About St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge is comprised of two islands and two mainland tracts totaling approximately 12,492 acres. Popular recreational opportunities include fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, kayaking, and nature photography. Surrounded by Outstanding Florida Waters, the Refuge is an important stop-over point along the Gulf coast for neotropical migratory birds and a haven for threatened and endangered species. In addition, St. Vincent NWR serves as a breeding site for endangered red wolves.
How to Get There
The Refuge Office/Visitor Center is in the Harbor Master Building at 479 Market Street, Apalachicola, Florida. Refuge signs on Highway 98 will direct you to the Center. The Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:00 E.S.T. St. Vincent Island is 9 miles southwest of Apalachicola and is surrounded by water. The closest public boat ramp to the island is located 22 miles west of Apalachicola at the end of County Road 30-B. From that boat ramp it is one-quarter of a mile across to the island. Boaters should be sensitive to winds, tide fluctuations, currents, storms, and oyster bars.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1620) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge?
The Refuge Office/Visitor Center is in the Harbor Master Building at 479 Market Street, Apalachicola, Florida. Refuge signs on Highway 98 will direct you to the Center. The Center is open Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:00 E.S.T. St. Vincent Island is 9 miles southwest of Apalachicola and is surrounded by water. The closest public boat ramp to the island is located 22 miles west of Apalachicola at the end o…
How do I contact St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 850-653-8808 or email: saintvincent@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
