Using an iPhone 13 Pro, we had speeds of 44.9 Mbps down and 6.3 Mbps up. The hiking and biking opportunities abound at this beautiful park. Explore the backwaters of Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake surrounded by the natural areas of the state park. Find everything you need for camping, including hiking supplies, tents, coolers, sleeping bags, cots, survival & first aid, food processing, and more! Bathhouses are heated and cooled. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park A pristine beach with miles of white and a rare coastal dune lake are waiting for you! Paddle on the clear emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along 3.2 miles of white sandy beach. 7525 W. County Highway 30A Campsitephotos.com is not associated with any of the campgrounds we have listed on our site. I prefer Grayton but might like to stay at Topsail in the off season when it's not so busy. Topsail sits between the resort towns of Destin and Seaside and right at the western start of coastal route 30A. Our Exercisability rating is 5 out of 5 as there are plenty of ways to exercise at the park. Outdoor activities include fishing, swimming, beach-combing, hiking, biking, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, surviving, snorkeling and much more. Thank you so much for your help! 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. Justclick here to sign upfor any of these lists. Explore our Morris Lake Nature Trail as it meanders 2.5 miles through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Devils Fork State Park campground is along the shore of Lake Jocassee. Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! 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. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. There are five criteria we look at when rating a campground. Another state park that has a campground is Topsail Hill, located between Henderson and Grayton. Campsites 17, 19, 25, 26 and 27 may be affected by construction noise. 100% 2 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. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. All rights reserved. This park borders the Gulf of Mexico and was once used by Native Americans as a place for fishing and camping. Topsail was also considerably more expensive verse other state parks. Thank you! The free day-use admission is available during normal operating hours, which is typically from 8:00 A.M. to sunset. 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. 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. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. In this regard, we didnt see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. Walton area in the spring. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Henderson Beach State Park. The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of 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. More. Required fields marked *. 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. THE BEACH! Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RVs (45 feet maximum). Effective Dec. 19: Construction has begun on a new bathhouse. This waives their entrance fees into Floridas state parks. We did run into mosquitoes at the campsite due to the standing muddy terrain behind our campsite. The free day-use admission is. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, A nationally ranked nature wonderland with something for everyone, The sun is high in the sky and the Gulf of Mexico's clear emerald green water is calling. . As always, thanks to our teammates who support the channel by starting their shopping from the On The RoadAmazon Storefront. Try your luck on our excellent fishing spots. Bungalows are located within Gregory E. Moore RV campgrounds near the tram stop and are available for weekly or monthly rental. Using a Verizon 8800L Mifi, we had speeds of 92.5 Mbps down and 7.8 Mbps up. The state park gets its name from a towering 25-foot dune that resides within it called Topsail Hill. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Holly Grace Thompson is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Greener Initiative. Unfortunately, this made sitting outside a difficult thing to enjoy and was not common to other campsites, even locally, at the time of year we visited. Pensacola FL 32507, 7908 Three Rivers Park Road They kept all the amenities. Enjoy a taste of old-fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates. There is a nice restroom and foot shower near the tram stop at the beach area. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. First up, Hospitality and Check-In. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. 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. Your support is greatly appreciated! Camping: Grayton Beach vs. Topsail, Suggestions?? You are about 1/4 mile from Gulf Trace so there will be some people there. I would like what kind of discounts I can get at Florida state park I am a army veteran. 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 All rights reserved. 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 park offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. The area allows visitors on boats to drive to remote islands and see sites of waterfalls splitting into two lakes. 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. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. We will DEFINITELY be back!!! From looking at Google maps, it appears we could walk the beach from Grayton Beach to visit (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Topsail Hill Preserve State Park sold out? Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: 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. 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. Grayton Beach State Park Located on Scenic 30A just east of Grayton Beach. Do senior discounts apply to out of state guest? This year marks the eighth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the sixth for Grayton Beach State Park. 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. Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60604961', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Watercolor and Seaside. It is a separate land parcel than the main state park. Additionally, veterans who have service-related injuries receive a free lifetime military pass. Do out of state seniors get discounts for National or Military or any other?? This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This summer, visitors will enjoy free day-use admission into Walton County state parks. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches, and lakes to view wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Anything our community should know before heading out to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? There is even shuffleboard and a campground swimming pool to enjoy. There are 33 premium beachfront sites and all can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs (up to 35 feet). Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway We will be adding the photos of the tent site, bungalows and cabins by end of week. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55421673', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin/Ft. The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. The park offers access to a 1,600-acre preserve where an adventure of wildlife exploration awaits. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. 12301 Gulf Beach Highway Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. A true Florida native, Chris is right at home as a park ranger at the coastal Grayton Beach. This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill and the fifth for Grayton Beach. Three state parks now retain some these unique lakes - Topsail Hill Preserve state park, Grayton Beach state park, and Deer Lake state park. If you want to get that far away from restaurants, hotels, that might be appealing to your family. Drive: 58 min: 35.3 mi: Eglin Air Force Base De Funiak Spring. We had site 3 in loop 100. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. So essentially you have a private beach for the cabin visitors only.I think there are about 15 duplex cabins. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks, said Cutshaw. 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. You can also follow John on Facebook@JohnMarucciOnTheRoad. At nearly 2,000 acres, Grayton Beach State Park is more than a backdrop for golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings. Some campsites had more privacy than others, and most were pretty close together vs. the average Florida State Park campsite. Camping Resources | Blog | Contact | He keeps Topsail looking its best while working with a positive attitude. Length 3.6 miElevation gain 59 ftRoute type Loop. 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. For our final rating, we are giving a 5 out of 5 for Workability as the bandwidth on Verizon was excellent. 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. We provide the photos and additional info about the campground. 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. The state parks in Destin are always packed from what we can tell. There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 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. Florida State Parks do have discounts for seniors, veterans and the disabled. Both state parks offer. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. Coming from the mountains to beaches, Marney loves the beauty of Florida and especially Grayton Beach State Park. 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 ? Your email address will not be published. The cabins are in the same area as a large campground so it is much busier, and the same area as the day visitors. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. Most of the sites had some privacy, but not near as much as at many other Florida State Parks. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Walton County Tourist Development Council will pay the cost of entry for day visitors at Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Take Interstate 10 to Exit 85 (Defuniak Springs) and follow U.S. Highway 331 south. Like most Florida State Parks, there is a security gate at the park entrance to enter when the ranger station is closed. Overall, we thought Topsail had outstanding ways to exercise and stay active. 1:50. The premium campsites also have picnic tables and fire rings and are level. Daily rates at Topsail are considerably higher than at other Florida State Parks, at $42 per day before fees. Visited Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground lately? The beaches in the Florida panhandle are beautiful. Grayton Beach is the ideal place to bring your family and experience "The Real Florida.". Bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals are available. About Read our Privacy Policy. There are over 10 miles of trails at Topsail Hill Preserve. . Gulf Coast. There is an ADA restroom near our beach boardwalk at the end of the tram road. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Rent an RV from RVshare, Home | Enjoy a picnic under our picnic pavilions located at the end of Topsail Road and near the beach boardwalk. We provide the campsite photos and a little more information about 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. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has a small concession located in the park office for campers and visitors. Rocky Bayou State Park. Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Pros and Cons of Topsail Hill The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. Next in our review is Infrastructure & Amenities, which we are giving a 4 out of 5. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. License is required for fresh and saltwater fishing. Where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge to form Lake Seminole, the setting for this peaceful park. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. just by reception closing. 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. do you honor the senior pass for national parks and if so how much discount ? Theres even a tram that will take you to the beach! Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Wed love for you tojoin the On The Road Teamby subscribing to the YouTube channel. The river meanders through 58 square miles offering habitat for a variety of wildlife. Henderson Beach State Park. The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. Did you find us useful? Get an alert when a campsite becomes available at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park! Located in Santa Rosa Beach 10 miles east of Destin, FL. You must be signed in to save park lists. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. There are also TWO coastal dune lakes to enjoy and did we mention? There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. 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. Firewood, ice and supplies are available at the camp store. The coastline here is truly special. Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along our half-mile stretch of paved road that leads to the beach. For more information on Grayton Beach State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/grayton-beach-state-park. The Florida Parks Service offers both current and retired service members a 25% discount on annual entrance passes to Floridas state parks. Please remember state law requires riders under the age of 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet. I was told this park was once a Private RV Resort. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, saidinterim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. 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. The free day-use admission is available to visitors during normal operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to sunset. 100% Recommended +2 Temperature unknown Official website (850) 267-8330 Park hours: Mon to Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm Camping types: Reservable campsites. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. 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. All the best in your camping endeavors! Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent RV camping for visitors to enjoy. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. This year marks the sixth year of free admission for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fourth for Grayton Beach State Park. The main roads and campground loop roads were paved and in fair condition, and it was easy to maneuver with the truck and trailer. 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. Lifeguards are not available. Sneads FL 32460, 429 State Park Road Make a Reservation for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. I will look into Cape San Blas. Walton area in the spring. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. Topsail Hill offers 3 miles of pristine beaches and isa bird-watching and hiking paradise. The cape sites are so much closer to the ocean, no possibility of noise from the highway. 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. The cabins are very isolated with no activities such as pool, ranger talks, etc.. Friendly staff here and a very quiet park. There is also Wifi available at the park, but we were not able to connect to it from our campsite. Print/PDF map. Drive: 61 min: 36.5 mi: Naval Coastal Systems Center. The cabins are basic, back in the woods with no gulf view. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Drive: 74 min: 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. Each bungalow is fully furnished and equipped with all appliances, cable TV, and linens. When viewed from the Gulf the tallest dune resembles a ship?s Topsail. Planning your next camping trip? They share one thing in common passion for parks. Copyright 2021 WJHG. 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. Or explore Campbell Lake, a coastal dune lake surrounded by ancient coastal dunes and maritime forest. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks. 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. I was unable to find if they offer discounts for camping. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks.. Turn left and go ? Western Lake offers fishing and paddling, and those who want to explore on foot have 4 miles of trails to traverse through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias arebent and twisted by salt winds. There are an adequate number of restaurants in Grayton Beach and along Highway 30A so you will have enough restaurants to choose from. Grayton Beach State Park. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55496398', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin provide. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has more than 15 miles of trails for viewing a variety of birds both inland and along the shore. 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. We live much closer to the parks you mention, but drive farther to get to Cape San Blas, St. Joeseph Peninsula state park. 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 ? 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. Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are along Walton County Road 30A, which becomes jammed with visitors during tourist season. Public Campgrounds | 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. Located in our day-use area parking lot off of Hwy. For more information on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/topsail-hill-preserve-state-park. Hi Robert, 168 Cypress Walk has 4 parks within 11.3 miles, including Topsail Hill State Preserve, Camp Helen State Park, and Grayton Beach State Park. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. 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. We have a 20-foot camper and did not have to use any levelers. The main drawbacks are the limited privacy at the campsites and the high price. Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest and largest state parks in Florida. Alternatively, you may use, Florida Panhandle Hotels and Places to Stay, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Quincy I-10, an IHG Hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bonifay, an IHG Hotel, Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, an IHG Hotel, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Midway, FL, Comfort Inn & Suites Midway - Tallahassee West.