William J "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area - State park in Port St Joe - 6773 Cape San Blas Rd, USA

Do you have someone in your life with a disability? Have they longed to experience time AT the beach and in the ocean? If so, William Rish State Park should be your destination. We received a tour of the park today, and were sincerely overwhelmed by the planning, thought, and consideration that was given to making this park accessible to all. The park is open 365 days a year from 8am to sunset. Entry fee is $6 per vehicle (for 2-8 people).

Small state park that is 100% wheelchair accessible. You can also walk (or roll!) from the gulf side beach to the bay side with a convenient pedestrian tunnel under the road. There is a small fee for access ($2-$8).

Very tranquil wonderful pool large almost olympic-sized perfect for swimming laps. 4 ft deep throughout with a wheelchair ramp for handicapped. Right on the ocean wonderful. Great changing facilities. Covered picnic area. Completely accessible.

My review is base strictly on multi-night stay in Aug of 2023 in a family cabin. You can't use the pool from 1 hour before sunset until sunrise which is the best time for my special needs daughter to swim during the hot summer. They lock the boardwalk access to the beach at sunset. We had our own beach wheelchairs yet couldn't even go for a walk on the beach after dark. The family cabins are 1/8 mile walk from the pool and beach access. You will need a drink and snack after transporting everything you need to take care of a special needs person... or two...to the fun stuff area. Fortunately the family cabins are very open with incredibly large bathrooms and showers and well designed for wheelchair users. The shower curtains are open at the bottom by 30" or so. You will soak the floor with each shower. Take extra towels. There were NO LAUNDRY FACILITIES. Special needs people sometimes make lots and lots of dirty laundry. Overall the cabins are comfy but still missing a few very necessary details. They have shaded areas around the pool but none over the pool itself. If you or your special needs loved one needs to use the restroom while at the pool or beach you will have to go all the way out into the parking lot but since the Restrooms have AC its not so bad. Overall, the park is great but you can only use it during daylight hours. Don't get a cabin in the heart of the summer thinking you can go out into and use the park facilities in the evening when it is a little cooler. Extended cabin stays will net you lots of steps on your fit bit and quite a bit of dirty laundry. The room's AC works well and the beds are comfy so naps come easy. We won't come back in the heart of the summer. Maybe fall or early spring next time. Maybe 2 or 3 nights next time instead of 7.

Beautiful beaches, with the best stay options for a unique weekend gateway to relax, enjoy pure nature, water views, and sun. Isolated from yhe crowds

This is a wonderful State Park with facilities families with at least one member who is disabled. They have access to the Gulf of Mexico and Port StJoe Bay. They have motorized wheel chairs and wheel chairs that can go into the water. There are two cabins. They have an Olympic swimming pool with chair lift and a covered picnic area.

Absolutely magnificent! Electric wheelchair allowed out daughter to be in charge of her own beach activities! Staff was incredibly nice and informative. Our new favorite place!!

Absolutely gorgeous, Victor the manager is great! The family cabins are not fancy but comfortable and well appointed. A lot boardwalk to the beautiful white beach, cross the road to boardwalk to bay. A lot of improvements going on.