grayton beach state park vs topsail hill preserve

Paddle on the clear emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along 3.2 miles of white sandy beach. Although boats are not allowed, fishing from the shoreline yields bass, bream, panfish, and catfish. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway Visitors can see red shouldered hawks, Eastern bluebirds, red cardinals and ospreys as well as threatened snowy plovers and piping plovers. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Bungalows are located within Gregory E. Moore RV campgrounds near the tram stop and are available for weekly or monthly rental. Henderson Beach State Park. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. 168 Cypress Walk has 4 parks within 11.3 miles, including Topsail Hill State Preserve, Camp Helen State Park, and Grayton Beach State Park. Construction might occur on any day of the week but not during posted quiet hours. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55496398', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin provide. You can read/learn more at the Florida Parks website. Bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals are available. Some infrastructure did need upkeep. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks.. I would think you might get a discount, but you should call them directly to confirm at: 850 267-8330. "This is our fourth summer covering day-use admission to both state parks," says Visit South Walton Director of Communications David Demarest. Where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge to form Lake Seminole, the setting for this peaceful park. The cabins are in the same area as a large campground so it is much busier, and the same area as the day visitors. A great advantage is the close proximity to Grayton Beach town and Seaside/Watercolor by bike.bikes are definitely recommended. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. just by reception closing. More. mile to the entrance on the right. Make a Reservation for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The cabins are very isolated with no activities such as pool, ranger talks, etc.. The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. 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. Deer Lake State Park. Please remember state law requires riders under the age of 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet. . I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. The campground has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers ($), a camp store, laundry, horseshoes and shuffleboard courts. There is even shuffleboard and a campground swimming pool to enjoy. Both Grayton and Topsail have gorgeous beaches with a feeling of seclusion and also the closeness of all the amenities and activities that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Try your luck on our excellent fishing spots. It is a separate land parcel than the main state park. Lake Perris offers a variety of water recreation, including swimming, fishing (shore, pier and boat), boating, sailing, waterskiing, and a special area for scuba diving. Military Bases Distance; Military Bases Distance; Eglin Air Force Base Eglin. Thank you very much for your service to our country! Grayton Beach State Park Located on Scenic 30A just east of Grayton Beach. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. Not only do people come to the park to enjoy our world-class shoreline, but many animal and plant species rely on the park for nesting. 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 free day-use admission is. This State Park offers miles of hiking & bi. Using a Verizon 8800L Mifi, we had speeds of 92.5 Mbps down and 7.8 Mbps up. Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Grayton Beach is the ideal place to bring your family and experience "The Real Florida.". In this regard, we didn't see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. Pros and Cons of Topsail Hill The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. 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 . We provide the photos and additional info about the campground. 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 Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. I think I was told we can bring our four wheeler as long as it is operated by a licensed rider and we follow the speed limits in the park. Drive: 58 min: 35.3 mi: Eglin Air Force Base De Funiak Spring. Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along our half-mile stretch of paved road that leads to the beach. Justclick here to sign upfor any of these lists. True? Many of the sites were occupied by large fifth wheels and large (expensive) Class A motorhomes. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. The sites here most resembled Disneys Fort Wilderness compared to any other place weve stayed. 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. It is apparent that this campground was once an RV resort, as many of the sites lacked some of the separation that many Florida State Parks enjoy. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park sold out? The Park features rare coastal white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic wildlife. Each bungalow has a carport, full kitchen, bathroom, living room and utility room. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Devils Fork State Park campground is along the shore of Lake Jocassee. A tram running every 2 hours starting at 9 AM will take you to the beach or if you choose you can walk or bike a half-mile along the path to the beach. 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. Thank you for your understanding as we complete this project for our visitors. All the best in your camping endeavors! With 3.2 miles of outstanding white-sand beaches and 10+ miles of trails through various terrain, the 1,640-acre park also has unique in-land coastal dune lakes that afford multiple recreational activities. 7525 W. County Highway 30A This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks, said Cutshaw. The Gregory E Moore RV Resort has 156 sites with water, 30 or 50 amp electric, cable, sewer, (non-heated) swimming pool, laundry and shuffleboard courts. For our final rating, we are giving a 5 out of 5 for Workability as the bandwidth on Verizon was excellent. These lakes are full of many types of freshwater fish including bass, pan fish, and freshwater catfish. We did run into mosquitoes at the campsite due to the standing muddy terrain behind our campsite. Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! The state parks in Destin are always packed from what we can tell. Do you have pictures of the tent sites as well? 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. There is an ADA restroom near our beach boardwalk at the end of the tram road. Take Interstate 10 to Exit 85 (Defuniak Springs) and follow U.S. Highway 331 south. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. A true Florida native, Chris is right at home as a park ranger at the coastal Grayton Beach. For more information on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/topsail-hill-preserve-state-park. Drive: 61 min: 36.5 mi: Naval Coastal Systems Center. 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. Did we forget something? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. There is, of course, the world-class white-sand beach to explore, enjoy and frolic in. Sopchoppy FL 32358, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Planning your next camping trip? Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. You can click HERE to check out the discounts and rates. Theres even a tram that will take you to the beach! The 3.2 mile stretch of secluded beach is excellent for saltwater fishing. 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. We will DEFINITELY be back!!! Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. The Park is well maintained, has access to a world-class beach, has excellent opportunities to recreate in various ways, and has outstanding bandwidth for work. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. They kept all the amenities. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Do all sites have 30 and 50 amp? You are about 1/4 mile from Gulf Trace so there will be some people there. In this regard, privacy is limited. Daily rates at Topsail are considerably higher than at other Florida State Parks, at $42 per day before fees. 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). (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. This made it very easy to work from and stream content. They share one thing in common passion for parks. First up, Hospitality and Check-In. Lifeguards are not available. No neon signs or commercialization which I don't think go with camping at all. Camping: Grayton Beach vs. Topsail, Suggestions?? This jewel of a park is a great place to get away for a weekend or a weeklong vacation. We loved our stay!!!! Helping You Get the Most out of Your RV Travel Experience. Read our Privacy Policy. 100% 2 Reviews. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 12301 Gulf Beach Highway We will be adding the photos of the tent site, bungalows and cabins by end of week. Get everything you need to enjoy your outdoor adventures from bags and packs to air beds and sleeping bags, insect repellant, cooler bags, and 2-burner stoves. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60601035', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Watercolor and Seaside. The area allows visitors on boats to drive to remote islands and see sites of waterfalls splitting into two lakes. Additionally, veterans who have service-related injuries receive a free lifetime military pass. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Located in Santa Rosa Beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98. Topsail Hill is large in acreage and has a very developed campground that was formerly a private RV park. Sneads FL 32460, 429 State Park Road Thank you! Harvest Hosts is a special type of membership club for RVers, offering overnight RV camping accommodations at 2,365+ locations across North America! The free day-use admission is available to visitors during normal operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to sunset. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has a small concession located in the park office for campers and visitors. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, saidinterim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. The parks namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. Most of the sites had some privacy, but not near as much as at many other Florida State Parks. Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are along Walton County Road 30A, which becomes jammed with visitors during tourist season. Your email address will not be published. . Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. A tram runs hourly from the front of the park to the beach area that anyone staying at the park can use as a convenience to avoid the mile one-way trek. Along this trail you can see old remnants of iron tracks can be seen from the first WWII missile development program in the U.S. Hikers can also enjoy miles of abandoned jeep trails within the park. The walk to the beach is about 200-300 yards. I prefer Grayton but might like to stay at Topsail in the off season when it's not so busy. I think I am leaning more toward Topsail now, although they only seem to have 20 tent camping sites. Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Site Quality gets a 4 out of 5 as the campsites were in good shape, with most sites being large, level and gravel. Copyright 2021 WJHG. Pensacola FL 32507, 146 Box Cut Road 9 years ago Save We are considering a weekend camping trip (3 days/2 nights) to the Destin /Ft. Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're reviewing this campground please consider including a Rating with your review. Planning your next camping trip? 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. 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. Hi Bryan, We have a 20-foot camper and did not have to use any levelers. Like most Florida State Parks, there is a security gate at the park entrance to enter when the ranger station is closed. The small store has basic recreation and camping items for your convenience. There is a nice restroom and foot shower near the tram stop at the beach area. 30A, there is a tram station along with picnic tables and ADA restrooms. Hi Max, Did you find us useful? The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. The park has an internet connection located on the clubhouse porch across from the park office. Military Bases Distance; Military Bases Distance; Eglin Air Force Base Eglin. Any suggestions as to which is better/nicer/easier to get to beach/cleaner/etc between tent camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail Hill? When viewed from the Gulf the tallest dune resembles a ship?s Topsail. Holly Grace Thompson is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Greener Initiative. Print/PDF map. There are also modern cabins to rent and a tent camping area to enjoy. 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 . In this blog, well review Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Floridas Panhandle on the Emerald Coast. There are 33 premium beachfront sites and all can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs (up to 35 feet). 100% 6 Reviews. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. We have camped at Ft. Pickens in Pensacola and loved it, but have never been to the Destin area, so thought we would try it. Surviving spouses and parents of deceased veterans who fell in combat also receive a free lifetime military pass. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Find everything you need for camping, including hiking supplies, tents, coolers, sleeping bags, cots, survival & first aid, food processing, and more! Doheny State Beach is located right on the beach in one of the premier Southern California coastal areas. 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. Campsitephotos.com is not associated with any of the campgrounds we have listed on our site. We live much closer to the parks you mention, but drive farther to get to Cape San Blas, St. Joeseph Peninsula state park. At nearly 2,000 acres, Grayton Beach State Park is more than a backdrop for golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings. There is also Wifi available at the park, but we were not able to connect to it from our campsite. Do senior discounts apply to out of state guest? Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RVs (45 feet maximum). So essentially you have a private beach for the cabin visitors only.I think there are about 15 duplex cabins. Next in our review is Infrastructure & Amenities, which we are giving a 4 out of 5. One of the biggest and best is the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located just east of Miramar Beach right off South Walton's Scenic 30A near Dune Allen. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Look on google maps. All rights reserved. Enjoy a taste of old-fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60604961', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Watercolor and Seaside. Big rigs welcome. Effective Dec. 19: Construction has begun on a new bathhouse. The hiking and biking opportunities abound at this beautiful park. Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest and largest state parks in Florida. Florida State Parks do have discounts for seniors, veterans and the disabled. 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 This State Park offers miles of hiking \u0026 biking trails, RV \u0026 tent camping even glamping! 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. Pool, coffee shop, live bands on Mondays, lots of trails, bike trails, full hookups, wi-fi (at the coffee shop), alligators :}, trash bins, Laundry, bathrooms, showers, and on and on. Both state parks offer. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. Pensacola FL 32507, 7908 Three Rivers Park Road Grayton Beach State Park. Outdoor activities include fishing, swimming, beach-combing, hiking, biking, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, surviving, snorkeling and much more. This year marks the sixth year of free admission for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fourth for Grayton Beach State Park. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. Gregory E. Moore RV resort features a (non-heated) swimming pool and shuffleboard courts. The main drawbacks are the limited privacy at the campsites and the high price. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has more than 15 miles of trails for viewing a variety of birds both inland and along the shore. There is also a large laundry room at the campground. 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. This park borders the Gulf of Mexico and was once used by Native Americans as a place for fishing and camping. Explore the backwaters of Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake surrounded by the natural areas of the state park. Furnished bungalows are available for weekly stays. Soaking in warm gulf breezes while relaxing on pristine Grayton Beach might be the main attraction, but thats only one aspect of this gorgeous park. All campsites are full hookup. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Topsail Hill offers 3 miles of pristine beaches and isa bird-watching and hiking paradise. 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 . Some campsites had more privacy than others, and most were pretty close together vs. the average Florida State Park campsite. Each bungalow is fully furnished and equipped with all appliances, cable TV, and linens. There are over 10 miles of trails at Topsail Hill Preserve. Turn left and go ? Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches, and lakes to view wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RV's (45 feet maximum). THE BEACH! "This is an opportunity to help encourage our residents and visitors to explore the natural beauty of our state parks," says Matt Algarin, director of communications for the Walton County Tourism Department. For more information on Grayton Beach State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/grayton-beach-state-park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located near Destin, Niceville and Santa Rosa Beach. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. Directions. There are also TWO coastal dune lakes to enjoy and did we mention? As always, thanks to our teammates who support the channel by starting their shopping from the On The RoadAmazon Storefront. Drive: 74 min: The coastline here is truly special. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. Gulf Coast. Free day-use admission to Walton County state parks, Troopers make interesting find while cleaning highway, Panama City man enters plea deal for fatal Walton Co. crash, Three injured, one dead in Franklin County boating accident, High school students make comfort bags for cancer patients. Riders may conveniently access the newly paved county path along Hwy 30A into the park. As a comparison, Grayton Beach State Park, just 10 miles down the road, is only $30 per day with full hookups and access to the same great beaches. Our one-bedroom bungalows have additional sleeping of a fold out couch. 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. The deep, brackish waters of the Ochlocknee River make this park an angler's paradise. Enjoy a picnic under our picnic pavilions located at the end of Topsail Road and near the beach boardwalk. I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. 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. Hi Robert, This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill and the fifth for Grayton Beach. Box 6600, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, (850) 231-4210 Grayton Beach State Recreation Area's name comes from the neighboring township of Grayton Beach, one of the oldest townships along the Gulf of Mexico in Walton County. The cabins are basic, back in the woods with no gulf view. Coming from the mountains to beaches, Marney loves the beauty of Florida and especially Grayton Beach State Park. There are an adequate number of restaurants in Grayton Beach and along Highway 30A so you will have enough restaurants to choose from. Firewood, ice and supplies are available at the camp store.

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