William J. Rish Park Beach

Near William J. Rish Park Beach, visitors can find a variety of delightful dining options that capture the local flavors and coastal charm. Joe Mama's Wood Fired Kitchen offers creative wood-fired pizzas and a well-curated wine and beer selection in a casual and cozy setting perfect for groups and solo diners alike. For seafood lovers, Krazyfish Grille is a lively spot serving locally caught fish, tropical drinks, and craft beers on tap, with a welcoming patio atmosphere. Another excellent seafood destination is Uptown Raw Bar & Grill, which serves steamed, raw, and grilled seafood dishes including freshly shucked oysters in a laid-back environment.

For those craving American cuisine in a relaxed cafe setting, Sisters' Bistro offers three meals daily with a cozy atmosphere and kid-friendly menu options. Additionally, Provisions Restaurant & Catering presents a modern take on Southern comfort foods and international flavors in a trendy yet casual space, perfect for lunch or dinner. These restaurants emphasize accessibility, with wheelchair-friendly entrances and seating, ensuring a comfortable dining experience for all visitors.

Close to William J. Rish Park Beach, travelers will find the elegant Hotel Saint Joseph, a boutique hotel that combines luxury with a coastal vibe. This hotel is highly praised for its clean, spacious rooms enhanced with plush bedding and thoughtful amenities like bathrobes and complimentary coffee in the lobby. Guests appreciate the easy check-in process via text, the quiet atmosphere, and the stunning rooftop deck featuring a fire pit and scenic bay views. Located within walking distance to downtown Port Saint Joe, the hotel is also near numerous restaurants, shops, and recreational activities, offering convenience alongside upscale comfort.

The hotel boasts an outdoor pool with bay views and is family-friendly with amenities like a business center and smoke-free environment. Its accessibility features include free parking, ADA-compliant facilities, and kid-friendly services making it perfect for visitors of all ages and needs. Guest reviews emphasize the warm, inviting service and the overall relaxing experience, making Hotel Saint Joseph a top choice for those wanting a stylish stay close to the beach and local attractions.

William J. Rish Park Beach is equipped with a comprehensive range of amenities tailored to enhance the visitor experience while prioritizing accessibility. The park features a boardwalk that stretches approximately one mile, enabling easy access to the sugar sand beach and scenic overlooks of St. Joseph Bay. Beach wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and water wheelchairs are available to allow guests with mobility challenges full enjoyment of the beach environment. Visitors can also take advantage of outdoor shower and rinse stations to freshen up after a day by the water.

The park includes an Olympic-size swimming pool with a wheelchair lift and access ramp, ensuring inclusive recreational opportunities. Changing rooms and restroom facilities are designed to accommodate people with disabilities, with service animals welcomed in nearly all areas. Picnic facilities provide a relaxing spot for family gatherings or casual meals outdoors. Additionally, the park offers event spaces and cabins, contributing to its appeal as a versatile destination for day visits or longer stays.

Popular activities at William J. Rish Park Beach cater to a wide range of interests, particularly focusing on accessible outdoor recreation. Swimming is a favorite pastime both in the Gulf and the Olympic-size pool, which features full accessibility. The calm waters of St. Joseph Bay offer excellent conditions for kayaking and canoeing, with a convenient underground tunnel providing access for launching boats. Visitors also enjoy shelling along the pristine white sands and snorkeling to explore the vibrant marine life inhabiting the bay’s shallows.

For those seeking more leisure pursuits, the park offers nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing, especially during sea turtle nesting season in the summer months. Picnicking and family-friendly games like shuffleboard and mini-golf are available in the recreational areas. The park’s thoughtful design ensures that people with disabilities and their families can fully engage in these activities with ease and comfort, making it a lively yet serene destination for visitors of all abilities.

William J. Rish Park Beach is renowned for being one of the most accessible beaches in Florida, specifically designed to accommodate visitors with disabilities. The park features extensive ADA-compliant boardwalks that lead directly to the one-mile stretch of sugar sand beach, ensuring wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges can enjoy the shoreline safely and comfortably. Specialized equipment such as beach wheelchairs, motorized scooters for boardwalk use, and water wheelchairs enable fuller participation in beach and water activities.

The Olympic-size swimming pool includes a lift chair and access ramp, making swimming accessible for people with varying physical abilities. Facilities such as changing rooms, restrooms, and picnic areas are all wheelchair accessible. Service animals are welcome throughout nearly all parts of the park, even on the pool deck, contributing to a truly inclusive environment. This comprehensive barrier-free design reflects the park’s mission to provide equitable recreational opportunities for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.

Parking at William J. Rish Park Beach is ample and conveniently located to serve the various amenities within the park. The facility offers free parking lots that provide easy access to the boardwalk entrance and other park features. Handicap-accessible parking spaces are abundant and positioned to facilitate quick and safe entry to the beach and recreation areas. In addition to car parking, the park provides bus parking to accommodate larger groups or tours, ensuring smooth arrivals and departures for visitors.

There is no charge for parking itself, but a modest park day-use fee applies per vehicle, with discounted rates for single occupants and pedestrians or bicyclists. Street parking is also available in nearby areas, typically with plenty of space especially outside peak hours. The parking infrastructure supports a seamless visitor experience, combining accessibility, convenience, and affordability close to one of Florida’s most inclusive beach destinations.

William J. Rish Park Beach is named after William “Billy Joe” Rish, a former Florida state representative who was a dedicated advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. This park stands out as a pioneering recreation area designed to provide barrier-free access to both the Gulf of Mexico and St. Joseph Bay, reflecting Rish’s legacy of championing accessibility. Its expansive network of ramps and boardwalks makes it one of the most inclusive beaches in the Florida Panhandle.

The park is home to sea turtle and shorebird nesting sites during the summer months, highlighting its ecological importance as a protected wildlife habitat. The inclusion of an Olympic-sized swimming pool with wheelchair access, as well as specialized beach wheelchairs and boardwalk scooters, underlines the park’s commitment to recreation for all. This blend of environmental stewardship and social inclusion makes William J. Rish Park Beach a distinctive and meaningful destination on Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

Nearby William J. Rish Park Beach, visitors can explore several fascinating attractions that enrich their coastal visit. The iconic Port St. Joe Lighthouse is a short drive away, offering a glimpse into the area's maritime history along with picturesque photo opportunities. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive hiking trails and observation points within the park and surrounding St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, where they can observe diverse wildlife including shorebirds and marine creatures.

Within the park, an underground tunnel provides access to the bayside for launching kayaks and canoes, connecting visitors to the tranquil waters of St. Joseph Bay. Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds and recreational facilities such as shuffleboard courts and mini-golf add variety to the outdoor experience. The area’s shops and quaint downtown streets offer charming shopping and café options that complement the natural beauty and outdoor adventure.