The natural beauty of the Emerald Coast’s captures the hearts of visitors and locals alike. Scattered across this area are state parks that have preserved Florida’s natural beauty. Here, you’ll find activities such as camping, hiking, and biking. Explore the unspoiled vegetation of these state parks.  

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
One of the most pristine parks in the area, Topsail Hill features 14 plant communities and sand dunes. This park has 1600 acres of bald cypress swamps and nature trails that wind through dune lakes and sand dunes. Topsail Hill also has over 200 campsite and 3.2 miles of secluded beach.
7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach

Grayton Beach State Park
This park features trails that wind around small ponds and pine flatwoods. The Flatwoods Trail and Western Lake are two of natural trails the park offers. Western Lake is also an ideal spot for paddleboarding and kayaking. This park also features plenty of camping space and a boat ramp. Grayton Beach State Park has been honored as the “Best Beach in the U.S.” by Dr. Stephen Leatherman  and ranked as a top 4 beach in the USA in 2017. 
357 Main Park Road, Grayton Beach

Deer Lake State Park
This park feature southern magnolias, woody goldenrod and scrub oaks, rare varieties of plants like the Gulf Coast lupine and spoonflower pitcher plants, and unspoiled sand dunes. Hike along the 1.5 mile Deer Lake Trail and explore the dune ecosystem. Feel free to relax and fish or sunbathe along the beach.
6719 E. Scenic Highway 30A, WaterSound

Eden Gardens State Park
The staple of this park is the Wesley Mansion, former home to lumber baron William Henry Wesley and his family in the 1800s. Visitors can tour the mansion or stroll through the gardens. This park features moss-draped oaks, camellias, and azaleas. Fun fact about the Wesley Mansion: the drawing room includes the largest collection of Louis XVI Court furniture in any one room in the United States.
181 Eden Gardens Road, Santa Rosa Beach

Point Washington State Forest
This forest includes 27 miles of trails of all difficulty levels through coastal scrub, swamplands, longleaf pine flatwoods, and wet prairie. There are four campsites where visitors can stay the night. This park is also home to many threatened or endangered species such as the gopher tortoise, flatwoods salamander, and white-topped pitcher plants.
US-98, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Henderson Beach State Park
This park features 6,000 feet of natural scenery bordering the Emerald waters. Visitors can enjoy the sand dunes and coastal scrubs that are home to a variety of plants and animals. Henderson provides 60 campsites on the secondary dune system.

17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541

To learn more about the Florida State Parks and forests, and current fees, visit www.floridastateparks.org and www.fl-dof.com.  

Photo Credits: floridastateparks.org

Published on Friday, July 27, 2018