Driving south across the bridge from bustling Clearwater Beach to quiet Sand Key is like crossing a moat to an island of calm – though it’s far from boring.
Set at the north end of Sand Key, Sand Key Park is 95 acres of minimally developed county-owned property in two distinct areas – beach and park. Amenities include bathrooms, changing rooms, outside showers and a food concession.
The warm Gulf waters (the average water temperature is 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and it ranges from the mid-60s to the mid-80s) and stretches of clean white sand are the stars of the park, but it offers much more.
Sand Key Park amenitiesPlenty of parking? Check. Food truck selling hotdogs, chicken strips and ice cream? Check. Umbrellas, beach chairs and cabanas to rent? You can check that box too. A playground and two shelters with grills round out the family-friendly amenities.
Visitors who are interested in wildlife will enjoy the park’s nature trail and salt marsh, which attracts many seabirds. From May 1 through Oct. 31, loggerhead sea turtles nest and hatch at the park, as they do all along the Gulf beaches of St. Pete/Clearwater.
Sand Key also has an off-leash dog park, but note that it’s away from the beach, and dogs are not allowed on the beach or the boardwalks. Dogs must be leashed when they’re outside the dog park.
Two fishing piers on the Clearwater Pass side of the park were undergoing repairs in early 2023.
Sand Key Park has lifeguards from mid-March to mid-September, but visitors should check at the park to be sure one is on duty.
Sand Key Park AccessibilityPinellas County has an audio description of the park posted online. Two wheelchairs that can be used on the beach are available. From mid-March to mid-September, visitors can request a beach wheelchair from the lifeguards on duty. When no lifeguard is present, call 727-582-2100 to arrange to borrow one.
What’s Near the ParkFor visitors interested in more sophisticated amenities, the Sheraton Sand Key Resort, which borders the south end of the park, has light bites and refreshments available at its Poolside Café and Mainstay Tavern.
Looking to get out on the water? Sailors can walk to the bay side of Sand Key, across Gulf Boulevard, to rent a variety of small boats from the Clearwater Community Sailing Center.
Sand Key Park Location, Hours and CostSand Key Park is located at 1060 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater. Entrance to the park is free, and parking costs $5 per day. Only credit cards are accepted.
The park is closed the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The rest of the year, the park is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset. Watching the sun set over the Gulf is a great way to end the day.
Guest Reviews
Great beach and walking, biking trails. It has some pavilion s. Clean restrooms. I bit of a walk to the beach itself. If bringing a wagon I would get the one with large wheels because the sand is soft. Paid parking lot money goes to upkeep. If you go to the beach often then a yearly pass is worth the money. Better than paying $4.50 an hour at other beaches. 😎
Loved this beach! It has a more local, laid-back vibe compared to the beaches close by. It was much less crowded, parking was easy to find, and the facilities were well maintained. The outdoor showers were a huge plus for rinsing off after the beach. Perfect spot for a relaxing day by the water without all the crowds.
I've been coming here for 20+ years. It has the perfect combination of gulf blue waters, shells for the collectors, beautiful sunsets, lots of amenities, showers, changing rooms, picnic areas, playground, dog park, and ample cheap parking. $6 gets you all day. There are crowds, but there is so much of everything, you hardly even notice. Love this place ❤️
Very Beautiful beach to look at and appreciate from a distance. The sand looks like it's powdery white, but it isn't. It's white, yes, but not powdery soft, like Ana Maria. It's white because the sand is made up of seashells, which can be quite painful to walk on. The distance from the sand to the water is quite far, which makes the trek to the water feel like eternity. The water is clear. The parking is very affordable. If I remember correctly, it's no more than $6 or so for the day, which you pay via the app. The beach does have water stations for folks to rinse off, before exiting.
Needs more food trucks and the bathrooms need attention. I would be willing to pay more for parking if the bathrooms were kept up. Some beach goers with children did not keep their children out of our area, we had to move 3 times to get away from screaming children and children throwing sand in my face. Otherwise, I did get some rest and my child had fun. I appreciate the lifeguards. I did take some pictures of a friendly game of volleyball, and I hope the guys in the pictures find these. Good memories for them.
Standard Amenities
| Room | Square Feet | Theater | Classroom | Banquet | Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Picnic Shelters |
General Information
- Family-friendly
- Free admission
- Hours: 7 a.m. - dusk
- Paid parking on-site
Accessible Features
- Accessible parking
- Accessible restroom
- Wheelchair-friendly inside walkways
- Beach wheelchair available
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
On-Site Facilities & Services
- Picnic Area
- Restaurant
- Restrooms
- Showers
Park Activities
- Bicycling
- Designated Dog Zone
- Fishing
- Kayaking & Canoeing
- Playground