponds, and a small gazebo. Plenty of new, clean, bathrooms, picnic tables, and a prime spot along the intercostal waterway where one can spot dolphins. Well worth the visit.

This is a beautiful park. The trail through the woods and the palmetto fields is fantastic. You can also walk down or just cross the trail and see old A1A with oak trees making a fantastic arching tunnel. There is just as much history here as there is amazing sights. Enjoy a walk through the gardens out to the intercostal waterway. Take a moment to enjoy the humongous live oak trees with Spanish moss flapping in the breeze

There’s so much to see and enjoy. Allow enough time to: sit in the shade and appreciate the beautiful azaleas, roses and all other flowers and plantings; follow the walking paths around the gardens, ponds, fountains and to the river; sit on a bench along the river to watch the boats pass by; hike on the trails; and drive across the highway to enjoy the beach.

Found this place by word of mouth. Very nice garden area and a wonderful beach area for shelling. A must if you are in the area.

Fabulous State Park, clean and very well maintained, spotless restrooms, beautiful picnic areas, nice gift shop..gardens were lovely.. beach stunning

My husband and I took a friend here to view Florida nature. This is such a beautiful, well-kept place. We enjoyed our afternoon stroll among the gardens and grounds.

We enjoyed walking in the gardens and my kids wanted to play on the playground, but the bugs were too bad when we were there so we didn’t stay as long as we would have liked to. Bring bug spray. It’s a pretty area as I’d like to explore it more.

The gardens are spectacular. They range from a Rose garden to wild trails to a calm walk along the river. The beach at the park is scattered with Coquina rocks and beautiful. It a hidden jewel that is worth the drive up A1A from Flagler Beach.

This is a great little park to visit for a relaxing stroll through natural vegetation and manicured gardens. There is now an attendant at the gate taking the Five dollar entry fee. There is a gift shop on site but seems it is hardly ever open. There are many informative signs in the park describing the history of the park. The main road in the park is actually the old A1A as the owners had the A1A relocated closer to the ocean to establish the park. There is a info Center with washrooms. There are bbqs benches and picnic tables by the intercostal waterway. There is a very well kept rose garden also. Lots of free parking. Very well worth the entry fee.

This park is really pretty, or at least it was when I visited in mid-February 2020. Hwy A1A separates the the park, with the beach and ocean on one side and ancient oaks, gardens and trails on the other. Decided to check out the garden side first. Roses and Azaleas were blooming and I saw an orange tree with loads of oranges on it, of course they were all too high to reach, lol. The park backs up to a river and has an area where you can fish or just sit and relax. The beach side was really nice and nearly deserted. Wonderful place to just come and relax. Would definitely recommend.

Strange name for a Florida State Park but one well worth a stop. Before A1A was built, the main road went past this plantation and the owner sold produce at a road side stand. Perhaps the reason this wonderful and tranquil remained unchanged all these years was the change in the road way. What ever the reason, this special piece of land between the Mantanza River and Atlantic Ocean is a special look back in time. Beautiful gardens and paths, a nice structures. Step back in time at Wash Park.

As I was visiting the Ormond Beach, Daytona, St Augustine area I went on TA to see if there where any recommended gardens in the area. Washington Oaks was highly recommended and I visited the park on 9-3. The paths are very well constructed hard packed so visitors with walkers and wheelchairs have easy access to the gardens and nature walk. The walks are for the most part shaded so even on a hot day you will be relatively comfortable. The rose garden was in bloom as well as the butterfly garden with many butterflies fluttering about. One of the nature trails will take you down to the water inlet with a beautiful view. There are many benches along the way to stop and enjoy the beauty of this very peaceful setting. At one end of the trail with parking they have a picnic area with grills and restrooms. There is a trail that will also take you to the ocean, which I did not do.

As lovely a place as I've ever visited our family enjoyed all the scenery and the water....THIS park has the works!!😊

We stopped here last week. It's just $5 per car and worth it. The trails, the gardens and the beach area just across the main road. Wish we could have spent more time here.

A hidden gem. A small $5 per car to get in but oh so worth it. We stayed walking the gardens for several hours. Everything about this place is beautiful.

Despite living only 20 minutes away, this was my first visit. I'll be back. A pleasant place to visit. The gardens are lovely. The views beautiful. Next time we will bring food and picnic along the intercoastal. And then, don't miss the ocean area. A great way to spend a day.

We have visited many times and the grounds are beautiful. There are walking trails as well as places for bicycle riding. Try to visit when the roses in the garden are blooming...it's breathtaking.

We love this park and trail system. We took a very easy walking trail, so it is suitable for hikers or walkers of any degree of experience.

I read the website, and the reviews and the Gardens were beautiful and exactly described. However, the beach was not. We mainly went for the “tidal pools”, which no longer exist. A hurricane (Irma I think) and covered up many of the tidal pools. However, without that expectation it was great. The beach had very few people and was great to play and walk along. My kiddos loved it. Some rock is still exposed, but no tidal pools. I’d stop again!

A quiet, reflective place on the river away from all the noise. This is a State Park. The day fee was $5 for the car. Being a weekday, we just put our money in an envelope at the gate and took a tag. Self-serve. We made several passes along the trails. They are all pretty level and short. Huge oaks shading much of the trails. Nice restrooms and water station. Gift shop is only open on weekends.

Kids can run around and see boats, koi ponds, rose garden, etc. It's nice for letting the kids run around and all the trees provide shade. It's a nice park for picnic, grilling on the river, a quiet stroll, or letting the kids run out their energy.

The walking paths through the gardens and the property are wide and well groomed making it very easy to go for a long stroll. We wish that we had picked up some sandwiches to bring along to take advantage of the picnic tables that are down by the Intracoastal Waterway. Unfortunately, the Flagler Beach side of the park was closed due to ongoing work being done to recover from the recent hurricanes.

Just North of Palm Coast, we always feel like we have the place to ourselves, especially the beach. Swimmers need to be careful with the rocks, but the rocks are a photographer’s dream setting. Try it once and you’ll be back frequently.

The first Friday of the month you can take a guided tour through the grounds. We found the tour to be very educational about the area and the Owen Young home. The formal gardens make for a beautiful walk among the azaleas,camellias in bloom, and reflection pond. A great place for an easy walk, birding or just strolling through the garens to see what's in bloom. The rose garden was not in bloom but should be soon.

The gardens were beautiful. It was so quiet and peaceful there. Great place to watch the sunset. Great walking paths.

I have lived in Jacksonville over 20 years and never knew this hidden gem was here. I will certainly return!

I really liked it. You can walk in the garden among the flowers. And go to the ocean shore. Where, the rocks come to the surface. Which is unusual for low-lying Florida.

We spent a lot of time just exploring and grounds. The volunteers were helpful and friendly. It is a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy nature.

We visited here this past weekend in June 2021. We brought our dog (a 9 lb Shih Tzu mix) which limited us to the back trails. Dogs are not allowed in the gardens or on the beach, so we never saw the trees or beautiful nature that you see online of this State Park. We decided to take a trail to the river’s edge and there were no warning signs about ticks, etc. After walking for 30 min or so, we found 1 tick crawling on my husband’s neck. We later found 2 more ticks after arriving home. We have hiked numerous trails throughout the Midwest, West and South and have never picked up a tick, let alone 3! After discovering the 2 ticks that we brought home inadvertently, we have been washing and vacuuming and showering ever since. Beware!!

Beautiful gardens! Allow yourself plenty of time to take it all in. You may want to check with them on any up coming events before you go. We took in a Billy Buchanan concert during our visit!

My wife and I have visited the St. Augustine area for too many years to mention and to not have visited this park is almost sacrilegious! This park should be on your short list of “must visit”! Absolutely beautiful and meticulously maintained!! Soooo peaceful! We came here twice today…to walk the gardens and the beach across A1A without our dog and came back to hike the trail with dog. No dogs allowed in gardens or beach unless you have service dog.
Stop in if in the area. I give this park 2 thumbs up👍👍

I had a wonderful visit to Washington Oaks touring the grounds. This was my first trip here and found the gardens to be beautiful and well maintained. The flowers were gorgeous and in full bloom. There were multiple people planting and working in the gardens while I was there. I really appreciated the care they showed. One of the Park rangers was also very friendly and was offering a group tour to people. The entrance fee was self paid through an envelope at the front gate (5 dollars per car). I saw people fishing, biking, walking through the trails. There was a gift shop but it was closed when I visited as was the beach side. This is a definite must visit if in the area.

Great way to spend an afternoon walking through the gardens, seeing all the butterflies, water ponds, small bridges and gazebos. Great place to walk down to the Mantanzas waterway and enjoy the scenery of boats. Walked to the original house that has clean bathrooms and a room with pictures of the park and a running tv news feed of the park. Beautiful flowers and wonderful area to relax and enjoy the beauty.

Really cool place to visit. Nice beach for looking for shells. The rock formations are very unique. We like to stop here each time we are on the Palm coast.

This park hits all the great things Florida has to offer for $5 a car. The beach side had a unique Coconia rocks on a beautiful beach with tons of space to spread out and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean.

The park side has a great picnic area and gardens. The picnic area has ample space for many groups to picnic on tables spread out. There is also bathrooms and a playground.

The gardens along the inter coastal are breath taking and peaceful. Bathrooms and water fountains open. There are accessible trails throughout the park.

This park is great for all ages and abilities. You can see the beach, intercostal, picnic, playground d and view beautiful gardens all in one place.

The park is lovely. Well maintained, gardens beautiful. It’s a nice place to walk and relax. Plenty places to park and picnic

Just a 10 minute drive south of Crescent Beach you will arrive into what I would best describe as Florida's garden of eden! Deposit $5 into the state's honor box and plan a wonderful morning while the dew is still on the roses, coffee cup in hand! No pets here please. Picnic tables and playground
in the setting as well. Clean restrooms and friendly volunteer gardeners may greet you along a well trod path. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Matanzas River and bring your bait and tackle if you want to take home dinner! Don't forget sunscreen if afternoon visit and bug repellent for a.m or p.m. This is Florida folks!! Take it from a native!

Rose garden is 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Picture does not convey aroma ❤️🥰🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A MUST stop on your travels down A1A, SO scenic ❤️

We visited this state park because we wanted to see the natural outcropping of coquina along the coast. When we arrived, we became aware that this park was once the summer estate of Owen and Louise Young of New York. A home set back from the Atlantic along the Matanzas River which provided some protection from the storms along the coast. In addition to the summer house, there are several other buildings on site as well as formal gardens, groves, fountains and an octagonal pond near the rose garden. A great leisurely walk... When you leave the estate, you cross the highway to the Atlantic and check out the coquina.

Being a native Floridian, this has been one of my favorite places my entire life. The gardens, the vistas, winding trails and family friendly grounds are perfect for our family gathering ~ there is, literally, something around bend.

I have very fond memories of visiting the beach with the large rocks at Washington oaks when I was a child, so I was excited to return with my young daughter. Unfortunately, the majority of the rocks are gone now - I’m not sure if they were removed or if the beach just changed over time, but it looks completely different now. The beach is beautiful, but very similar to the other beaches off of A1A. This was my first time visiting the garden and I enjoyed wandering around the garden with my mom and daughter. It is incredibly beautiful and we enjoyed spending our time there.

Took some family down from NYC to kill a few hours... and all enjoyed it.. love the trees and flowers.. the little spring fed stream in the middle of it is very pretty.

Sweet park. Good walking & bicycle paths. Picnic tables. Covered areas. Bathrooms. Nice to relax, lunch, play cards, etc.

Tried to visit the coquina beach at Washington Oaks but apparently the hurricanes of 2017 severely damaged the beach and access was closed. I did drive a road close to the park and saw tremendous damage to the live oak/palmetto woods. Very disappointed.

Washington Oaks is a beautiful place to visit. The grounds of the park are reminiscent of days gone by in old Florida. Peaceful and zen filled, its a do not miss! Perfect photo opportunities, to highlight your visit. Go visit, you'll be glad you did!

I visited in the Spring when the rose garden was in full bloom. Gorgeous park. It is well worth the $5.00 donation to enter.

Two seniors visited this state park in mid-January 2023 and were very impressed. As has been noted by other reviewers, there is a $5 per car entrance fee. Display the receipt they give you on the dashboard. An easy 20 minute drive south on A1A from St Augustine Beach. Be sure to get your park map and trail guide from the ranger at the entrance booth, as we did not see any at the unmanned visitor center, which you can tour. Restrooms are located at several places in the park but no food concessions. The formal gardens had very few flowers blooming in January but we imagine they must be beautiful in the spring and summer with all of the roses and azaleas planted there. There are several paths through the garden and at least three paths through the woods that are well marked and take you to the river side of the park. Unfortunately, the ocean side of the park is still closed due to restorations from all of the hurricane damage.

Just the most beautiful place. Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. This is a beautifully kept garden which graciously displays the natural beauty of Florida. The giant oaks dripping with Spanish moss, the well kept pathways, the various fountains, the roses, the ocean inlet views. Just superb.

This park is stunning. The walking trails are nice with flowers, tiny ponds and many sights to see. Room to park, Fishing in the inter-coastal waterway. A really nice place to take the family.

Absolutely divine. I had no idea such a place of beauty existed in this area. The care taken with the formal gardens is evident at every turn.
This park has something for everyone. There is a shady playground with picnic tables. There’s a a trail that’s a bit wild with a gorgeous view of the inter coastal. There is a bit of history for the history buffs. I enjoyed the gardens the most. When we were there the azaleas were blooming and the smell of orange blossoms hung in the air. The only area we couldn’t stroll through was the rose garden. It was closed for some kind of repair work.
This would make a lovely setting for a special event. Be sure to see this park if you’re heading north of Daytona.

We choose to visit Washington Oaks based on others reviews.Well worth the $5.00 admission to the park and gardens. A stroll thru a bit of history, the only objection is out visit was close to the noon hours and the walk thru the park was very hot. Weare already planning a return trip with friends but will go in the fall when temperatures are more welcoming!

WOGSP is a treasure. On the Western side of A1A you'll find the Botanical Gardens where you discover exotic plants thriving among ancient oaks and The Intracoastal Waterway.
But it is on the Eastern side of A1A or the beach side where you will see the rocks. But not just any rocks, here's an outcropping of Coquina which are millions of years old. Depending on the the time and tide you'll see the copper colored Anastasia Formation as it is known. Bring your cameras and be prepared to be dazzled especially at dawn as the sun lights these stones and their colors seem to pop.The tide pools can yield some trapped seashells and other small marine life which will delight any collector. Sturdy beach shoes will be needed as walking on the Coquina can be rough. A bit of Trivia - the Castillo de San Marcos was constructed using Coquina. So if your visit includes continuing North on A1A to St Augustine, you'll see the famous fort. This would make a terrific day trip.

Beautiful park. Great little walking trails and beautiful gardens. We can across a lovely wedding. The beach side is one of my favorites because of the coquina. To the right you could play in the water and the left so much coquina to explore. Totally worth a visit.

My wife and I were married here on the beach. Very reasonable and the beauty was second to only my bride. Great spot!

We had a couple hours to fill, so stopped by this state park. There is a nice nature trail, and lovely gardens. The park is so clean, included the new washroom facilities. Fun to watch people fishing along the shore.

I love this place, we live within walking distance. We go here a few times a week to sit by the river and go fishing. Walking through the trails is very nice and relaxing. Not many people around since the property is so large. A very nice park at the end of the road, picnic tables and BBQ area.

The park offers hiking and biking paths and a range of outdoor activities among the gardens, fishing and Oak trees. This park is located along State Road A1A in Palm Coast, FL. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas river,it offers 425 acres of coastal scenery. It has a gift shop for you to browse.
This was the Winter State of Owen D. and Louise P. Young. Mr. Young, purchased this property for $6,000 and recorded the tittle in Louise's name as a wedding gift. They were married n St Augustine on February 20th, 1937 and hosted a great outdoor party the next day at Washington Oaks.

This park was recommended by a friend and was well worth the stop. We've driven by several times but planned on making a few stops this trip at some of the parks. Very nice, looks like they are renovating a few areas. Well worth the stop. We stopped on a Monday afternoon and it was uncrowded.

I saw pictures of tide pools and something wonderful, what I got was about 20 mosquito bites and not seeing any place with tide pools or a beach that I could get to.

Anytime of year this is a beautiful place to visit- Great views of the Inter Coastal- lovely citrus trees. fabulous waterfalls , on past trips we have brought children here and they enjoyed this beautiful place- the rose garden is fantastic and some of the roses smelled so sweet. The price is great just $5.00 a car load

It’s been about 10 years sense we were here last, and its even more beautiful than I remember. There are lots of flowering plants and water features. It’s right on the Matanzes river and there were several people fishing. It’s so relaxing to sit and watch the boats go by. There is a rose garden with the most stunning roses, and a butterfly garden. There is also a house down by the river that was built in the 1930’s by the Youngs that you can go inside and read about the history of the property. Then driven directly on the other side of the road to the beach and see an unspoiled section of beach with rocks scattered along the shore, and watch the pelicans fly over head. I have never seen so many pelicans.

Beautiful grounds! Huge Oak trees, so many flowering shrubs and plants and gardens! Peaceful waterway, benches, bbq grills and tables, to enjoy wildlife & boats! So much history!

This is a very nice off the beaten path place. It is based on the honor system, so there is nooone to accept your entry fee. You pay your 5.00 and hang a tag on the mirror. The gardens are so nice to stroll through, the trees are gorgeous. The gift shop was closed when we were there. It is a nice place to sit and watch the boats go by, we sat and everyone that went bye waved and we waved back. So peaceful. The beach side is a little confusing, you have to go out and cross the road to get to it. It is gorgeous with the coquina rocks, but take heed it is not a swimming beach. To dangerous for swimming.

We walked on the rocks and that is where the problem was. We started itching terribly and I was wearing a white shirt and looked down and it was almost completely black. There were some kind of bugs, maybe sand fleas not sure, all over the rocks. We noticed one couple get in the water and it was to wash those bugs off. After we go back to the car, we got them all brushed off and that was that, but it was horrible when they are covering you. So if you go to the beach side, you might want to spray down with bug spray or something first.

Not to be missed, well worth the trip even if it's a slightly longer one! The trails are lovely to walk on and the formal garden is absolutely incredible! We brought my brother's dog here and she had a great time, but be aware that dogs are not allowed in the formal garden, so we had to take turns watching her to be able to see it! Overall, great outing with the family!

I spent Mother's Day at Washington Oaks with my boys (7, 12, 14). We enjoyed hiking the loop trail, then had a picnic under one of the magnificent oaks. The hike was largely shaded and featured quite a few different scenes: from the waterway, to a tree canopy, to a more beachy/dunes area. The trails are well-marked and flat so anyone would enjoy them. The formal gardens are absolutely beautiful and made such a pretty backdrop for Mother's Day pictures. The rose garden was in full bloom, as were flower beds all over the park. There's enough shade to enjoy the gardens, even on a hot day. We went across the street to the beach and my boys loved the coquina rocks. Exploring and climbing on the rocks was the highlight of their day. Washington Oaks has been on my "local bucket list" for a while, and I am glad I made the effort to enjoy it. We will be back!

We spent about 2 hours riding bikes and walking through this park. It is very well maintained and the gardens are beautiful.

This place was the most beautiful park I have ever been to! The trees are amazing! We had our 3 young children and 2 grandparents with us and everyone had a great time!

We spent low tide at Washington Oaks on the beach side. We crawled amongst the rocks looking for cool stuff. Bring a picnic basket and enjoy the beach and the people watching. And bring a bucket to take back your treasures. On another day we explored the trails and gardens on the other side of the road. Well kept and manicured, a nice place to wander.

I’ve visited this park several times this past year and I still think it is the prettiest state park in Fl.
Christmas time boasts many festive trees which are set up throughout the park.
I’ve witnessed a wedding there and Washington Oaks is always well groomed..

The park also contains a pretty rose garden, a gift store, walking and bike trails, fishing spots...PS. it runs from the river to the ocean ..

The entrance fee is
$5 per car and is worth every penny.

Beautiful place to walk, let the children explore, and so many great photo ops. $5 per carful to enter, stay as long as you want. Pretty spot to watch boats on the inter coastal, huge oaks, Rose garden, and formal gardens.

I recently visited Washington Oaks with my 3 years old daughter and infant son. The park and gardens were extremely stroller friendly. There was also a convenient bathroom. All pluses with small children. We had a picnic on one of the many benches located in the park. We went in early spring so the roses were not in full bloom. However there was no shortage of beautiful flowers. My daughter loved exploring and seeing so many different plants! This is a beautiful place to introduce your little ones to nature. Extremely family friendly park. We will be back again and again.

We didn't realize the rocks were on the opposite side as the park, however, the gardens and roses were beautiful as well as the rest of the flowers and sights. The beach is basically shells the closer to the water you get, so we had lots of fun looking at shells and climbing the rocks, were there about an hour, but could have stayed much longer!!!

A very pleasant place to spend a few hours roaming comfortably without much difficulty even for senior citizens. The $5.00 parking fee is waived for disabled veterans. A large rose garden, benches, pools of water, a winding path-what more could you want? This park is well maintained and well worth the parking fee.

This place was a beautiful and pleasant surprise. We stumbled upon this place on our bike ride. Sat in on the ICW benches and took in the sensory. The Oaks were mesmerizing. 10a Friday morning guided walks too. Well worth the visit.

A great place with two wonderful and different connected parks on both sides of Route a1a! There's an awesome beach with rock formations that look like a moonscape, that's fabulous for photographers on the east side and the gardens and visitor center is on the west side of the road. There are orange trees planted by the original owners that in prior years bear fruit (not sure if the two recent hurricanes have done damage there) they sell when it's in season. There is a beautiful rose garden and trails to walk on near the main house which is on the Intercoastal Waterway. They have also lots of planned event so I'd check their web site calendar.

Great review of what to listen for, watch and then focus on...why birds talk...migration, etc. Nicely done with handouts. Cloudy, cool day so birds were not tremendously cooperative...but the effort was there. Beautiful park...well maintained. Can honestly say some of my most momentous decisions in life for the past 30 plus years have been made in front of the (one of many) iconic live oak trees at the park. Old Florida at its best!!

This place is one of my family’s favorite places. The gorgeous ponds, wildlife, and fauna are amazing and at $5.00 this is a great morning activity. There is a place to watch the inlet waters as well as a nature trail.

Nice way to escape the crowds of St. Augustine. Didn't visit the formal gardens but did a 2.7 easy hike on the nature trails through unspoiled Florida coastal scrub forest. Not spectacular, but pleasant enough and a nice break from the strip malls and throngs of tourists.

This place is beautiful. It's a home and gardens donated to the state in 1964 by the widow of the CEO of GE. She designed the stunning formal gardens that are still kept up beautifully. The view of the Intracoastal Waterway is the prettiest I've ever seen. And, of course, the coquina rocks across AIA on the beach are great fun.

We enjoyed Washington Oaks Garden State Park so much that we have already recommended it to friends! The formal garden were very peaceful, the walking path were well-maintained, and the historic house formerly owned by Owen Young (advisor to several US presidents) was very interesting & educational. This park has 2 sides--the side with formal gardens & the house is along the river. We enjoyed the tranquility of sitting on one of the benches along the river and were thrilled to see a pod of about 12 wild dolphins swimming in the river. Two men were fishing just down the shore from us and another visitor was painting with watercolors in the formal garden. On the ocean side, you can walk a short way to a large outcropping of coquina rock. Coquina is formed from sand & seashells and is not found in very many regions although it was a common building material in early Florida, e.g. in St. Augustine and the sugar plantations in the Daytona Beach area of FL.

If you love gardens and roses, then this is one you need to come see. The rose garden is just stunning shaped in circular pattern. The gardens are laced with ponds and walk ways throughout the lush plants / flowers.

We very much enjoyed the walk through the beautiful gardens with Ranger Jason who was knowledgable and patiently answered the group's many questions. We enjoyed learning about the Youngs, who owned the property before it became a state park, spending some time at the banks of the Matanzas River with some locals who were fishing and spotting dolphins. We drove across the highway to the beach for a quick peek given the chilly weather. A highlight of our trip to the St. Augustine area.

The gardens are gorgeous. There is a view of the inter coastal and some benches for enjoying the view. This place is just very peaceful and beautiful.

What a nice surprise to come upon this beautiful park. So very peaceful, and the grounds and rose garden were delightful. Loved this outing!

This state park offers beautiful walks along the inter coastal and through rose gardens. It also has beach access across A1A with more lovely views. Only $5 admission per carload and well worth it. Take time to visit. Even the teenager liked it.

Great place to watch the sunset you can easily spend an hour plus here lots of parking even has a play ground $2 to get over bridge to get to this state park

We are in St Augustine for a long weekend and I saw pictures of this park and read positive reviews so we drove down. It’s a 25 minute drive from st Augustine beach. Despite the fact that the website says pets are allowed on a 6 foot leash, there were signs that our beagle could not go in the gardens or on the beach. The trails and restrooms were well maintained and the park was pretty but overall not worth visiting unless you just live close. “Bathroom” at the beach access was one porta potty.

Gorgeous nature trails with the azaleas in full bloom! Offers amazing views of the ocean and provides shaded paths that are great for exploring.

Finally got around to see this park I had heard so much about. Beautiful gardens and ponds! It’s worth taking a couple of hours to check it out.

Such a beautiful piece of property. Well kept lovely gardens with flowers and natural Florida native flora. Grounds are so clean, nice trails and a piece of old A1A is preserved to walk on. Staff were very friendly and I really enjoyed the time here. I bought a year pass and will be back again and again!

We stopped here after reading the "Florida Rambler" A1A article about it. We paid a small parking fee (good for park & beach) then went for a walk through the formal gardens. They had Florida-Friendly plants, lots of fountains, sculptures, and so much more. We road bikes on the trails (but not through the formal garden) and along the Intercoastal Waterway. It was truly a magical and amazing place to spend the whole morning through lunch. The Park/land, once belonged to a cousin of President George Washington's who married the daughter of the original owner, General Joseph Hernandez. After Washington's death, it was purchased by the Young's, who left it to the state in 1964. Such a fabulous gift it is!
We then drove across the street to the beach - and what a beach it was! We felt like we had our own secluded oceanfront paradise. Few people were on the sand, and we were fine with that. We enjoyed watching the various birds, swimming (albeit the waves were rough), walking along the coquina sand, and everything else that comes with being on a secluded-like beach.
This is a MUST SEE and BE place of interest along Florida's A1A to Flagler Beach and beyond.

If you are looking for a nice peaceful place to visit and see beautiful trees and flowers then it is the perfect place for you. I may be hard to get to beach but it is definitely worth looking at.

Beautiful place to walk and enjoy. The gardens are beautiful. We were able to take lots of pictures. The ocean side was nice as well.

This place is awesome. There are walking trails for hiking. There is a place to fish on the Matanzas River. The formal gardens are absolutely beautiful. The rose garden was just beginning to bloom. There is a gift shop. This place has it all. Highly recommend. My only regret is that I was not able to see all of the formal gardens due to a wedding being performed there at the time.

I drove up from Orlando to check out this park. It was well worth the pleasant 1 1/2 drive, in my opinion. Nice little garden with a rose garden and some small bridges. Lots of benches each with an engraved placard with nice quotes. Short trail to the Mantaznas river and some seating there. I sat and relaxed and ate a snack. There is also a small visitor center. Well kept restrooms. Beach side still closed but I’d like to go back when it is open.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a scenic park to visit. One may fish, hike, and have a picnic there. The gardens are beautiful. Across the road from the park's main entrance is the awesome Atlantic Ocean with cinnamon colored sand. We had a enjoyable time there and plan on going to the park again.

Intersting park based on an old estate. Be sure to read about the history. The gardens are already blooming in Feb/March. There is a decent picnic area. However to beach across the road was shut for renovation.

Enjoy the gardens and the ponds in this wonderful, quiet park. Spend time watching the birds at work, or stroll to the waters edge, maybe do some fishing or simply watch the boats go by.
You also get access to the beach across the road all for $5, worth every cent.

This state park is a beautiful reminder of days gone by that we can enjoy today. The gardens are spectacular and well-maintained, and the trails wind through native Florida habitat. Don't miss the beach across the road where shells are abundant.

Wonderful park. We live across a1a and it has a great atmosphere nice souvenir shop also. Beautiful stone house with displays on Inercoastal Waterway

This park is unique in many ways. The garden area is mesmerizing. The rose garden has several varieties of roses. There are trails (some paved, some dirt) small bridges, and ponds all over the park. There is a spot in the back of the gardens that is a bank on the intracoastal waterway. There are benches, bait tables, and spacious areas for fishing. The grounds are very well kept. The beach part of the park is stunning, and never crowded. The coquina slabs are accessible, and you can sit on them or explore around them. You cannot take any of the coquina off the beach, but there are many photo opportunities. There are 2 Porta potties, but no shower.

Best time to go is at low tide because of all the coquina rock that you will see. Countless wade pools are fun in the summer for little ones. Great place for photography.

This amazing site is really two parts of one state park.

On the east side, you have a lovely sandy beach with the occasional rock formation thrown in for good measure. The tide swirling and the waves breaking over them made for some great photos. At the time of my visit (mid week) we shared the beach and blue water with one family and a few walkers. It was a fantastic morning.

At midday, we went across the road is the other portion of the park. It's populated with some of the most magnificent oaks I've ever seen, and backs up to the Matanzas river. Fishing is permitted (both at the ocean and the seawall on the River). We spent hours wandering through beautiful gardens, a small but exquisite rose garden even, and some natural undeveloped land as well. You can tour the winter home of the Young family, who donated the property in the 1960's. There were ample places to picnic (and I'd recommend it as a nice shady break from the beach!) and the breeze through the oaks and nature walks was wonderful.

At the time of my visit, the water feature around the gazebo was drained for maintenance or repairs, but I can't wait to go back and enjoy that feature also.

If you like natural settings, this one is a must-experience!

My husband and I stopped by this state park on our way back to west central Florida. It's a hidden gem on A1A!
I would encourage you to take a stroll through all the gardens and go out to the river and sit and relax. Someone who loves landscaping and plants has taken care/ has planted beautiful plants and flowers throughout the park! There's a lot of different trails to explore and it's so peaceful!
We also crossed the main road (A1A) over to the beach and had the beach all to ourselves! It was a beautiful beach but a storm was coming so we didn't stay as long as we would've like!
Take the time to stop! You won't be disappointed!

Went one day and it started raining before we got out of car.So we went back next day. All of us enjoyed this beautiful park.

It is not easy to access the beach of that park, but when you do, the place is incredible. Few people and very quiet.

You can walk through the gardens during the spring especially to view a nice pond and gardens or walk over to the ocean where the coquina is abundant. Pleasant and fun

A few low ground hiking areas with a few river outlooks. Beautiful rose garden and winding manicured areas around the center of the park. Good value. The downside for us is we went to see the sunset and the park closes before the sun sets. Your car is locked in the gates.

My husband and I got married here and it was soooo beautiful! Normally there is a fee to get married here (I believe like $150), but since our ground was so small (around 12 people), they just told us to go ahead whenever we would like.

We decorated and had our officiant stand inside the gazebo.

Only thing was there are a lot of mosquitos. Everyone that went had multiple bites, but it was all worth it lol

The reception was only about 15 min, but then we took over an hour taking pictures throughout the whole park. Everything is very close walking distance, from the gazebo, to the flower garden, to the water view area.

Reception was at 6:20pm and it was perfect weather. We took sunset pics at the water view spot around 7:45 and it was PERFECT!!

Oh also, DO not wear heels. Trust me.. lol If you are going to be walking through the grass and dirt and stuff, I don't recommend it. My photographer got married at this same location and she recommend for me not to wear them and I'm glad I listened and wore flats under my dress lol. My sister in law broke her heel...

Our cousin brought us here. It was a cool windy, sunny, blue skied morning.
The Roses were in bloom this time of year, colorful and fragrant. Large majestic Oaks swaying gently in the breeze. Butterfly's hovering over flower petals. Beautiful landscape. Peaceful stroll through times gone by. Zig zagged ponds throughout. Wish there were Koi fish. To top it off, across the road is the beach with Coquina shell formations along the shore. Pools of ocean water. Nature and time smoothing the shell into beautiful, natural artwork.
A most beautiful place to visit.

Two entrances one for beach and one for Intracoastal. Plenty of parking and lots of shade and tables on Intracoastal side. Beach side has coquina rocks

Gardens were lovely. Plenty of parking. Paths were well marked and maintained.
Very, very busy. Lots of kids and dogs. Would have liked to see more benches along the waterfront.

Great way to spend a day at the beach. Coquina rocks are rare ocean front formations and extremely old and interesting. Used in 16/17th century for forts, homes and shelter. Old town St. Augustine has many structures built with them including the fort. If you enjoy the beach and history, put this on your must see list.

A couple miles South of Marineland on both sides of A1A, you'll find a State Ocean park to the East and a historic plantation to the West on the ICW. Great places to relax and take a leisurely walk.

There is a lot to see here on a property that extends in from the Atlantic beach with its spectacular coquina formations, to fishing or birding along the Matanzas River. The 1930-1940's era home is lovingly maintained, as are the extensive formal gardens nearby. Both ends of the property have nature trails that extend through the palm and palmetto scrub where you can see native animals. The area around the gift shop explains the history of the original agricultural property. It all is very beautiful and interesting.

Great park to stroll, walk, explore, relax. Good for everyone 👍👍
There is plenty parking and a picnic area. Also spots to fish and grill

Great day out for the family. We stopped here on the way to Daytona from JAX and we loved the walking paths through the oaks and visitor center. Don’t miss the coquina rocks across the highway on the beach side of the state park. Interesting erosion has created these interesting formations. Do your kiddos have car fever?? Let them run out that energy here while taking in nature’s beauty!!

Beautiful Red & White Rose Gardens, Fountains and Gazebos. Nice view of the Matanzas River and Atlantic Ocean. Best time to go is early morning and late Spring

Beautiful walking park, with flower, fishing access, nice lawn to hang out on. The water features and huge old trees are great.

The nature paths are quite nice. During the walk along the inlet several dolphins were jumping out of the water. There were numerous boats in play in the water. The fish ponds and gazebo were nice as well. The rose garden had several familiar varieties of roses and a few I didn't recognize. Some of the trees appear to be ancient based on their sizes. Entry was only $5 and that covered entry at the beach across the street as well. The beach was very nice and full of sea shells that can be readily collected.

I started taking my son on few mike walks and hikes in his stroller around the NE Florida.
We decided to go to Washington Oaks. Never been before.
It was a gorgeous park. We did 5 miles together!!! We enjoyed the trails, the flowers, and everything the park had to offer. We had a great time.

Gardens are cool. Waterfront is decent. Wasn’t much of a beach area but overall cool. They did a very nice job with the gardens

Despite the light rain and wind the park and gardens were very nice. Views of the river were exceptional.

We really wanted to visit here but were saddened to see the extent of hurricane damage. Nothing but bulldozers and dead trees at the entrance the day we went. Very sad....

What a gem! The azaleas and live oaks near the entrance were incredible. We visited the rose garden, and while they weren't all bloomed yet, the ones that had blossomed were gorgeous and smelled amazing. There was also a little section off the trail to sit in front of the bay. There are loads of places to have a lovely picnic here. We had our lunch on one of the benches in front of the water. We could see sail boats drift past. A true gem, all for only $5.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit the garden is very beautiful. There are lots of butterflies. There are also displays which are interesting. We were glad we stopped at this park.

I think I only paid $5 to enter. Very beautiful, quiet, lush with roses, bird of paradise, palm trees.

A very beautiful and very well maintained park. Once a plantation it has been turned into a state park. A great place to spend a quiet afternoon.

30 minutes from St Augustine, it s worth the ride. Nice pleasant park with flowers, roses, azaleas, orange trees... Nice view on the sea inlet .

No more than 1 or 2 hours on site.

For a 5 entry fee per car it is well worth the trip and a few hours to walk around and explore. The entry also gives you the option of going across to the beach which is nice as well.

If you want to see some seriously beautiful trees and a rose garden, this is the place. Can even walk down to water. Wonderful place. A must see!

We really enjoyed our time here. and spent about 6 hours enjoying the hikes through the woods and the formal gardens. Beautifully well maintained park. Disappointed that the gift shop was closed.

Nice Park.. Bird Watching, Trails, Boat Ride to Fort Matanzas and tour of the fort. Owls are usually here in nesting season.

Great place to picnic. Also excellent place for pictures . The rose garden is beautiful. Would be perfect place for a wedding.

We did the nature trail and then went to the formal gardens. The benches overlooking the river are so relaxing. We watched dolphins swimming. Then we drove over to the beach and it was beautiful. Great day trip from St Augustine.

Peaceful,quiet, interesting local history. Near the aquarium and restaurants on AIA. Bings landing park nearby.

Such a beautiful park, I had the best time! There is so much to walk around and look at here. They have a few gardens with actual food being grown and it’s all labeled. Then, there’s a huge rose garden and so many other beautiful, unique, colorful flowers all over the place, and each one is worth stopping to look closer at. They have a couple trails to walk as well where you can find even more greenery, and there are little signs at intervals that tell you about different plant life that can be seen, and I loved that. At the edge there is a huge lake and it is such a gorgeous view. They have a park for the kids, bathrooms, a gift shop, and a huge picnic area as well, so you really could spend almost an entire day here. They also have signs up all over explaining the history of the park and area, and it’s pretty fascinating. This is definitely a cool stop and I’d highly recommend if you have the chance! And don’t forget about the beach and rocks on the other side of A1A that are also part of the park! You can’t miss out on seeing those, they are so stunning in an entirely different way.

Lovely walk under big oak trees. The beach part of the gardens was closed for repairs after hurricane damage, but we still enjoyed the gardens and the view of the river. It gets a bit too hot in June, next time we go we will go in winter or spring.

Went with the family, is a beautiful park with a small beautiful rose garden. There are different flowers around, butterflies and a pond. When you reach the end across the park you can do some fishing and even barbecue. We got to see some dolphins too that were passing by. It doesn’t take the whole day to see it I do recommend it if you like parks and nature.

It was okay. Like a 10-15 walk with the option to hike a trail. Not amazing, there were some plants, like a rose bush area, and a view of Mantazas and a little pond.

I was here yesterday for the Earth Day Event. It was a beautiful park. I wish I had more time to spend and take more photos. Absolutely beautiful rose garden. I loved this place.

I camped at Anastasia State Park and was given a BOGO to see the Washington Oaks Gardens State Park during my stay. I visited with just over an hour before closing and am so glad I went! I would like to go again and definitely spend more time there. I didn't realize that you can cross the street for more of the park. It could be a bit clearer but I drove around the main part first to get a sense of things and also took a map which was useful and pretty. The sign posts with info throughout were also pretty and clean and well done. The formal gardens are a nice walk and I love how the house is the visitors information center set up for a self guided walk through with the living room as one may have been found decades ago when the Youngs lived there. More information on their lives and a guided tour of the grounds would be awesome. I'm not sure if they do that. There are trails to walk and there is a picnic area. I was able to go for free and will say that the modest fee is worth it. I'd plan to spend at least 3 hours and you could make a day or longer stay of it if you walk the trails, visit the beach, see the gardens, and pack a lunch. Really cool spot with neat history. The gift shop was closed when I was there and I saw few others including rangers or caretakers. Parking options were good. A small RV is fine. Big rigs may want to inquire about where is best to park.

Pros: The gardens were very nice. Enjoyed the flowers and the various insects that were on and around the plants. The beach was nice and the rock formations were quite neat. The little museum offered information as to the history of the site and why it remains as a state park today.

Cons: Parking for the beach is extremely limited. Had a hard time finding a place to park as the lot was full. There is a nature trail, but it is not marked as to how far it is or where it goes.

Tips: Wear shoes made for walking for the gardens and nature trail. Sandals on the beach, of course! Bring camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

It is definitely worth a stop. Take a drink and a good book, and sit in the shade, or in the gabezo and relax a bit. The gardens are lovely. There are trails to hike or mountain bike if you are so inclined. They are well maintained and marked. You can't take your pet into the gardens, but I think they are allowed otherwise. It is worth the 5 $ fee

By far our favorite part of our trip. The nature trail was awesome!! Walking the grounds after was also very peaceful and serene!! Great for the whole family!!

The Rose Garden was a beautiful spot, even in January. We walked through the park and made a stop at the visitor center, which was once the home. A great park for a nice change of pace. Easy to spend an hour or two.

We enjoyed a short visit to Washington Oaks Gardens when we needed a break from the regular beach. One restroom was open but other facilities were closed. $5 to park. The gardens are beautiful.

The park is a beautiful diversion after a day at the beach or time spent downtown. The plantings are beautiful and it’s $5/carload admission also allows access to the beach across the street.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is located on A1A just South of Marine Land.

Prior to being donated to the state the land was owned by industrialist Owen Young. Several years after his death his wife Louise donated the property to the state of Florida. Mrs. Young was responsible for the development of the formal gardens, citrus groves and the house.

The park is meticulously maintained. There are two parts: One section (on the East side of A1A) provides access to the beach. The other part of the park is on the West side of A1A where one will find the Young's vacation home, the formal gardens, biking and hiking trails, etc. The park is a relaxing, beautiful spot and anyone of any age can enjoy a visit. A lot of attention has been given to making the park handicapped accessible. Dogs on leashes are allowed in the park, but not in the formal gardens.

To enter the park, follow the signs on A1A. A Ranger will accept payment ($5 per car) and give information and a map of the park. Hours are 8am until dusk.

Spent about 2 hours here on a Sunday afternoon. The gardens are so pretty and the view of the inter-coastal is wonderful. Lots of places to sit and just enjoy the surroundings. Plenty of picnic tables at the far end of the park, along with a play ground. A short .5 mile trial is informative and so relaxing. I loved this place

If you go to the beach side, you will see some pretty cool coquina rock formations that you can climb on and explore.

Beautiful day, beautiful park. Saw people removing large chunk of coquina though. I guess they couldn’t read. Great access even for handicapped. Different beach than you find in other parts of the East coast of Florida.

We were taking a drive done A1A on a recent trip and we saw this on the way
down. I looked it up to see what it was all about and on the way back we stopped! So glad we did! A beautiful, peaceful stop with southern charm. On my next vacation I will linger an bit longer.

Having adult guest of all ages, all have enjoyed a sunny late morning or early afternoon visit to Washington Oaks. Trails through old oak trees with moss, manicured garden areas, trails along the intracoastal waterway... and a souvenir shop. Plus, a short stretch of the old (original) 1A hwy from the 1940's on which to walk back in time. There is a separate beach area too (you'll need to drive or bike out to it).

Had it not been for the free pass supplied by the ranger station at nearby Anastasia State Park, we would never have known about this Florida Gem. As pointed out in other reviews, the $5 recommended admission fee is on the honor system and seems like a real bargain, even though the self-guided tour takes less than 2 hours, including time for a nice picnic lunch at one of the many tables or benches overlooking the gardens or the intercoastal waterway. The flower gardens are exquisitely maintained, thanks to a group of dedicated staff and volunteers.

$5 a carload to get in. Beautiful grounds, stunning landscaping. Great place to get some pictures or to watch the sun set over the River. There are several benches that face the water where you peacefully sit and watch the boats zip by. Would be great place for a romantic picnic. There are also a few trails as well. Nice place- we enjoyed it & felt like it was worth the $5 admission.

Nice park but if you go, particularly with pets check everyone for ticks afterwards. We have been twice now and had tick problems both times.

Washington Oaks, is a great place for walking trails to see the beautiful plants and enjoy a relaxing day. Highly recommended if you want a nice quiet walk along the water.

Nice park to walk around. Beautiful gardens. Along the intracoastal waterway. A room in available to go into with historical info on video and AC to cool off. At the north end of the park are more nature trails to walk.

This attraction has expansive gardens and trail system. Cost is $5 dollars per vehicle to get in. Very relaxing and peaceful. There is also a park and picnic area for the kids. They have 2 days per month when they have plant sales. There were several people fishing the day we were there.

Could not give this place an overwhelming 5 but for the first visit, the place was VERY nice. If you plan to walk the trail, be prepared as its dense in some parts which can be susceptible to insects. A visit to the Washington Oaks Historic District is a must. Make time to visit the historic Owen Young House and the beautiful gardens. Cross the street and visit the beach. Always worth a look. Lots to do here. we'll be back.

Nice area to bike. Or walk around and see the intercostal water. Many BJ he’s scattered around to sit. Small play grounds for the kids. P a full walk over bridges to see the ponds and flowers

What a wonderful place for senior pictures, family pictures, wedding pictures and so many more! Such a beautiful landscape.

The rose garden is beautiful, worth seeing. But the beach across the road is awesome, the rocks are flat for the most part and not slippery so even with knee replacement I can climb on them.

If you enjoy the outdoors and seeing nature’s beauty this is definitely worth a visit. Entrance fee is only $5 per carload. There is a separate picnic area with tables where we enjoyed the sandwiches we brought. The gardens are well maintained and peaceful with a beautiful rose garden and plenty of water features. Great place to take pictures. There is also a little museum near the river and gift shop at the entrance. For those who need handicap accessible areas, note the walking paths are mostly made of hard packed sand. Our grandmother was able to get around fairly well on her electric scooter though did get “stuck” a couple of times so please keep in mind. The fee also includes access to the beach across the street where it has very cool rock formations and a decent amount of shells. Note the parking area is under construction and it is a bit of a walk to the formations but well worth it. This beach area at the moment is not handicap accessible - even to just be able to see the ocean because of the high dunes but perhaps the improvements will address this. All in all would definitely visit again.

We stopped by Washington Oaks Gardens around 10:00 am as we did not want to be overwhelmed with tourists while exploring. We found few people at the park except for a few local walkers. Clean, pristine trails with sweet benches placed throughout the trails to sit and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. LOVED the rose garden that was all in bloom with lovely colors. The one negative piece we experienced was that the gift store was not open at the time of our visit. The gift store has limited hours.

Such a beautiful park with the old Oak trees and hanging Spanish moss. Take the ferry over to the fort on the island across the river!

We went twice in a week to this park, walked the trail that encompasses the old A1A, saw two tortoise munching grass and a rattlesnake crossed the road in front of us on the old A1A road. The time that we walked the trail going “around” the A1A we didn’t see any wildlife. The garden part is largely under maintenance, should be awesome when it’s done. The beach side is also still closed. Seeing the snake was a little freaky. I know, it’s nature, but that snake was fast, 6 feet long, and in no way shy around the four of us. We ID’ed it later as an Eastern Diamond Back.

Beautiful gardens with views of the intercoastal and Atlantic beaches. Very friendly. Plant sale every second Saturday, each month.

I traveled here with my girlfriend for the day. The cost was only five dollars per car and was well worth it. The little gift shop has some interesting items and the park itself looks amazing.

This is the most incredible State Park in Florida! It has so many wonderful features to it. The Matanzas River with people fishing, the ocean walk with the coquina rocks, the home, the variety of plants, the formal multi-colored rose garden, the stone and water features, and the helpful staff all helped to make this a perfect place to visit.

We spent about two and a half hours here and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The mix of tropical plants was fun and several plants were in bloom. The shell ginger flowers were gorgeous. I also saw my first blooming travelers palm flowers. They looked like bird of paradise flowers until we realized they were part of the palm itself.

We were able to see most of the roses flowering except the yellow. We enjoyed seeing the variety of colors and checking out which roses were the most scented. Each section of the gardens was lovely and the varying vistas created throughout the grounds made for fun photo opportunities.

The workers and volunteers we encountered were knowledgeable and helpful, answering questions and identifying plants despite the vague descriptions we were giving them. Be sure to check out the two huge staghorn ferns hanging from trees. They’re impressive!

I do recommend taking water, especially with the heat, and having bug spray available. We saw dozens of dead jellyfish on the beach so be mindful where you step.

The entry cost was $5 per vehicle. Parking was plentiful at both the garden and beach sides of the highway. There were restrooms near the parking lot. The site has a Gift Shop but the open hours are limited.

I plan to return frequently despite the drive... And intend to do it on the Saturday they have the plant sale! I highly recommend this spot!

This little spot is very beautiful & peaceful. At the right time of year, the flowers must be gorgeous. The live oaks are huge. The history is also interesting. There’s a spot on the intracoastal that is great to watch the boats sail by.
Then cross over the road to spend time at the gorgeous beach. Very quiet. The coquina rock outcrop is fascinating to walk around.
$5 per car for gardens & beach.

Great place for a wedding shoot or to spend an afternoon. You can fish the inter-coastal from here as well. Great gardens.

This park is truly like two different parks! The gardens on the intercoastal are breathtaking~ winding through huge ancient live oaks. The house on the property has some great art & history of the property. They do a wonderful job maintaining the gardens. On the other side of A1A is the beach with coquina rock formations. If you have never seen~ it is a beach treasure! Make sure to check for starfish, crabs and such in the rocks

We had been curious about Palm Coast, so we looked up this State Park. We like to hike, so we found a trail as soon as we arrived. Never thought about bug spray, but wished we had used some, as there were a lot of bugs the entire trail. Lot's of native plants that were nice to look at. There is a formal gardens area in the middle that is well worth walking through, no bugs there. It comes out to the intercoastal waterway where there is fishing. Glad we stopped at this park.

Washington Oaks Garden is one of the places I daydream about getting away to. The Gardens are beautiful and peaceful. Then there are the wooded trails that lead to my favorite area the benches facing the intercostal water ways. I feel so relaxed listening to the water lapping on the shore as I watch people fish and the boats pass by.

We visited this gorgeous park on a chilly and overcast day. Apparently because of that, we were almost the only ones there!

Only $5 per carload to enter. We first visited the gardens, which are on the west side of the highway (there is a sign). The moss covered oaks are so amazing. There are also many flowers, and several little decorative ponds and fountains. I took so many pictures. We spent probably about an hour here.

Then we crossed the highway to see the beachside of the park. You don’t have to pay again; admission is included with buying a pass to the gardens. The beach is really nice. There are natural rock formations that are fun to explore. It’s another great photo op.

I visited the park on our last day in Florida.
I didn't expect much to be in bloom in the gardens, but was pleasantly surprise by the camilias, a bromeliad, and a few iris. The oaks were Hugh and lovely. I walked throughout the gardens an along the ontercoastal waterway. I also walked part of he nature trail. I saw one other visitor while there. It was definitely worth the visit

My husband and I visited in morning and had the whole park practically to ourselves. There were several volunteers working outside. We had previously visited the beach side with the majestic coquina rocks but this was a first to the park/garden side.
We brought breakfast sandwiches and parked at the end of the park near the children’s playground where there is a shady picnic area. We picked up the nature hiking trail there and it was shady and lush green. Several signs along way point out specific plants and along the Matanzas there are some benches to sit a spell and watch birds. There are bait stations so I guess this is popular for fishing too. The formal gardens are absolutely stunning with a rise garden and many water features. There are signs explaining the historical background of the site. The gift shop and plant sales were not open due to COVID but I will definitely return. So man great photo opportunities!

Fortunately we saw this park on a local map and visited the formal gardens, as the Atlantic beach side of the park is currently closed for storm restoration. The peaceful gardens are a respite from traffic, commercialism and the hustle and bustle of the nearby beach towns. Well worth the drive and small entrance fee.

Had not be. There since hot with 2 hurricanes. But was very nice. New outdoor pavillion. Park has picnic area and nice walking trails and flower gardens. Paths are clean and roomy. Open concert was nice.

From just one visit, this stunning park quickly became one of my favorites. It is a truly beautiful area to walk around, explore the gardens and to enjoy the well maintained facilities. We went during the week, and had prime choice of picnic table and grill. I imagine it fills up over the summer weekends, so would be worthwhile getting in earlier. Definitely going to visit again. Soon.

Beautiful garden. Walking trail was a nice peaceful, relaxing and beautiful. Beach incuded across A1A was very nice. Total cost was $5 a car. Worth it.

Great place easy drive to..gardens and walking paths..saw dolphins in Mantazas river. Went over a1a to ocean side..nice view of ocean, walk beach very nice place

The trails are in good shape. Hiking it the thing to do here. The beach across the street is beautiful...full of shells, wear water shoes.

very awesome gardens and plants lots of unique plants that grow in florida like a paradise close to ocean

The first parking area leads to 2 nature trails: one is a little over 1 mile round trip while the second one is a couple of miles longer. We did the first one which has a really neat part that follows old Highway A1A. We saw lots of animal tracks and huge wild muscadine vines entwined in the oaks. The formal gardens are well maintained and beautiful with many large oaks. There's an information center with comfortable seating to watch a video about the park and informative panels to read.

Drove in here after finding Ft Matanzas ferry inoperable after Irma. There was a lot of storm damage all the way along A1A, including downed trees near the entrance station to this park. There was no attendant on duty and the parkiing lot by the gardens was full due to a wedding. Not wanting to intrude, we just turned around and went on to other destinations.

Stopped on our way back to Longwood from visiting in Jax. Loved everything about this park - great trails with varied environments - ocean, river, forest, gardens. We were lucky to be there during a plant sale - got some great (deer-resistant) items. Nice gift shop as well to help fund the park.

While staying in Palm Coast, we decided to visit this State Park. Unfortunately the weather was very hot and humid which prevented a lengthy visit. What we did get to see was very impressive. The oaks are magnificent, the old home set up as a small museum was also very nice. In addition to impressive grounds, the formal rose garden was a crowning jewel. We'd like to return when the weather is a little cooler.

Go visit and see the gorgeous rose garden. Enjoy the trails and the breezes off the Ocean and views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Get place to have a date.

This "park" was a pleasant surprise. Formal gardens, a rose garden, towering old beautiful oak trees. A self guided tour through the gardens ponds and extreme landscaping.

What a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Our first day in Palm Coast we walked the grounds and sat by the water. The gazebo is situated nicely on the grounds. The gift shop has some interesting items as well. Check out the old radio.