I've visited Johnson's Beach about four times, and each experience has been a little different, which is helpful to know when planning your trip. On one visit, the beach was completely full, and a park officer was kindly turning visitors around and asking them to return later. Another time, it was still quite busy, and parking was hard to find. However, the other two visits were absolutely perfect: peaceful, beautiful, and everything you hope for in a beach day. The National Park Service has done a great job with the facilities. There are showers, changing areas, picnic spots, and restrooms available (not on every single stretch, but close enough to be convenient when needed). The beach itself is lovely and clean, with that relaxing, natural beauty that makes you want to stay all day. Overall, it's a wonderful spot to enjoy a beach day, just keep in mind that availability can vary, especially during peak times. Plan ahead, arrive early if you can, and you'll likely have an amazing experience! read more

We love our Johnson beach!! There is a charge to enter like $25 a carload up to 4 people . there is no charge for parking. It will is like having our own beach. We have an annual pass go as many times as we like. Bathrooms are clean and beach is beautiful!! read more

A hidden gem! This beach is part of the National Park system and has restrooms, showers, covered seating, and beautiful white sand beaches leading out into beautiful clear waters... The rangers working the entrance kiosk are always very kind and friendly and the grounds are very well maintained. Needless to say, I'm a big fan of Johnson Beach and will undoubtedly be back (probably many times!). read more

Johnson Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

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Loved being able to park close to beach when not too busy. Grateful I had the Sr Lifetime park pass, otherwise $25 to enter.

Absolutely amazing place to spend the day on the beach! It's a national park so you can get in with a pass at no extra cost. They have showers, bathrooms and a covered patio. The beach is clean and beautiful! It does get very busy and can have a wait to get in but it's worth it! Even after a long line to get in we found parking easily and a place to setup on the beach. We came almost everyday on our trip. read more

Johnson Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

Beautiful national seashore with a wooden nature walk. $25 per vehicle gets you beach access for a week. I've been coming here since the fee was $8. There were 3 lifeguards on duty when we arrived on Saturday afternoon. There are 3 parking lots, well maintained bathrooms, but no soap in the women's restroom when we went so bring your own soap or sanitizer. There was no water in the water fountains, so bring more than you think you'll need. The beach rangers are friendly and knowledgeable. On a beautiful summer day, the main parking lot was about ~70% full by 2 pm. There is much less trash and fewer "red cup" partiers than the free beaches. The water this past weekend was clear with very few blades of sea glass floating about. We spotted fish no bigger than the palm of your hand and some small jellyfish, but not enough to shorten our time in the water. Primitive camping available. In order to maintain the coastline, cars must park at least 2 miles away from beach campsite. Therefore, you must carry all belongings to your spot, a minimum of 2 miles away, so bring a wagon or two that moves well in sand. Beaches are windy, so beginner campers should prepare for erecting a sturdy tent and if you're relying on fire for food/light, be able to make one in windy conditions. read more

Johnson Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

I definitely recommend Johnson's Beach. It is a truly beautiful dune filled beach with crystal clear water. It's a nice long beach so there's plenty of room for everybody! Definitely a good stop while in the perdido Pensacola area. read more

Johnson Beach - Great birdwatching - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

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National Seashore... Breathtaking White sand beaches. Limited parking. Changing area and lifeguards at the entrance parking area. Take the time to walk down to the point...lots of open spaces and wildlife. Opens one side to the Gulf and the other to the inter coastal waterway. Kayak launch area to inter coastal. read more

Johnson Beach is a National Park, must have a park pass or pay per day. Absolutely a beautiful hidden gem in Perdido Key, FL! It is very clean, with white powdery sand. We literally had a section of the beach to ourselves. Parking is easy and free. Clean bathrooms in main parking lot area. I'm sure we will be visiting years to come. @glampedlife read more

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Johnson Beach is a hidden gem in Pensacola. Pensacola Beach is the go to beach for just about everyone who visits Pensacola, and for good reason, it's perfect for hanging out and do some people watching, plenty of bars, restaurants, gift shops, large parking lot, etc. Johnson Beach is quite the opposite, there are some restaurants in the area, but it's not as walkable as Pensacola Beach. It's got white sands, clear water, a nearby trail, and large gazebo. Johnson Beach is ideal for those looking to relax, maybe do a little fishing, or celebrating a special occasion. I personally enjoy it a little more than Pensacola Beach, I love coming here to do a little walking or jogging, and be a beach bum. You pay a fee to park but they also have a separate section open to the public, you just have to get there early enough to find a parking spot. read more

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Quiet private beach at the state park. Has showers for rinsing off. Good lifeguard it's very helpful.

A large 6 mile peninsula that sticks out into the gulf of America There is an old fort at the very end from long ago. As with any beach, you may see things that might surprise you The bathrooms are very close . Don't do what I did I found some beautiful cone shaped shells got them home put them in the sink in about 9 PM that night. The sink was rattling when I went to the sink. I picked up the shell and out popped to hermit crab and I screamed like a little girl. I rushed them back to the water where they will live. No matter how beautiful the cone shaped shells are please leave them on the beach and buy them at the gift store. Beware the top gun wanna bees playing volleyball or you might get a volleyball in your site. The sand is white and crunchy under your feet. I have found Small sand dollars at Orange Beach. read more

This is an updated post-Sally review 5/20/21 Johnson Beach is located in the National Seashore, so there is a entry fee ($7-$25) but veterans and gold star families can receive a free annual pass and permanently disabled folks can receive a lifetime pass. Just Ask the ranger at the entrance station for the beach wheelchair. The passes and fees changed in 2020 so for all the current details go to: https://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/entrancefees.htm This beach here is crystal white sand, very walkable, has plenty of parking, 4 miles of serene gorgeous beach and dunes, just simply one of the most beautiful beaches anywhere. There's acessible clean bathrooms, shelters, bbqs, wash stations, lifeguards, food truck, outdoor showers, and picnic pavilions. The park is now open after a closure for Covid with no mask requirements however due to hurricane Sally the road past the pavilion is open only to foot and bike travel while repairs continue. The good news is that you can have your own section of beach out there! As always if you time it right, the Blue Angels might fly overhead too. Discovery Nature Trail here is a raised boardwalk that is roughly half a mile that takes visitors through dunes, pine trees and salt marsh outlooks. March 1 - October 31: 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (last entry at 8:00 p.m.) November 1 - Februrary 28: 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Overnight parking not permitted year-round. The park is named in honor of a true American hero, Rosamond Johnson. He was a 15 year African American, during the Jim Crow era, who lied about his age to join the Army to support his family. I encourage you to read his story: https://www.nps.gov/guis/learn/historyculture/rosamond-johnson.htm Bottom line: This is a beautiful area that I highly recommend for beach and nature lovers everywhere. read more

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Johnson Beach is a beautiful beach, it's not a FREE beach, it's part of the National Seashore/Perdido Key State Park, so you need to pay a fee or show your park pass to get in. Lifeguards, pavilions, showers, bathrooms & food trucks/food available. The best part is they have BBQ grills so you can actually day camp/BBQ here. It's a great walking, exploring, swimming, seashell hunting beach. There are tons of secret areas to hike, explore & hunt for shells. I found a perfect giant shell last visit! Yay! Lol :)) There is also a fantastic Boat launch on the Bay, opposite side the pavilions and beach. This is where you want to launch off. It's also the best place to go biking. We bring our bikes here, ride around the key. It's very beautiful and scenic. Lots of wildlife and dolphins. Love going during the week days, weekends tend to be very crowded and the parking is limited. Right now some of the park is closed to traffic due to storm damage. However, you can walk around the entire key on foot if your feeling adventurous. "Perdido Key/Johnson Beach Parking Restrictions Space available protocols at the Perdido Key Area/Johnson Beach are in place. When the parking lot reaches full capacity, no new visitors traveling by vehicle will be admitted." If you get there and the parking lot is full, you will be asked to come back at a later time when there is availability. Enjoy! It's always a great beach day at Johnson Beach! Recommend. read more

Johnson Beach - OMG! I found the perfect shell! Yay!!! - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

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This beach access location that is part of the National Seashore managed by the National Park Service is a very popular option for families wishing to enjoy the beach in less crowded conditions. An extra bonus is the manned lifeguard station, covered picnic pavilions, restroom facilities and outdoor showers. Adequate parking is available and provides quick access to the beach. The modest $25 dollar park access fee is good for seven days of repeat visits. read more

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Enjoy a visit to one of Emerald Coast's most prized beaches along Gulf Islands national seashore. Where beachgoers can bask in the sun, while relishing a panoramic view of sugar white sand, & blue pristine waters, stretching out into the Gulf of Mexico. Those looking for something more adventurous can enjoy water based activities & hiking while discovering the beauty of Johnson Beach's coastal grasslands.      Over the summer I came down visiting family and friends, being I'm no longer a Gulf Shores resident I didn't want to drive around aimlessly trying to find a spot up & down the road. My dad happened to discover this beach about 6 months ago so me & a few friends decided to enjoy Johnson Beach. It was great that we were able to park conveniently roadside or in one of their parking lots which also offer nice huge pavilions with facilities available.  My Family & My friend's family, definitely enjoyed a full day at Johnson Beach enjoying lunch under The pavilion swimming, relaxing, & enjoying a gorgeous sunset. I'm looking foward to making more memories here with family & friends like I did on previous visits. I would like to thank the National Park Service in making this a wonderful place for beach enthusiasts, locals & tourists. I even joined Johnson beaches group page & included the link below. Be sure to like them on FB & tell a friend  or join Johnson Beaches FB Group  Johnson Beach:  https://www.facebook.com/Friends-Of-Johnson-Beach-On-Perdido-Key-182497178903802/ (fan page, the group page is listed below the NPS fan page) Gulf island National seashore: https://www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS/ National Park service: https://www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice/   Friends of Johnson Beach https://www.facebook.com/groups/288629638222161/?ref=share read more

Johnson Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

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This is my beach. I live just a short distance from here and it's become my home away from home since last April. Kid friendly and always leave here feeling kissed by God Himself read more

My wife and I visited here for the first time and really liked that it is relatively secluded if you get away from the main entrance area. Parking on the side of the road was not a problem and the day we went, middle of the week, was not crowded at all compared to the public areas in OB and GS. Those areas are way too crowded. Beach was clean and we were able to walk long distances seeing only a few people. If you plan on visiting as a local, it's best to purchase the year pass for $45.00. You will pay for it with just two visits at the regular price. Facilities were clean. We enjoyed this area. The pass will also get you into the Gulf Islands National Seashore in MS. Well worth the money. Even with a little rain it cleared up and it was good. read more

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The best beach all around!! I find many of my favorite shells everytime. I love to grab a chair and watch the sunset. Its nice even at night with the salty air and sound of the waves. Find your favorite spot and relax or grab a blanket with your loved one & count the stars. Perfect place anytime & not crowded read more

During the time of segregation Rosamond Johnson Beach, was the only beach that black folks could swim in the area. Pensacola Beach was for "whites only." The beach was named after an African American war hero killed while trying to save a 3rd man after carrying 2 men to safety during the Korean War. My parents and God parents used to bring me and my brother this beach when we were very little. Right after leaving the Philippines I lived in Pensacola in my preschool days. Crazy enough when I moved to Pensacola to go to college I always went to Pensacola Beach, to me one of the most beautiful beaches in the US. I never went to Johnson's. During a trip here with my son my parents encouraged me to go to Johnson's on a day that wanted to go to the beach, but didn't feel like dealing with Gulf Breeze traffic. So glad I rediscovered Johnson's beach. Not only is it an important part of history, but it's just as beautiful as P'cola beach. It's not as crowded and easy to get to. read more

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Beautiful beach. The entrance fee is a little steep as this is a National Park, but they have nice changing/restrooms. Only downside is the inside showers were removed, but they do have an area to rinse off. read more

Amazing beaches with a good view of the Blue Angels practicing. Check their schedule, it's posted online. You can snorkel, swim, fish....so much for everyone. We will definitely be going back! read more

Awesome Beach and pretty private. They don't harass us with our service dog and the beach is so nice and clean. Great places to walk and explore. read more

Our favorite beach in the area! Not as many tourist as orange beach or Pensacola. Beautiful water and an option to kayak too! read more

Johnson Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

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This section of park is less touristy than the main Pensacola Beach, despite some built up areas and sometimes nasty traffic nearby. It is pretty much all sand and scrub, though supposedly the ruins of a fort sit underwater near the end of the island. The road doesn't take you nearly that far, but it does take you to some pretty pristine beaches. The inland-facing side had more wildlife, and I spotted some hermit crabs that unfortunately were not interested in being filmed. It's worth noting that the park pass works for several Gulf National Seashore locations, so you might as well pay the fee and go around and get your money's worth. This one is a long way from Fort Pickens (over an hour driving, though I suppose if you have a boat or are good at swimming you could make it in minutes), so I would not visit both of them on the same day, but done on different days you're getting a nice experience here. read more

I live here. The beach is nice. Free for military which is a bonus. THEY NEED A SIDEWALK. I run here frequently and have almost been clipped twice by cars. One time on accident, and one time on purpose which was weird. read more

An absolute joy of nature and beauty. Pristine and clean. You feel God's creation all around you. Park staff is very friendly. Well worth the small entry fee! We'll be back!!!! Beach is beautiful with many sea shells. read more

What an awesome day today ..we took a drive down here as it has been so long since we have been here..and what a bonus the blue Angel's were praticing..I tried to get good pics but they are so fast it's tough although if you look really close u can see them and they did fly overhead but couldn't get a picture..it was very crowded along the road in there but the parking lot was fairly empty by the bathrooms..the picnic area with the bbq and tables is closed..this is a paid beach so lots less people that the regular spots down here and in alabama .. I love coming here and cant wait until its cooler and less crowded like when visitors leave . read more

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Great beach in Perdido Key, FL. Johnson's Beach is part of the Gulf Coast National Seashore and requires a pass. You can purchase passes during normal business hours. I have an annual pass that costs $30. You can buy a daily/ weekly passes as well. This beach gets busy on the weekend during the spring and summer months but the beach is so large you can easily spy and occupy your own piece of paradise. Weekdays are usually low volume no matter the time of year. There is an ocean and an intracoastal/ bay side. The bay side is much calmer, if the ocean is angry. If the winds are heavy from the south east and southwest the waters may not be as blue/green or clear die to being located between The Perdido Bay and Pensacola Bay emptying not far away. There is a large picnic area, restrooms and parking area just past the main entrance. The rest of the area is street side parking. read more

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Johnson beach is a peaceful clean and quiet beach. If you park on the road at the furthest parking point and then walk down the beach further you are almost always guaranteed a quiet private space. There are only life guards at the paved parking area so if you choose to swim other areas in Johnson Beach just remember there are no other lifeguards. Hopefully this year they will once again allow camping on the beach in certain sections. What a nice walk on Christmas Eve. Not a person in site. read more

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One of the nicest beaches you will find, the emerald waters, the white quartz sand, along with picnic tables and restrooms. Definitely worth the stop if you are looking for a beautiful beach that is often quiet. It is part of the National Park Service, so you need to pay for parking unless you have a yearly pass, which is worth it if you are going to go to any of the other national park facilities. read more

You never know what you might see at Johnson Beach. Great place to spend the day and just stroll the beach. read more

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The Ranger or Rangers are rude... every time we've tried to go(4 times) I seriously would pass... not worth the condescending attitude...

Not crowded, clean, parking lot close. Large pavilion to eat in, bathrooms close, quiet. Very family friendly. $20 for 7 day pass. Great value read more

Took my family here today after reading the reviews. We recently moved to Pensacola and have only been to the Fort Pickens beaches. Johnson beach was way more family friendly and quiet. We arrived around 1 and left around 3:30. There was plenty of parking and the park also had restrooms and a wash off station. This beach was mostly families with young kids. The beach wasn't crowded at all. This will be our new go to beach. Was very clean and a nice place to relax. read more

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This is my go to beach. It's not too isolated, nice clean beach to relax and enjoy a nice cold one with friends/family. Sand is crystal white and water is beautiful! read more

Johnson Beach - Beaches Near Me - Pensacola, Florida

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This is a gorgeous bit of state park goodness. I held my wedding ceremony at the great pavilion, just inside the park. Every time I have visited, park pass in hand, I have been treated by a myriad of natural wildlife, clean, sugar-whute beaches, and friendly, informative park attendants. I highly recommend this out-of-the-way spot in the Perdido Bay area for any vacationer. It's quieter than the more popular beaches, and very reasonably priced if one wishes to reserve a pavilion for an event. read more

It's the best beach around! The facilities are great, but if you decide to swim where there are no lifeguards then swim at your own risk!

Best beach in the area. No people! You do need a national park pass or pay 20.00 dollars for 7 days. Well worth it. Gulf on one side, bay on the other. read more

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Perfect beach! Sugary sand. Clear blue-green water. Waves you can ride with a noodle. Perfect for families and couples.