Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park, Florida

Sugar white sand dunes meet the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola Bay at St. George Island State Park. Part of the park is only accessible with special permission from the ranger’s office, due to conservation efforts, which means the beaches on the east end are super pristine. There’s plenty to do to keep busy: bike or hike for miles on the park’s main roads, hiking trails, or boardwalks. Take a stroll along the water’s edge and see if you can spot dolphins, rays, or loggerhead turtles in the Gulf; feel free to take a dip with the aquatic creatures to escape the Florida sun. Or just plop down in the sand for a sunbathing session. The best part? You won’t fight the crowds to claim a spot at the beach. That’s right, even with all its amenities and activities, this park still flies pretty low under the radar -- so enjoy it while you still can.