Exploring Big Lagoon State Park: Pensacola’s coastal gem

Wildlife observation tower against the sun setting behind Perdido Key in Big Lagoon State Park.

Nestled 10 miles southwest of downtown Pensacola, Big Lagoon State Park offers a serene escape into Florida’s natural beauty. Spanning over 700 acres along the northern shore of Big Lagoon, this park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, bird watchers and families seeking a peaceful retreat.

Established in 1978, Big Lagoon State Park is steeped in history. Shell middens and other artifacts indicate that the area was inhabited during the Woodland (800 B.C.E. to 1000 C.E.) and Mississippian (1000 to 1600) periods, thanks to the lagoon’s abundant resources.

In the 20th century, the land was home to Miss Ivey, who operated one of the area's first fast-food establishments from a mobile home, serving burgers to local anglers and visitors.

The park boasts nine distinct natural communities, including estuarine tidal marshes, pine flatwoods and coastal scrublands, supporting diverse flora and fauna, some of which are rare or endangered. Big Lagoon serves as a stopover for at least 23 species of wood-warblers and various shorebirds during migration seasons. The park is also home to the elusive gopher tortoise and the large-leaf jointweed, a plant unique to Northwest Florida.

Recreational Opportunities

Activities at Big Lagoon State Park include:

• Hiking and biking — Explore over 5 miles of trails through diverse landscapes.

• Paddling and boating — A two-lane boat ramp and a hand-launch area for kayaks and canoes provide access to the Intracoastal Waterway and beyond.

• Fishing and crabbing — Anglers can cast lines for redfish, flounder and sea trout, while crabbing is popular in the shallow waters.

• Birding and wildlife viewing — The park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

• Stargazing — In partnership with the Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association, the park hosts stargazing events far from city lights.

  
  

Big Lagoon State Park’s facilities include picnic pavilions, restrooms, a playground and an amphitheater. The park is wheelchair-accessible with boardwalks and campsites. The campground is closed for renovations but typically offers 75 sites with electric and water hookups, as well as primitive group camping areas.

This August, Big Lagoon State Park, in partnership with the Escambia Amateur Astronomers Association, will launch An Evening Under the Stars, a series of public stargazing events to explore the night sky. The gatherings will take place at the park’s Amphitheater area on August 16, September 13, and October 11, offering breathtaking views of the moon, planets and other celestial wonders.

The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset Admission is $6 per vehicle for up to eight people), $4 for single-occupant vehicles, and $2 for pedestrians and cyclists.

For more information, visit the Big Lagoon State Park website.