Hanna Park by the Numbers: 300 Campsites, 1.5 Miles of Beach, 20-Plus Miles of Trails and $5 Per Car

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, on Wonderwood Drive near Mayport, packs an Atlantic beach, a freshwater lake, a campground and a trail network into one city-run park. Admission is $5 per car, camping starts at $18 a night for a tent, and the park is open seven days a week, according to the City of Jacksonville. The numbers below, drawn from the city's park pages, show what the park offers and what to know before a visit.

The Park by the Numbers

The city says the park is home to The Poles, a well-known surfing spot along the beach. Wikipedia describes the park as about 447 acres of mostly wooded land and says it was created in 1967 when 5 acres were donated. The city's own pages do not list the park's total acreage, so that figure is attributed to Wikipedia.

Hours and Entry Fees

The park is open seven days a week, but closing time changes with the clocks. According to the city, closing time is 8 p.m. starting the day before Daylight Saving Time begins and 6 p.m. starting the day before Eastern Standard Time begins. Because Standard Time returned on Sunday, Nov. 1, the 6 p.m. closing applies now, and the last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

Entry from 8 a.m. to closing costs $3 per pedestrian or bicyclist and $5 per car with up to six people, according to the city. Early bird access from 6 to 8 a.m. requires a previously purchased early bird or annual pass, with early bird tickets sold in sets of $50. An annual pass costs $92.52 plus tax, and a bus entry costs $46.73 plus tax.

Active-duty military members and veterans get half off admission with a military ID or a DD-214, but the discount does not apply to annual passes or facility rentals. Entry can be paid by cash, credit card or debit card. Re-entry to the park requires another fee, the city says.

Camping: $18 Tents, $30 RVs and Cabins

The campground has 300 sites in a wooded area with paved access roads, according to the city, and it offers RV, tent and rustic cabin camping. Rates are $18 a day plus tax for a tent site and $30 a day plus tax for an RV site. Cozy cabins also cost $30 a day plus tax, with a minimum stay of two nights.

Campers can book online with a debit or credit card, and the city notes all camping payments are final and non-refundable. Within a 45-day period, RV campers may stay up to 30 nights and tent campers up to 14 nights. Each site allows up to six people, and the registering adult must be at least 18 years old.

Lake, Trails and Other Amenities

The 60-acre freshwater lake is open to fishing, kayaks, pedal boats and canoes, according to the city. Swimming is prohibited in the lake, and powerboats, cast nets and night fishing are not allowed. A campground store and concession run by Adventure Kayak Florida sells supplies and snacks and rents kayaks and mountain bikes.

The park's trails, which the city puts at more than 20 miles, are open to biking and hiking. Wikipedia lists challenging mountain bike trails there named Grunt, Misery and Tornado Alley. A Kids Splash Park operates from the first weekend in May through the first weekend in October, so it is closed this time of year.

Picnic areas, cookout facilities and group spaces can be reserved, and Dolphin Plaza is an oceanfront venue for events such as reunions and weddings. The city also lists boardwalks that lead over the dunes to the beach. Visitors are asked to use those boardwalks to protect the sand dunes.

Rules to Know Before You Go

Alcohol, glass containers, balloons and fireworks are not allowed in the park, according to the city. Fires and grills are not permitted on the beach. Golf carts, ATVs, motorbikes, scooters, go-karts, skateboards, chainsaws and generators are also on the not-permitted list.

Pets are allowed in designated areas on a leash of 8 feet or less and must be attended and well behaved. Visitors may not feed wildlife or collect, destroy or disturb plants, animals or park property. Rules and fees can change, so confirm current details with the park at (904) 255-6767 or [email protected].

A Piece of Local History

Wikipedia reports that part of the land was once Manhattan Beach, described as Florida's first beach community for African Americans during segregation. The article says the community declined after rail service ended in 1932 and was overtaken by American Beach on Amelia Island around 1940. It also says the park is named for educator Kathryn Abbey Hanna, a name required by the donor of the original land.