Alpine Groves Park: A Quiet St. Johns River Escape Near RiverTown

Head north on State Road 13 from RiverTown on a weekday morning, and the road starts to feel like old Florida. Big oaks lean over the pavement, glimpses of the St. Johns River flash between the trees, and then a small sign points you toward Alpine Groves Park. A few minutes later you are standing at the end of a long pier, looking across a wide stretch of the St. Johns River, with nothing but water, sky and a pelican or two in front of you.

Where Alpine Groves Park Is

The park sits in Switzerland, in northwest St. Johns County, between the St. Johns River and the William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway, which is State Road 13. St. Johns County lists it as open from dawn to dusk, and there is no admission fee.

If you live in or are considering RiverTown, Fruit Cove, Julington Creek Plantation or the Saint Johns area, it is a short drive. From Ponte Vedra or Nocatee, it makes a nice change of scenery: river views instead of ocean views, and live oaks instead of dunes.

A Little History

The land started out as an orange plantation in the early 1900s, according to the Friends of Alpine Groves Park, which is where the name comes from. Its longtime owners, Ruth Harris Bennett and her husband Wally, sold the property to the Trust for Public Land in 2000. In 2003, the Trust and the county's Parks and Recreation Department secured a grant to buy the property with the understanding that it would stay a passive park for the public to enjoy.

Since then, the county has steadily cared for it. The boardwalk and fishing pier were built in 2009. The historic farmhouse was restored in 2019. In 2022, the bluff and shoreline were stabilized with native plants, work that earned the county a Resiliency Award from the Northeast Florida Regional Council in January 2025.

What You Can Do There

• Walk out on the pier. The fishing pier stretches out over the river and is the park's signature spot for sunrise, quiet reflection or casting a line. Florida fishing license rules apply.
• Take the accessible trail. A paved, accessible trail winds through the grounds, easy for strollers, walkers and anyone who prefers a smooth path.
• Visit the butterfly garden. The Ruth Harris Bennett Butterfly Garden is maintained by the Friends of Alpine Groves Park.
• See the historic buildings. The restored farmhouse and other historic structures give you a sense of what riverfront life looked like here a century ago.
• Have a picnic. There are picnic tables, restrooms and a pavilion you can reserve through the county.
• Stop by the playground. The orange grove themed playground is a fun nod to the park's past.

Events and Tours

The Friends of Alpine Groves Park offer monthly park tours and host community events such as a Winter Festival. If you want to learn more about the history of the farmhouse and the grove, a guided tour is a great way to do it. Check the St. Johns County parks website or the Friends group for current dates.

Tips for Your Visit

• Go early. Morning light over the river is beautiful and the park is at its quietest.
• Bring a light jacket in November. River breezes can feel cooler than you expect.
• Pack bug spray. It is still Florida, even in the fall.
• Check conditions. St. Johns County is the best source for any closures or pier updates before you head out.

Make It Part of a River Day

Alpine Groves Park fits nicely into a slow day along State Road 13. Pair a morning walk on the pier with lunch at one of the local spots in Fruit Cove or the Saint Johns area, then take the scenic highway south toward RiverTown and on toward the river towns beyond. It is a very different side of St. Johns County than the beaches, and many people who visit come away surprised at how peaceful it feels so close to everything.

Why Parks Like This Shape Where People Choose to Live

When buyers compare communities in northwest St. Johns County, they often focus on the amenity center, the pool and the price per square foot. Those matter. But it is places like Alpine Groves Park that end up shaping everyday life: the Saturday walk, the spot you take visiting family, the bench where you watch the river go by.

RiverTown in particular offers newer construction, including a 55+ section, along this same stretch of river. If you are weighing it against the coast, my comparison of Del Webb Nocatee and WaterSong at RiverTown is a good place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Alpine Groves Park?

It is at 2060 State Road 13 in Switzerland, Florida, in northwest St. Johns County, on the St. Johns River along the William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway.

Is Alpine Groves Park free?

Yes. St. Johns County lists the park as free to visit and open from dawn to dusk.

Can you fish at Alpine Groves Park?

Yes. The park has a fishing pier on the St. Johns River. Florida fishing license rules apply.

What is near Alpine Groves Park?

The park is a short drive from RiverTown, Fruit Cove and Julington Creek in northwest St. Johns County.

Browse Homes Near the River

What To Do Right Now

1. Plan a morning visit to Alpine Groves Park and walk the pier.
2. Drive State Road 13 from the park to RiverTown to get a feel for the area.
3. Check the Friends of Alpine Groves Park for the next guided tour.
4. Call or text me at (904) 863-6679 if you want to tour homes along the river.

Cover photo: Boat Dock (Jacksonville, Florida) by PicoOrdinalo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.