Big Lagoon State Park's 655 upland acres, on the Florida Gulf Coast, separates the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. The park features natural communities, ranging from saltwater marshes to pine flatwoods, attract a wide variety of birds, especially during the spring and fall migrations, while the beaches, shallow bays, nature trails and open woodlands offer splendid opportunities for nature study. The park also beckons visitors to camp, swim, fish, boat, canoe and hike. Crabbing in the shallow waters of Big Lagoon is a popular activity as well. The West Beach picnic area, shaded by pines and oaks, is just the place to enjoy a relaxing meal.
Big Lagoon State Park located on the northwestern Florida coast, approximately 10 miles southwest of Pensacola on Gulf Beach Highway. It encompasses the northern boundary of Big Lagoon as it snakes toward Pensacola Bay to the east. Wild Grande Lagoon and its minor tributaries lay within the boundaries of the park, as does the alligator-inhabited Long Pond, a man-made freshwater pond.
The park is a 'gateway site' for the Great Florida Birding Trail. It features nine distinct natural communities including estuarine tidal marsh, mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, and is dominated by scrubby flatwoods. The park features a number of threatened and endangered species such as the Large-leaved Jointweed, Gopher Tortoise, migratory shorebirds such as Snowy Plover, Least Tern among some twenty other listed species.
Rental pavilions and a new state of the art amphitheater are also available for large gatherings such as reunions, weddings and birthday parties. Boat launch, beaches, kayak rentals, campsites, etc., etc. make this park a must see when visiting the area.
