Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park: 7 Things We Love

Tucked away on the north end of Jacksonville’s beaches is Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. While Jacksonvillle has tons of great parks and playgrounds for families, Hanna is one of the best there is. This city park has a small fee to enter, but it’s well worth it for access to all they have to offer. With tons to do it’s easy to spend the day, or even plan a weekend camping at Hanna Park.

Great Beach Access

There are lots of great beaches in Jacksonville, but Hanna Park will always be one of our favorite, family friendly locations. With over a mile of sandy beaches Hanna Park is the perfect spot to hit the beach with the kids. There’s tons of parking at several lots along the coast. Maybe best of all, it’s a prime area to hunt for shark teeth and sea glass in Jacksonville. Hanna Park is a great beach in Jacksonville to take your Shark Tooth Sifter and look for teeth.

Tons of Picnic Pavilions

Perfect for a family reunion or just a family picnic, there are plenty of pavilions at Hanna Park. It’s easy to accommodate groups of all sizes with the wide variety of offerings. Reservations are required for larger groups and specific pavilions, but if you’re just looking to enjoy your lunch while enjoying the outdoors then there are lots of great spots to choose from. Dolphin Plaza is a large, ocean front building that you can rent for weddings and other special events. If you’re looking for a more intimate event, hire a pop-up picnic company and enjoy a charcuterie box by the ocean.

Camping at Hanna Park

Hanna Park is one of our favorite spots to camp in Jacksonville. Boasting over 200 camping sites, you can bring your RV or your tent to Hanna Park for a weekend away. They even have a few cozy cabins you can rent. The campground has a playground, laundry facilities and a camp store. You can make reservations online through the city website. Pets are allowed at the Hanna Park campground and on the beach, but they must be leashed and their is a 2 dog limit per visitor.

Hanna Park Splash Pad

Newly renovated in 2021, the Hanna Park Splash Pad is bigger and better than ever. There’s a large, fully fenced sprinkle ground to keep the kids cool all summer long. The splash pad is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day and is included in your entrance to the park.

Hiking & Bike Trails

If you’re an avid bike rider, or enjoy a little hiking in North Florida, then Hanna is a great spot for you to visit. There are over 20 miles of trails, ranging from beginner to advanced allowing something for everyone to enjoy. Helmets are required on all trails while at the park, so plan accordingly.

Great Jacksonville Surfing

If you’re looking for a great beach to surf in Jacksonvillle, then the Mayport Poles are a must visit. Known to locals as The Poles, this area of the beach at Hanna Park is perfect for intermediate to advanced surfers. Go early or on the weekends if you want to avoid the crowds. Weekends are known to have lots of groms out catching a wave.

There’s an Awesome Playground

Renovated a few years ago, the playground at Hanna is one of the best in the city of Jacksonville. There are lots of spots for climbing and sliding and swinging and there’s also a small zip line that kids can use. With tons of picnic tables scattered throughout the playground/splash pad area, it’s the perfect spot for families to explore and enjoy the day.

So whether you’re looking for the beach, trails, camping or just a great playground to visit, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is one of our favorites because it has a little something for everyone.