This year marks the eighth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the sixth for Grayton Beach State Park. They kept all the amenities. Many of the sites were occupied by large fifth wheels and large (expensive) Class A motorhomes. Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Our one-bedroom bungalows have additional sleeping of a fold out couch. Walton County stops free day passes at Grayton Beach, Topsail Hill There is also playground equipment near the campsites. Grayton Beach State Park | Florida State Parks Topsail Hill Preserve State Park | Florida State Parks Located in Santa Rosa Beach 10 miles east of Destin, FL. 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. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is named for the tallest dune in the Preserve. 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. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, says interim 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. Enjoy fish water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. Planning your next camping trip? Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Drive: 58 min: 35.3 mi: Eglin Air Force Base De Funiak Spring. The parks namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. Camping: Grayton Beach vs. Topsail, Suggestions?? - Destin Forum Exploring this rare geological phenomenon is a treat. 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. If you want to get that far away from restaurants, hotels, that might be appealing to your family. Topsail was our first stop of the two. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, South Walton, Florida The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. In this regard, we didn't see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. Hi Jim, There is also a large laundry room at the campground. The campground buildings, pool, bathhouse facilities, and laundry were well-kept and in good condition. I would think you might get a discount, but you should call them directly to confirm at: 850 267-8330. Required fields marked *. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches, and lakes to view wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Henderson Beach State Park. . True? No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. 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. Located in Santa Rosa Beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98. People travel from all over the country to enjoy the beach at Grayton Beach State Park, which is perfect for laying out in the sun and enjoying the sunshine. Bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals are available. Facilities include a fishing dock and picnic pavilions. Theres even a tram that will take you to the beach! Doheny State Beach is located right on the beach in one of the premier Southern California coastal areas. 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. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. There are an adequate number of restaurants in Grayton Beach and along Highway 30A so you will have enough restaurants to choose from. 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. Share. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Free day-use admission to Walton County state parks - WJHG When viewed from the Gulf the tallest dune resembles a ship?s Topsail. Free fun! Explore Grayton Beach State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve for 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. 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. There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Look on google maps. 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. 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 ? 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. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park | Gulf Coast, Florida | Attractions This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks.. MINDEN BEACH - Campground Reviews & Photos - Tripadvisor Topsail Hill or Grayton Beach State Park (for cabin rental) There is an ADA restroom near our beach boardwalk at the end of the tram road. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. Riders may conveniently access the newly paved county path along Hwy 30A into the park. Enjoy a picnic under our picnic pavilions located at the end of Topsail Road and near the beach boardwalk. Thank you so much for your help! You can also follow John on Facebook@JohnMarucciOnTheRoad. They pass through dunes, secluded forests and beautiful coastal lakes teeming with wildlife. 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. Walton area in the spring. just by reception closing. Using a Verizon 8800L Mifi, we had speeds of 92.5 Mbps down and 7.8 Mbps up. 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. About Firewood, ice and supplies are available at the camp store. 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 . The main roads and campground loop roads were paved and in fair condition, and it was easy to maneuver with the truck and trailer. Sneads FL 32460, 429 State Park Road We loved our stay!!!! 30A, there is a tram station along with picnic tables and ADA restrooms. I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. For more information on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/topsail-hill-preserve-state-park. "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. We have a 20-foot camper and did not have to use any levelers. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Some infrastructure did need upkeep. 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. Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60601035', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Watercolor and Seaside. 166 Bayou Edge Lndg has 4 parks within 10.3 miles, including Topsail Hill State Preserve, Camp Helen State Park, and Grayton Beach State Park. The Walton County Tourist Development Council is paying the cost of entry for day-use visitors to increase available parking for beachgoers during the peak visitation season, as well as raise awareness of the variety of eco-tourism activities South Walton offers. Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. 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. Catch a pompano, red fish, Spanish or king mackerel. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. Grayton Beach is the ideal place to bring your family and experience "The Real Florida.". The park has an internet connection located on the clubhouse porch across from the park office. 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. Big rigs welcome. 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. WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This summer, visitors will enjoy free day-use admission into Walton County state parks. There are 33 premium beachfront sites and all can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs (up to 35 feet). 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. The park offers access to a 1,600-acre preserve where an adventure of wildlife exploration awaits. Save up to 25% on your family travel costs in 2021 by booking an RV through RVshare. Justclick here to sign upfor any of these lists. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. 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. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 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. . Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Directions. The sites here most resembled Disneys Fort Wilderness compared to any other place weve stayed. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. In this regard, we didnt see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along our half-mile stretch of paved road that leads to the beach. Hi Robert, the place is for calm . 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. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. Anything our community should know before heading out to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? Site Quality gets a 4 out of 5 as the campsites were in good shape, with most sites being large, level and gravel. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. Topsail Hill and Grayton Beach state parks again free til Memorial Day Do out of state seniors get discounts for National or Military or any other?? 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). This State Park offers miles of hiking & bi. Daily rates at Topsail are considerably higher than at other Florida State Parks, at $42 per day before fees. Topsail Hill offers 3 miles of pristine beaches and isa bird-watching and hiking paradise. So essentially you have a private beach for the cabin visitors only.I think there are about 15 duplex cabins. The site was gravel. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has more than 15 miles of trails for viewing a variety of birds both inland and along the shore. 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. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. Next in our review is Infrastructure & Amenities, which we are giving a 4 out of 5. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 357 Main Park Road Another state park that has a campground is Topsail Hill, located between Henderson and Grayton. Copyright 2021 WJHG. Additionally, veterans who have service-related injuries receive a free lifetime military pass. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're reviewing this campground please consider including a Rating with your review. Public Campgrounds | There is also Wifi available at the park, but we were not able to connect to it from our campsite. There are also modern cabins to rent and a tent camping area to enjoy. We did run into mosquitoes at the campsite due to the standing muddy terrain behind our campsite. Walton County | Florida Department of Environmental Protection 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. First up, Hospitality and Check-In. The beaches in the Florida panhandle are beautiful. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Other campgrounds in the area include Grayton Beach State Park, Henderson Beach State Park and alsoRocky Bayou State Park. Rent an RV from RVshare, Home | 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. Construction might occur on any day of the week but not during posted quiet hours. I would like what kind of discounts I can get at Florida state park I am a army veteran. We will DEFINITELY be back!!! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In this blog, well review Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Floridas Panhandle on the Emerald Coast. The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. Explore our Morris Lake Nature Trail as it meanders 2.5 miles through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Gregory E. Moore RV resort features a (non-heated) swimming pool and shuffleboard courts. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Free Admission to SoWal State Parks Summer 2022 Visitors can see red shouldered hawks, Eastern bluebirds, red cardinals and ospreys as well as threatened snowy plovers and piping plovers. I was unable to find if they offer discounts for camping. We have specific groups for thoseNew to RVing, those interested inour Latest Happenings, and those who want to be reminded of ourBlog Posts. There is even shuffleboard and a campground swimming pool to enjoy. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Drive: 61 min: 36.5 mi: Naval Coastal Systems Center. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RV's (45 feet maximum). 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. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55421673', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin/Ft. . Military Bases Distance; Military Bases Distance; Eglin Air Force Base Eglin. Swim in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches. Coming from the mountains to beaches, Marney loves the beauty of Florida and especially Grayton Beach State Park. We provide the photos and additional info about the campground. Using an iPhone 13 Pro, we had speeds of 44.9 Mbps down and 6.3 Mbps up. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Video) | Ocean Reef Resorts 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. 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 These lakes are full of many types of freshwater fish including bass, pan fish, and freshwater catfish. Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Each bungalow has a carport, full kitchen, bathroom, living room and utility room. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. CampsitePhotos is not associated with any of the parks/campgrounds listed. Best Camping in and Near Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Henderson Beach State Park. 1:50. Lifeguards are not available. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground Florida - Campsite Photos ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55496398', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin provide. Where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge to form Lake Seminole, the setting for this peaceful park. Like most Florida State Parks, there is a security gate at the park entrance to enter when the ranger station is closed. As always, thanks to our teammates who support the channel by starting their shopping from the On The RoadAmazon Storefront. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. 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 cabins are very isolated with no activities such as pool, ranger talks, etc.. There is no need to leave this large state park and its many miles of paved bike trail to get a long run or bike ride in. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Sopchoppy FL 32358, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Free Admission to SoWal State Parks Summer 2020 Enjoy a taste of old-fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates. No neon signs or commercialization which I don't think go with camping at all. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park A pristine beach with miles of white and a rare coastal dune lake are waiting for you! Hi Max, THE BEACH! Get an alert when a campsite becomes available at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park! Topsail Hill Morris Lake Trail | Map, Guide - Florida | AllTrails 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. The walk to the beach is about 200-300 yards. This State Park offers miles of hiking \u0026 biking trails, RV \u0026 tent camping even glamping! From looking at Google maps, it appears we could walk the beach from Grayton Beach to visit (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 12301 Gulf Beach Highway The free day-use admission is available during normal operating hours, which is typically from 8:00 A.M. to sunset. Best Camping in and Near Grayton Beach State Park Gulf Coast. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. At nearly 2,000 acres, Grayton Beach State Park is more than a backdrop for golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. I will look into Cape San Blas. 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 Do senior discounts apply to out of state guest? "This is our fourth summer covering day-use admission to both state parks," says Visit South Walton Director of Communications David Demarest. Henderson or Grayton State Park? - Destin Forum - Tripadvisor All rights reserved. Please remember state law requires riders under the age of 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. 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. Your support is greatly appreciated! Nehalem Bay State Park features a large campground with 265 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs, separated from the ocean beach by sand dunes. Pros and Cons of Topsail Hill The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We give this a 4 out of 5 as it was easy to check-in. I think I am leaning more toward Topsail now, although they only seem to have 20 tent camping sites. You can read/learn more at the Florida Parks website.