St Joseph Ranger Rendezvous

History, sandy beaches, and fellowship! Come explore some of the panhandle parks.  Join us for the week or just the day!

This event is for current and past FPS staff, families, and guests. It is not open to the general public

Ranger Rendezvous Activities 

Thurs, Jan 11

9:30 – Depart for St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve (transportation on your own).

10:00 am – Meet at Buffer Preserve Visitor Center for orientation and a beautiful view of St. Joe Bay. For an even better view you can climb the observation tower. Preserve Manager, Dylan Shoemaker will take us on a tram ride of the preserve and explain the importance of the Preserve.

Lunch on your own in Port St. Joe

3:00 pm – Constitution Convention Museum. Learn about Florida’s early history and where delegates drafted the first state constitution.  The town of St. Joe was selected over Tallahassee for this significant event in history.  

Fri, Jan 12

10:00 am – 2:00 pm Workday at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.  Depending on the number of “workers” the park has a to-do list for us to complete. Projects include removing and replacing the decking on the park’s only beach access and installation of signs.  

Sat, Jan 13 – Ranger Rendezvous at Gulf Breeze Beach Area

9:00 am - Morning Hike, Meet at Bayview Trailhead

10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Visiting, storytelling, music, games, beach walks, etc.

Noon - Potluck lunch (FPSRA will provide main entre, drinks, disposables)

2:00 pm – Tour of Rish Park (transportation on your own)

William J “Billy Joe” Rish is one of the newest Florida State Parks which stretches from the Gulf to St. Joe Bay with some wonderful resources. The park is designated to provide recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.

Dinner on your own

Shady Pines Campground - Campfire, storytelling, beach walk & star gazing

Sun, Jan 14

8:00 am - Early Birding at St. Joe with Dana Bryan

9:30 am – Depart for St. George Island State Park (transportation on your own)

10:30 am-ish – Meet at St. George, East Slough Beach Use Area eastern pavilion for an easy-paced hike from the beach to East Slough led by Park Manager Josh Hodson. The walk will take about an hour.

Lunch & shopping in Apalachicola.

3:00 pm – John Gorrie Museum, located at 46 Sixth St.

Apalachicola FL 32320.  Learn about the history of refrigeration and how John Gorrie’s invention changed the way we live.  The Museum also currently houses a temporary exhibit on the History of the Florida Park Service.

Campsites are still available but will be released to the public on January 5th. There may be a few dorm-style rooms available at the St. Joe Buffer Preserve.  

Please contact Sandy Cook at Sandy.FPSRA@Gmail.com for more details.

FAMILY, SERVICE, TRADITIONS