Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park offers a remarkably diverse outdoor experience for families, combining ocean beach access with a freshwater lake, extensive camping facilities, and specific kid-friendly attractions like a splash pad and playground. It's a comprehensive destination ideal for families seeking varied outdoor adventures, from exploring tide pools and playing at the beach to camping with full hookups, all within one location. The presence of helpful staff further enhances the visitor experience.
Key Highlights
- ✓Excellent beach access for ocean activities.
- ✓Fun splash pad that children enjoy.
- ✓Great playground area for kids.
- ✓Paddle boat rentals available on the lake.
- ✓Extensive camping grounds with running water, electrical outlets, and fire pits at each site.
- ✓Beautiful lake with trails for exploration.
- ✓Wonderful and helpful staff contributing to a positive experience.
- ✓Perfect tide pools with awesome sea life for 'Littles' to explore during low tide, specifically at spots #1 and #2 next to Mayport.
Standout Features
- ⭐Dual access: Ocean beach on one side, freshwater lake with trails on the other.
- ⭐Dedicated splash pad for younger children.
- ⭐Multiple playground areas.
- ⭐Paddle boat rental availability.
- ⭐Comprehensive camping sites featuring running water, electrical outlets, and fire pits.
- ⭐Extensive trails for hiking and nature exploration.
- ⭐Abundant and accessible tide pools for marine life observation, with specific recommendations for spots #1 and #2 near Mayport.
- ⭐Friendly, wonderful, and helpful staff.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Visit during low tide specifically to explore the tide pools; spots #1 and #2 near Mayport are highlighted as the best for this activity.
- →Exercise caution and be aware of gators, especially near the lake areas.
- →If planning to camp, note that sites are well-equipped with running water, electricity, and fire pits, which is a significant amenity.
- →Prepare for potentially crowded conditions if visiting during popular holiday weekends.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Bathrooms could use more frequent cleaning.
- ⚠Potential presence of gators near lake areas, requiring caution and awareness.
- ⚠Can be crowded with kids and families during peak times, such as holiday weekends (e.g., New Year's weekend).
Price & Value
No specific entry fees or rental prices are mentioned. However, the park offers a wide array of activities (beach, splash pad, playground, paddle boats, camping with substantial amenities like running water, electrical outlets, and fire pits), suggesting strong value for a single location's offerings, especially for multi-day camping experiences.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the provided reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific food and drink policies (e.g., outside food allowed/disallowed) are mentioned in the provided reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details regarding parking availability, capacity, or cost are mentioned in the provided reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The park can be 'crowded with kids and families' during holiday weekends (e.g., New Year's weekend). This indicates popularity and a lively atmosphere during peak times.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No explicit safety features like lifeguards (for beach/splash pad), security, or first aid stations are mentioned. However, a specific warning to 'Watch out for gators!' highlights a general safety consideration regarding local wildlife.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If seeking consistently spotless bathroom facilities, as some reviews indicate they could use more cleaning.
- • If you prefer very quiet, uncrowded experiences during peak times, as the park can be 'crowded with kids and families' on holiday weekends.
- • Ignoring wildlife warnings; caution and awareness are necessary regarding gators near water bodies.
Pricing/Package/Events
🍎Food Policy
- • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the park.
- • Glass containers are not allowed in the park.
- • Open fires and grills are not permitted on the beach.
- • Concession managed by Adventure Kayak Florida offers snacks and other camping items.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Parental supervision is required at the Kids Splash Park; no lifeguards present.
- • Swimming is prohibited in the lake.
- • Powerboats are prohibited in the lake.
- • Castnets are prohibited in the lake.
- • Night fishing is prohibited in the lake.
- • The collection, destruction, or disturbance of plants, animals, or park property is prohibited.
- • Do not feed the wildlife.
- • Pets are permitted in designated areas, must be on a leash eight-feet or less, be attended and well-behaved at all times.
- • Golf carts, ATVs, motorbikes, scooters, go-karts, skateboards, chainsaws, and generators are not permitted in the park.
📅Booking Policy
- • Camping reservations can be made online.
- • Annual passes can be purchased online via the online reservation system.
- • Cozy cabins require a two night minimum stay.
- • Picnic areas, cookout facilities, and other group activities are available by reservation. To reserve, email HannaPark@coj.net or call 904-255-6767.
🚗Parking Information
- • Included with car entry fee ($5 for up to six people).
- • Early bird entry requires prior purchased passes.
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Sarah Cooke
a month agoThe beach is always great, the splash pad is so much fun too! There is a great playground, paddle boats, and camping grounds. There is lots to do here!
Katie Farmer
3 months agoWe drove in from Mobile, Alabama. Stayed over the new years weekend! We love it! The park was crowded with kids and families. Would highly recommend! All sites have running water, electrical outlets and fire pits!
shay shockney
2 months agoAbsolutely beautiful place to camp or enjoy a day of bliss one side you have the beach other the lake with trails and activities are endless 😀 staff is all so wonderful and helpful truley our favorite places to be at
Chris Calhoun
in the last weekIt's always a great time here, low tide leaves some perfect tide pools for Littles to explore and some pretty awesome sea life. If you have the chance, go. Best spot for tide pools is number 1 and 2 right next to Mayport.
Derek Denlinger
2 months agoVery cool park. Beach access and also lakes and kids playground area. Bathrooms could use some cleaning, but the park is a cool place to visit. Watch out for gators!