William J. Rish Park Beach is located on the scenic St. Joseph Peninsula near Port Saint Joe, Florida, offering a unique blend of pristine white sugar sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and access to St. Joseph Bay. Spanning over 100 acres, this barrier-free recreation area is distinctively designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive and welcoming beach experience for all. The park provides a tranquil atmosphere ideal for swimming, shelling, snorkeling, and simply enjoying the natural coastal beauty. Visitors can stroll one mile along accessible boardwalks that wind through sea oat-covered dunes, leading to both the gulf side beach and the bayside area, where canoeing and kayaking are popular. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset, inviting guests year-round to appreciate its inviting blue waters and natural surroundings.
What sets William J. Rish Park Beach apart is its strong commitment to accessibility, featuring beach wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and water wheelchairs to enable everyone to explore the beach easily. The adjacent St. Joseph Bay is perfect for calm water activities and wildlife viewing. Service animals are welcome in most areas, adding to the park’s inclusive vibe. This beach is not just about the sand and water but also offers picnic areas, nature trails, and an Olympic-size swimming pool with a wheelchair access ramp. Its family-friendly, peaceful environment coupled with accessible amenities makes it a treasured coastal haven for locals and visitors alike.