The park was named after Kathryn Abbey Hanna, a noted Florida historian and former chair of the Florida Board of Parks and Historic Memorials.
The mountain biking trails were developed and are maintained in partnership with local cycling organizations to provide varied technical terrain.
Dolphin Lake is stocked regularly to support local freshwater fishing.
The park's location offers a rare combination of oceanfront surfing and secluded maritime forest environments within a single municipal boundary.
Portions of the park serve as a protected habitat for diverse wildlife, including nesting sea turtles and various species of migratory birds.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a 447-acre coastal park in Jacksonville, Florida, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The park features 1.5 miles of sandy beach known as one of the most consistent surfing spots in Northeast Florida. It contains Dolphin Lake, a 60-acre freshwater lake that allows for fishing and small boat paddling. The grounds include over 20 miles of wooded trails utilized for both hiking and mountain biking. Camping facilities consist of 300 individual sites, including both tent areas and full-hookup spots for RVs. The park encompasses a diverse ecosystem of coastal dunes and maritime hardwood forests. It is managed by the City of Jacksonville and provides controlled access points for both beach and lake activities. The area serves as a significant regional hub for outdoor recreation, specifically catering to surfing, fishing, and wilderness camping.
The elevated boardwalks crossing the primary dune line provide unobstructed views of the Atlantic shoreline.
Bring a puncture repair kit if mountain biking, as the trails can be rugged and remote.
Check local tide charts before visiting if your primary goal is surfing, as waves are best during incoming tides.
Utilize the designated beach access paths to protect the sensitive dune vegetation and prevent erosion.
Attempting to surf outside of the designated surfing zones, which are enforced for swimmer safety.
Pack out all trash to preserve the protected ecosystem; stay on marked trails to avoid damaging dune vegetation.
