Big Lagoon State Park

Coordinates: 30°19′15″N 87°24′11″W / 30.32083°N 87.40306°W / 30.32083; -87.40306
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Big Lagoon State Park
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Big Lagoon State Park
Map showing the location of Big Lagoon State Park
Map showing the location of Big Lagoon State Park
Map showing the location of Big Lagoon State Park
LocationEscambia County, Florida, United States
Nearest cityPensacola, Florida
Coordinates30°19′15″N 87°24′11″W / 30.32083°N 87.40306°W / 30.32083; -87.40306
Established1977
Governing bodyFlorida Department of Environmental Protection

First acquired in 1977, Big Lagoon State Park is a 705-acre (2.85 km2)

Florida State Park located on the northwestern Florida coast, approximately 10 miles (16 km) 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 includes several archaeological sites. Park development in the 1980s partially disturbed a

middens from the Woodland period. This and other evidence points to historical use of this maritime habitat to forage on abundant shell fish.[1]

The park is a 'gateway site' for the

jointweed, gopher tortoise, migratory shorebirds such as snowy plover, least tern
among some twenty other listed species.

From Big Lagoon, the Florida Park Service manages two neighboring state parks -

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
to the north.

Recreational activities

The park has such amenities as

swimming in Big Lagoon and 75 electrified camping
sites and a group camp.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ "Big Lagoon State Park Unit Management Plan" (PDF). Division of Recreation and Parks. STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. October 13, 2006.

External links

Media related to Big Lagoon State Park at Wikimedia Commons