Looking for an RV getaway to a barrier island paradise? Look no further than Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a small, 145 acre park that is located between the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway. The history of the park dates back to 1886 when the Flagler Beach House of Refuge was established on the current site of the park. this House of Refuge was one of ten that were built by the United States Life Saving Service on the coast of Florida to aid in the rescue of shipwrecked sailors. The park is named after Florida folk singer Gamble Rogers and railroad entrepreneur Henry Flagler.
The park extends across a barrier island and is a fantastic place for all things aquatic. You can swim in the surf, build castles in the golden-brown sand or watch the birds go about their business along the dunes and ocean waves. Fishing is another very popular activity in the park, along with picnicking and birdwatching. Other popular activities include hiking, bicycling, shelling and surfing.
There are two separate campsites at the park that are located on the Atlantic Ocean side of the park and on the riverside. Each campground has 34 sites with electrical hookups that RV lovers can enjoy all year round. Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach has a peak season during the summer time.
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach is located in a very unique location right on the eastern edge of the Florida coastline. The park is found between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River on a barrier island. Despite this the park is still very easy to find and there are many towns nearby. These include Flagler Beach (around three miles away), Korona (around nine miles away) and Bunnell (around 11 miles away). The closest city to Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach is around 14 and a half miles to the north.
Accessing the park is made easy by Highway Florida A1A running directly past the park. Using this road is the only way to access the park and you will easily be able to find the park entrance once you approach the road. The road on the way into the park is very well maintained and you should have no troubles navigating it or the roads on the way into the campground.
There is plenty of parking available within Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach.
The Riverview Campground within Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach is a great choice for RV lovers who want some more space and privacy during their stay. The 34 site campground features sites that are very large
and can accommodate RV's up to 90 feet in length. This campground is popular for those who want a gravel site.
The facilities at Riverview Campground are fantastic and include bathrooms, toilets, easy access to the boat ramp, picnic area and the shared dump station. The campground also has excellent cell phone and TV reception, with visitors noting that over the air TV channels can be picked up easily when staying at this campground. Pets are permitted in both campgrounds in the park but they must be leashed at all times. Due to the park being so popular we recommend reserving a campsite in advance. Reservations are available for up to 11 months in advance.
The Beachside Campground within Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach is a great choice for RV lovers who want to be as close to the ocean as possible. The 34 site campground features sites that have ocean views and back up to the sand dunes or the road. This campground is popular for those who don't mind smaller sites and who want to be as close to the beach as possible.
The facilities at the Beachside Campground are fantastic and include bathrooms, toilets, easy access to the boat ramp, picnic area and the shared dump station. The campground also has excellent cell phone and TV reception, with visitors noting that over the air TV channels can be picked up easily when staying at this campground. Due to the park being so popular we recommend reserving a campsite in advance. Reservations are available for up to 11 months in advance and the maximum RV size for the Beachside Campground is 47 feet.
As you could imagine with a park being located on the dunes of the Atlantic Ocean, swimming will always be a very popular activity for guests to the park who want to exercise, cool off, or have fun. The park has around half a mile of stunning coastline available for visitors to enjoy. Keep in mind that there is no lifeguard on duty in any area of the beach at all times , but the beach is patrolled regularly by park staff.
Another great thing about having great access to the water is that it enables visitors to get out and have a paddle. Canoes and kayaks can be launched from the boat ramp within the park that leads you to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway where you can paddle until your heart is content. If you don't have your own watercraft don't worry as single and tandem style kayaks are available to rent from the park facilities.
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach has several picnic areas located throughout the park for you to enjoy. The most popular picnic area has picnic pavilions and additional picnic tables available to use and they are spread out along the water's edge. If you are looking for a more basic picnic there is also plenty of flat terrain for you to set up a picnic on a blanket. Remember that consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited within the park.
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach.
For those who love to hike, check out the Joe Kenner Nature Trail. This trail is three quarters of a mile long and will take you through a coastal forest towards the Intracoastal Waterway. The trail has several benches and interpretive signs so that you can learn more about the area and also take as many breaks as you need. This trail is also a great opportunity to get some exercise and view some of the local wildlife, but be warned that this trail is a little rugged.
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a superb birding location as it is part of the East Section of The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. The has many different species call it home, including shorebirds such as laughing gulls, ringbilled gulls, least terns, and royal terns and water birds such as the great blue heron, tricolor heron, great egret and yellow-crowned night heron. Osprey can also be seen high above the water perched on platforms or in trees feeding on their catch of the day. You will also find different kinds of warblers, cardinals, robins, sapsuckers and woodpeckers throughout the park.
Want to go for a ride? Well, you are in luck as Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach has numerous bike paths available for you to use. In fact, bike riding is welcome throughout the park, including at the back of the park where there are softer surfaces. If you don't have a bike you are able to rent one from the park office. Rentals are available for adults as well as kids so nobody will miss out on the fun!
