Beach Use Permits – Horseback Riding
Special Notices
Riding Restrictions Effective April 15th – Ordinance #2009-6 restricts riding from the northern boundary of the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Research Reserve to the Duval County line from April 15th to September 15th, between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays. This ordinance does not affect other riding beaches (see map), dates, or times of the year.
Anastasia Island – Horseback Riding is prohibited from March 10th, designated 2012 spring break period; until November 1st on Anastasia Island. (Spring break periods change from year to year.)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Cost. Permits are free of charge.
- Clean Up. There are no regulations that require you to clean up horse waste. Please be considerate though, and treat our beaches and parking lots the same way you would your own barn.
- Want to know where to ride? Get our Map of beach access points and riding beaches.
- For more information about horseback riding in St. Johns County, please visit the St. Johns County Horse Council website.
Horseback Riding on County Beaches
St. Johns County offers horseback riding on approximately 30 miles of our 41.1 miles of coastline. The County is responsible for implementing and abiding by a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Incidental Take Permit (ITP) through the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A special permit (follow steps below) is required to ride horses on St. Johns County beaches. Permits are free of charge.
Getting Your Permit
| 6 Steps to Your Beach Horseback Riding Permit | |
| 1. Watch | Watch the Protected Species Training slideshow. Click for Training. |
| 2. Quiz | Complete No Fail Quiz at the end of Training. |
| 3. Choose | Choose your permit level. See Permit Levels. |
| 4. Complete | Complete and sign application. |
| 5. Submit | Email jdupuis@sjcfl.us, Fax (904) 209-0620, drop off, or mail completed application, required credentials, and scores to:
Jade Dupuis |
| 6. Receive Permit | It may take up to two weeks to process your permit. |
| Need Technical Assistance? | Adobe Flash Player is required to view and complete the training. Acrobat Reader is required to view and/or complete the application on your computer. If you have technical difficulty with the training, please email webmast@sjcfl.us so that we may assist you. |
| Click for Online Protected Species Beach Riding Training | |
Horseback Riding Permit Levels
Master Beach Equestrian Guide
- An individual with extensive riding experience on St. Johns County beaches and intends to ride regularly and frequently.
- Must complete Protected Species Training. Must provide no less than three letters of written recommendations from Master Equestrian Beach Guides, or written recommendations by the St. Johns County Horse Council, proof of membership to local riding club (if any), and/or some other proof of extensive riding experience on St. Johns County beaches.
General Beach Equestrian Guide – Class I
- An individual intending to ride on St. Johns County beaches regularly and frequently but experience does not warrant a Master Beach Equestrian Guide Permit.
- Must complete Protected Species Training.
General Beach Equestrian – Class II
- An individual desiring a one-time or infrequent horseback ride on the beach.
- May obtain necessary education and credentials from a Master Beach Equestrian Guide or through online training.
More Information
For more information or to arrange a workshop, please contact Jade Dupuis, (904) 209-0619.
