This park borders the Gulf of Mexico and was once used by Native Americans as a place for fishing and camping. You can also follow John on Facebook@JohnMarucciOnTheRoad. Some campsites had more privacy than others, and most were pretty close together vs. the average Florida State Park campsite. Save up to 25% on your family travel costs in 2021 by booking an RV through RVshare. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Do senior discounts apply to out of state guest? Or explore Campbell Lake, a coastal dune lake surrounded by ancient coastal dunes and maritime forest. Douthat State Park has a total of 87 single family campsites and some have wonderful views of Douthat Lake. . The free day-use admission is available during normal operating hours, which is typically from 8:00 A.M. to sunset. Theres even a tram that will take you to the beach! Topsail was also considerably more expensive verse other state parks. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has more than 15 miles of trails for viewing a variety of birds both inland and along the shore. Nestled in the pine woods Grayton Beach cabins can accommodate six people and are only minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico and a mile of sugar-white beaches via a secludedaccess path. Come to our visitor center located at the main office in the campground off of Hwy 30A and receive information on the park and local attractions. 7525 W. County Highway 30A Bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals are available. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RVs (45 feet maximum). The coastline here is truly special. We live much closer to the parks you mention, but drive farther to get to Cape San Blas, St. Joeseph Peninsula state park. Sopchoppy FL 32358, Contact the Statewide Information Line: The park offers access to a 1,600-acre preserve where an adventure of wildlife exploration awaits. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. Click here now to SUBSCRIBE to 30A's YouTube channel: \r\rhttp://bit.ly/30Ayoutube\r\rFUN 30A LINKS\r\r30A Home Page: http://bit.ly/30A-com\r\r30A Recycled Shirts + 30A Gear: http://bit.ly/30Agear\r\r30A Real Estate: http://bit.ly/30Arealestate\r\r30A Beach Music: http://bit.ly/30Aradio\r\r30A on Facebook: http://bit.ly/FB-scenic30A\r\r30A on Instagram: http://bit.ly/IG-hey30A\r\r30A on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/30A\r\rAbout 30A: https://www.30A.com/about\r\rClick here to SUBSCRIBE to 30A's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/join30A\r\r#beaches #fun #adventure\r\rThanks for watching Insert Video Title Here Lakes along the beach arent exactly a common sight, but at Grayton Beach State Park, we have not only one lake on our beaches, but three. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. No neon signs or commercialization which I don't think go with camping at all. We'd love to hear about your adventure. Drive: 58 min: 35.3 mi: Eglin Air Force Base De Funiak Spring. The park has an internet connection located on the clubhouse porch across from the park office. Campsitephotos.com is not associated with any of the campgrounds we have listed on our site. Grayton Beach State Park Located on Scenic 30A just east of Grayton Beach. SANTA ROSA BEACH Summer visitors to South Walton County can once again enjoy free day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park through Labor Day . The Park also has 35 cabins and lodges for rent. 357 Main Park Road I will look into Cape San Blas. It receives excellent ratings with rave reviews like "a gorgeous state park," "One of America's nicest beaches" and "a photographer paradise." This massive 1,643 acre heavily forested . Private RV Campgrounds | This year marks the sixth year of free admission for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fourth for Grayton Beach State Park. Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest and largest state parks in Florida. This waives their entrance fees into Floridas state parks. A true Florida native, Chris is right at home as a park ranger at the coastal Grayton Beach. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. THE BEACH! Thank you very much for your service to our country! This year marks the eighth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the sixth for Grayton Beach State Park. Hi Carl, Paddle on the clear emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along 3.2 miles of white sandy beach. They pass through dunes, secluded forests and beautiful coastal lakes teeming with wildlife. Exploring this rare geological phenomenon is a treat. 1.Cabins are in a dedicated gated entrance west of the town of Grayton Beach and just west of the small housing community of Gulf Trace. Planning your next camping trip? These lakes are full of many types of freshwater fish including bass, pan fish, and freshwater catfish. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Grayton Beach State Park. I would think you might get a discount, but you should call them directly to confirm at: 850 267-8330. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. 1:50. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. Do you have pictures of the tent sites as well? We had to leave our vehicle and enter the main building to confirm our reservation and receive our site tag, but it was a simple process. SANTA ROSA BEACH The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) on Sunday suspended a state park day-use admission program in a move that affects Grayton Beach State Park. This State Park offers miles of hiking & bi. Along Campbell Lake Nature Trail, enthusiasts may discover a diverse array of plants and animals covering an area of over 5 miles. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway The plan is to increase parking availability to beachgoers during the busy summer months, as well as, raise awareness of all the eco-tourism activities in South Walton. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. 30A, there is a tram station along with picnic tables and ADA restrooms. All campsites are full hookup. Named for its tall dunes rising above the emerald waters of the gulf like a ship's sail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park offers 3 miles of pristine white quartz beaches just minutes from Destin. An overnight excursion yields its own unique experience with a stay in one of the well outfitted cabins or a more rustic accommodation at one of Graytons cozy campgrounds. In this blog, well review Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Floridas Panhandle on the Emerald Coast. Although boats are not allowed, fishing from the shoreline yields bass, bream, panfish, and catfish. 168 Cypress Walk has 4 parks within 11.3 miles, including Topsail Hill State Preserve, Camp Helen State Park, and Grayton Beach State Park. Each bungalow has a carport, full kitchen, bathroom, living room and utility room. Henderson Beach State Park. I have stayed at the Grayton Beach SP cabins twice and have visited Topsail Hill as a day visitor.never stayed in the cabins but drove by all of them. There is also Wifi available at the park, but we were not able to connect to it from our campsite. Pros and Cons of Topsail Hill The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. I recommend you contact the campground directly about your question: 850 267-8330. Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. Or does site 59 , thats what we have reserved. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent RV camping for visitors to enjoy. We have specific groups for thoseNew to RVing, those interested inour Latest Happenings, and those who want to be reminded of ourBlog Posts. For our final rating, we are giving a 5 out of 5 for Workability as the bandwidth on Verizon was excellent. There's some 1640 acres of natural beauty to discover at Topsail, including quiet white-sand beaches, sun-battered wetlands, sand pine scrub forest, a 2.5-mile nature trail, and three rare coastal dune lakes inland bodies of water located less than 2 miles from the coast, connected to the Gulf via outfall channels that run through the dunes. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill and the fifth for Grayton Beach. Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. There are also TWO coastal dune lakes to enjoy and did we mention? Explore our Morris Lake Nature Trail as it meanders 2.5 miles through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Friendly staff here and a very quiet park. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're reviewing this campground please consider including a Rating with your review. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located near Destin, Niceville and Santa Rosa Beach. The Park features rare coastal white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic wildlife. The state parks in Destin are always packed from what we can tell. . Most of the sites had some privacy, but not near as much as at many other Florida State Parks. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park A pristine beach with miles of white and a rare coastal dune lake are waiting for you! Alternatively, you may use, Embassy Suites by Hilton Destin Miramar Beach, Candlewood Suites Destin-Sandestin Area, an IHG Hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Destin E - Commons Mall Area, an IHG Hotel. Outdoor activities include fishing, swimming, beach-combing, hiking, biking, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, surviving, snorkeling and much more. Coastal dune lakes are a natural phenomenon that can only be found in four countries around the world, and only two states in the U.S. (the other being Oregon). We are considering a weekend camping trip (3 days/2 nights) to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Official Page: Grayton Beach State Park Distance from Destin: 23 miles (37 min) Activities: paddling, bicycling, hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, birding Amenities: picnic pavilion, campfire circles, a boat ramp, campgrounds, and restroom facilities ; Grayton Beach is a beautiful 2,000-acre park with a boat ramp on a lake, biking and hiking trails, ocean swimming, and camping facilities. The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. 100% Recommended +2 Temperature unknown Official website (850) 267-8330 Park hours: Mon to Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm Camping types: Reservable campsites. Construction might occur on any day of the week but not during posted quiet hours. The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. Enjoy fish water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. There are five criteria we look at when rating a campground. Located in our day-use area parking lot off of Hwy. Camping Resources | Blog | Contact | To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Required fields marked *. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. Military Bases Distance; Military Bases Distance; Eglin Air Force Base Eglin. Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Surviving spouses and parents of deceased veterans who fell in combat also receive a free lifetime military pass. Coming from the mountains to beaches, Marney loves the beauty of Florida and especially Grayton Beach State Park. You must be signed in to save park lists. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. Overall, we thought Topsail had outstanding ways to exercise and stay active. Visited Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground lately? The parks namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. There are also many miles of good hiking trails that meander through a variety of terrain. Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. 7525 W. County Highway 30A Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park N 3021.3501 W 8616.6638 Depth: 13-18 Distance from Shore: 715 Bearing: 195 Google Map TURTLE REEF Grayton Beach State Park N30 19.338 W86 9.491 Depth: 12-19 Distance from Shore: 783 Bearing: 200 Google Map GROUPER REEF Inlet Beach N30 16.202 W86 0.352 Depth: 12-21 Distance from Shore: 970 Do out of state seniors get discounts for National or Military or any other?? Your email address will not be published. Print/PDF map. Topsail sits between the resort towns of Destin and Seaside and right at the western start of coastal route 30A. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. So essentially you have a private beach for the cabin visitors only.I think there are about 15 duplex cabins. Including miles of pristine coastline, large sand dunes, nature trails, and excellent fishing, these state parks preserve ecosystems that are home to 13 imperiled species, which include the Choctawhatchee . Riders may conveniently access the newly paved county path along Hwy 30A into the park. The 3.2 mile stretch of secluded beach is excellent for saltwater fishing. The walk to Seaside on the beach is probably 1.5 - 2 miles east passing Gulf Trace, Grayton Beach town, Western Lake gulf outlet, and then the main part of the state park before you get to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 100% 6 Reviews. The campsites at Gregory E More RV Resort Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are all 50 amp (no 30 amp available), and all are full hookup sites. Enjoy a taste of old-fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates. The cabins are basic, back in the woods with no gulf view. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Share. . Harvest Hosts is a special type of membership club for RVers, offering overnight RV camping accommodations at 2,365+ locations across North America! No problem the administrators live by the camping and we could park put the tent up and go to the restaurant 50 meters from the tent. I was told this park was once a Private RV Resort. This is the seventh time the council has covered the cost for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fifth year for Grayton Beach State Park. We did run into mosquitoes at the campsite due to the standing muddy terrain behind our campsite. They kept all the amenities. For more information on Grayton Beach State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/grayton-beach-state-park. Daily rates at Topsail are considerably higher than at other Florida State Parks, at $42 per day before fees. I think I am leaning more toward Topsail now, although they only seem to have 20 tent camping sites. You can click HERE to check out the discounts and rates. It is a separate land parcel than the main state park. Additionally, veterans who have service-related injuries receive a free lifetime military pass. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. In this regard, we didnt see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. Would like to spend a few days on white sugar sand beaches and was seeking some advice for cabin rantal at Topsail Hill State Park and/or Grayton Beach State Park. From looking at Google maps, it appears we could walk the beach from Grayton Beach to visit (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! This jewel of a park is a great place to get away for a weekend or a weeklong vacation. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. There are 33 premium beachfront sites and all can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs (up to 35 feet). Advertise, Copyright 2023 CampsitePhotos.com ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55421673', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin/Ft. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunesand wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge here, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants. Pensacola FL 32507, 146 Box Cut Road Travel 27 miles to U.S. Highway 98. Leigh kept checking for openings and luckily, we were able to find 3-4 day openings at Topsail State Park and Henderson Beach State to piece together for a full week. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along our half-mile stretch of paved road that leads to the beach. If you want to get that far away from restaurants, hotels, that might be appealing to your family. Minden Beach, Minden: See traveller reviews, user photos and best deals for Minden Beach, ranked #2 of 2 Minden specialty lodging, rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. The main drawbacks are the limited privacy at the campsites and the high price. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. The campground buildings, pool, bathhouse facilities, and laundry were well-kept and in good condition. Planning your next camping trip? Bathhouses are heated and cooled. Grayton Beach State Park A nationally ranked nature wonderland with something for everyone Hours 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Fees $5 per vehicle See all fees Location 357 Main Park Road Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459 Get directions Contact Info 850-267-8300 Park Menu Hours & Fees Experiences & Amenities Park Events History The Gregory E. Moore RV Resort campground at Topsail Hill is a converted high-end RV Resort with 156 campsites, all of which have full hookups and can accommodate larger RVs. Henderson Beach State Park. Swim, sun, beachcomb for sea beans and watch shorebirds along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches with the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping on the shore. Enjoy some of the most picturesque areas along North Florida's Gulf Coast. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. Swim in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches. Florida State Parks do have discounts for seniors, veterans and the disabled. There is an ADA restroom near our beach boardwalk at the end of the tram road. Copyright 2021 WJHG. Everything you need to know about camping at Grayton Beach State Park, including when to go and how to book the best campgrounds and campsites. Camco RV Water Tank Filler with Shutoff Valve*, RV Travel News Air Travel is Up, National Park 2021 Final Visitor Numbers, Snowbird Criticism, Manatee Springs State Park Campground Review Florida.