GAMBLE ROGERS MEMORIAL STATE RECREATION AREA AT FLAGLER BEACH
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Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, this windswept park is named for Florida folk singer Gamble Rogers and railroad entrepreneur Henry Flagler. The beach is the most popular feature at this park, where visitors enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or beachcombing. The daily low tide is an ideal time to observe shore birds feeding in tidal ponds; summer months bring sea turtles that lay their eggs in the golden-brown sand. On the Intracoastal Waterway side of the park, picnic pavilions provide a shady place to enjoy a meal. A nature trail winds through a shady coastal forest of scrub oaks and saw palmetto. Boaters and canoeists can launch from a boat ramp on the Intracoastal Waterway. The park's full-facility campground overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is just a short walk along a boardwalk from the beach. Located in Flagler Beach off Highway A1A.
Birding
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is located on the East Section of The Great Florida Birding Trail. Our park plays host to many different species of birds. Many shorebirds, such as laughing gulls, ringbilled gulls, least terns, and royal terns, to name a few, are found resting on our beach and feeding in the tides. Water birds like the great blue heron, tricolor heron, great egret, and yellow-crowned night heron stalk the shallows of the salt marsh and intercoastal waterway. Osprey can be seen high above the water perched on platforms or in trees feeding on a freshly caught mullet. The interior of the park plays host to different kinds of warblers, cardinals, robins, sapsuckers, and woodpeckers, to name a few. If you enjoy birding you will find Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area a place to stop by and spend the day. How many can you find?
Wildlife Viewing
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area plays host to an extremely wide variety of wildlife and plantlife. Our park plays host to many different birds. This park is located on the east section of The Great Florida Birding Trail. During late spring, summer, and early fall many sea turtles crawl up on the park?s beach to lay their eggs. The beach calls many interesting creatures home such as shore birds, crabs, and fish. Right whales can be found hanging out offshore during winter months. During the warmer months manatees and dolphins can be seen frolicking in the ocean or in the intercoastal waterway. Wildlife such as butterflies, otters, bobcats, deer, owls, gopher tortoise, snakes, and alligators are all possibilities when you on your own adventure in the Real Florida!
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area, consisting of approximately 145 acres, was acquired by the State of Florida on October 4, 1954. This park fits snug between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway. However, the park has plenty of history well before the Florida Park Service came into play.
In 1869, a "House of Refuge" was established on the beachside of what is now Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area. This "House of Refuge" was established to help shipwreck survivors. In the mid 1880?s this "House of Refuge" began serving as a U.S. Life Saving Service Station. Between this time and WWII, the U.S. Coast Guard took control of this station and used it as a base of operation. During World War II, due to the threat of German submarines, the establishment was utilized as an Air Warning Site manned by the U.S. Army Corps, Jacksonville.
Shortly after World War II ended the site was abandoned and the State of Florida obtained the title of the property from the United States of America, on October 4, 1954. On January 23, 1968, the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, conveyed management authority of Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach to the Division of Recreation and Parks.
Day-UseFishingyes
Swimming Beachyes
Bike Trailsyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingWater/Electric Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Our 34 site campground has water and electrical hookups on each site. There is centrally located dump station. The campground has a full service bathhouse. Trash dumpsters are also provided. Our campground has a several ADA accessible camp sites and the restroom facilities are accessible and have ADA restrooms and showers. We have a beach wheelchair available upon request.
The park also offers the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library of picture books for campers aged 4 to 9. Share stories with your child to help explain the sights and sounds they may encounter at the park. Add to your child's experience in the Real Florida with a lending library treat! Ask to check out a book at the Ranger Station.
RV Camping
Our campsites range in size from 20 feet to 47 feet. ADA accessible sites are available. All sites have water, electricity (20,30, or 50 amps offered at each site), a picnic table, and a fire ring. ADA accessible sites also have stand-up grills. A communal dump station is free for our park campers. We have a beach wheelchair available upon request. The park also offers the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library of picture books for campers aged 4 to 9. Share stories with your child to help explain the sights and sounds they may encounter at the park. Add to your child?s experience in the Real Florida with a lending library treat! Ask to check out a book at the Ranger Station.
Boating
Boating is a popular activity at the park. Many visitors enjoy boating for recreation or for fishing as our park gives you access to the intercoastal waterway.
Boat Ramp
A boat ramp is located in our park on the east end of the boat channel leading out to the intercoastal waterway. This boat ramp will safely accommodate canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft, and boats up to 25 feet.
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation area boasts about ? mile stretch of stunning beach. We invite you to come relax and enjoy the beautiful ambiance of the blue ocean, white foam, and orange sand. Visitors can access our beach via several boardwalks including an ADA accessible ramp to the beach. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, sand sculpting, shelling, swimming, surfing, fishing, and wildlife viewing. No matter what your fancy is, you will enjoy spending the day on the beach of Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area!
One way to enjoy our beach is to snorkel the shallow water. Exploring this critical habitat will open your eyes to exciting creatures, neat shells, and perhaps a valuable treasure. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area offers about 1/2 mile of beach for you to explore. You never know what you may find in the hidden shallows of the Florida Coast.
A popular past time in Flagler Beach, surfing is fun and exciting way to pass your time. Feel free to test your skills in the waves and swells of the Atlantic Ocean. There is no lifeguard on duty, however, the beach is patrolled regularly by our park staff. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area offers about ? mile of beach to lay out, paddle out, and test your limits. Come out and ride some waves today!
A variety of fish inhabit the waters in and near our park. Test the limits of your skill, knowledge, and patience. Enjoy competing with the egrets and herons as they stalk the shorelines. Stop by the ranger station for more information on fishing, fishing regulations, tides, bait stores, and licenses.
Many people enjoy canoeing and kayaking in and out of the park?s boat basin and mosquito ditches along the sides of the intercoastal waterway.