He keeps Topsail looking its best while working with a positive attitude. 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. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along our half-mile stretch of paved road that leads to the beach. 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. This jewel of a park is a great place to get away for a weekend or a weeklong vacation. Hi Robert, Pros and Cons of Topsail Hill The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. Construction might occur on any day of the week but not during posted quiet hours. This year marks the sixth year of free admission for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fourth for Grayton Beach State Park. For more information on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/topsail-hill-preserve-state-park. Helping You Get the Most out of Your RV Travel Experience. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. Take the Family on a Perfect Road Trip! Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, saidinterim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. 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. 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. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. Your support is greatly appreciated! Pensacola FL 32507, 146 Box Cut Road The Park also has 35 cabins and lodges for rent. Next in our review is Infrastructure & Amenities, which we are giving a 4 out of 5. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. This park borders the Gulf of Mexico and was once used by Native Americans as a place for fishing and camping. Thank you so much for your help! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. There are 33 premium beachfront sites and all can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs (up to 35 feet). 12301 Gulf Beach Highway 7525 W. County Highway 30A Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. Explore our Morris Lake Nature Trail as it meanders 2.5 miles through ancient dunes and scrub communities. The state park gets its name from a towering 25-foot dune that resides within it called Topsail Hill. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Share. Other campgrounds in the area include Grayton Beach State Park, Henderson Beach State Park and alsoRocky Bayou State Park. The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. We had site 3 in loop 100. Drive: 61 min: 36.5 mi: Naval Coastal Systems Center. 1:50. Advertise, Copyright 2023 CampsitePhotos.com In this regard, we didnt see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. The park has an internet connection located on the clubhouse porch across from the park office. I recommend you contact the campground directly about your question: 850 267-8330. Facilities include a fishing dock and picnic pavilions. Using an iPhone 13 Pro, we had speeds of 44.9 Mbps down and 6.3 Mbps up. Firewood, ice and supplies are available at the camp store. 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. The Park features rare coastal white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic wildlife. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks. I was unable to find if they offer discounts for camping. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. We give this a 4 out of 5 as it was easy to check-in. Military Bases Distance; Military Bases Distance; Eglin Air Force Base Eglin. Sneads FL 32460, 429 State Park Road Do all sites have 30 and 50 amp? The cabins are basic, back in the woods with no gulf view. Hi Carl, 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. Nehalem Bay State Park features a large campground with 265 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs, separated from the ocean beach by sand dunes. 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. 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. Justclick here to sign upfor any of these lists. We have specific groups for thoseNew to RVing, those interested inour Latest Happenings, and those who want to be reminded of ourBlog Posts. 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. The walk to the beach is about 200-300 yards. Explore the backwaters of Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake surrounded by the natural areas of the state park. Big rigs welcome. 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. 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. 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). There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. I would think you might get a discount, but you should call them directly to confirm at: 850 267-8330. We will be adding the photos of the tent site, bungalows and cabins by end of week. Drive: 60 min: 100% 2 Reviews. There is a nice restroom and foot shower near the tram stop at the beach area. You can read/learn more at the Florida Parks website. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is situated next to Santa Rosa Beach and runs over 1,640 acres. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: The area allows visitors on boats to drive to remote islands and see sites of waterfalls splitting into two lakes. There is, of course, the world-class white-sand beach to explore, enjoy and frolic in. Gulf Coast. Military Bases Distance; Military Bases Distance; Eglin Air Force Base Eglin. 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. The campground buildings, pool, bathhouse facilities, and laundry were well-kept and in good condition. Any suggestions as to which is better/nicer/easier to get to beach/cleaner/etc between tent camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail Hill? Thank you very much for your service to our country! Campsites 17, 19, 25, 26 and 27 may be affected by construction noise. There are also modern cabins to rent and a tent camping area to enjoy. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. Enjoy fish water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. Some infrastructure did need upkeep. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. 168 Cypress Walk has 4 parks within 11.3 miles, including Topsail Hill State Preserve, Camp Helen State Park, and Grayton Beach State Park. Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest and largest state parks in Florida. Travel 27 miles to U.S. Highway 98. Did we forget something? 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. Devils Fork State Park campground is along the shore of Lake Jocassee. Topsail Hill Preserve 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. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park A pristine beach with miles of white and a rare coastal dune lake are waiting for you! These lakes are full of many types of freshwater fish including bass, pan fish, and freshwater catfish. The park offers access to a 1,600-acre preserve where an adventure of wildlife exploration awaits. Topsail sits between the resort towns of Destin and Seaside and right at the western start of coastal route 30A. Florida State Parks do have discounts for seniors, veterans and the disabled. 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. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. The sites here most resembled Disneys Fort Wilderness compared to any other place weve stayed. Private RV Campgrounds | . Holly Grace Thompson is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Greener Initiative. Walton area in the spring. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is named for the tallest dune in the Preserve. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. 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. I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. Hi Jim, There is even shuffleboard and a campground swimming pool to enjoy. Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: THE 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. I would like what kind of discounts I can get at Florida state park I am a army veteran. We will DEFINITELY be back!!! Some campsites had more privacy than others, and most were pretty close together vs. the average Florida State Park campsite. All the best in your camping endeavors! We are considering a weekend camping trip (3 days/2 nights) to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. 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. 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. License is required for fresh and saltwater fishing. Paddle on the clear emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along 3.2 miles of white sandy beach. Site Quality gets a 4 out of 5 as the campsites were in good shape, with most sites being large, level and gravel. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55496398', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin provide. Hi Bryan, 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. 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 I prefer Grayton but might like to stay at Topsail in the off season when it's not so busy. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We'd love to hear about your adventure. Length 3.6 miElevation gain 59 ftRoute type Loop. Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. I think I am leaning more toward Topsail now, although they only seem to have 20 tent camping sites. 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. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. When viewed from the Gulf the tallest dune resembles a ship?s Topsail. Overall, we thought Topsail had outstanding ways to exercise and stay active. Topsail Hill is large in acreage and has a very developed campground that was formerly a private RV park. Get an alert when a campsite becomes available at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park! 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. From looking at Google maps, it appears we could walk the beach from Grayton Beach to visit (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. 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. 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. Look on google maps. 7525 W. County Highway 30A With 22 tent campsites, 156 RV sites,16 bungalows and 16cabins, there is an option for everyone! Hours 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Fees $6 per vehicle See all fees Location 7525 W. County Highway 30A Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459 Get directions Contact Info 850-267-8330 Park Menu Hours & Fees Experiences & Amenities Events History Make a Reservation Download Park Map Welcome to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park There is also a large laundry room at the campground. Harvest Hosts is a special type of membership club for RVers, offering overnight RV camping accommodations at 2,365+ locations across North America! WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This summer, visitors will enjoy free day-use admission into Walton County state parks. 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. 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. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Print/PDF map. We provide the campsite photos and a little more information about the campground. 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. "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. 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. 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. The free day-use admission is. 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. 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. 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. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway Douthat State Park has a total of 87 single family campsites and some have wonderful views of Douthat Lake. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. All rights reserved. . Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Henderson Beach State Park. There is also Wifi available at the park, but we were not able to connect to it from our campsite. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. Public Campgrounds | Do out of state seniors get discounts for National or Military or any other?? 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. 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. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks, said Cutshaw. There is also playground equipment near the campsites. Thank you! 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. Please remember state law requires riders under the age of 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet. . Each bungalow has a carport, full kitchen, bathroom, living room and utility room. 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 . There are 156 sites with full hook-ups, including sewer, electric, cable, and water. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Using a Verizon 8800L Mifi, we had speeds of 92.5 Mbps down and 7.8 Mbps up. 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 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. You can also follow John on Facebook@JohnMarucciOnTheRoad. Topsail was our first stop of the two. Anything our community should know before heading out to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? Planning your next camping trip? Planning your next camping trip? 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. 100% 6 Reviews. The deep, brackish waters of the Ochlocknee River make this park an angler's paradise. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Located in our day-use area parking lot off of Hwy. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill and the fifth for Grayton Beach. Theres even a tram that will take you to the beach! 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. 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. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. The state parks in Destin are always packed from what we can tell. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches, and lakes to view wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. The river meanders through 58 square miles offering habitat for a variety of wildlife. Doheny State Beach is located right on the beach in one of the premier Southern California coastal areas. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RVs (45 feet maximum). The cabins are very isolated with no activities such as pool, ranger talks, etc.. Deer Lake State Park. This year marks the eighth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the sixth for Grayton Beach State Park. Rocky Bayou State Park. The cape sites are so much closer to the ocean, no possibility of noise from the highway. the place is for calm . There are also many miles of good hiking trails that meander through a variety of terrain. They kept all the amenities. The Florida Parks Service offers both current and retired service members a 25% discount on annual entrance passes to Floridas state parks. 100% 11 Reviews. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Bathhouses are heated and cooled. Pensacola FL 32507, 7908 Three Rivers Park Road Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Enjoy a picnic under our picnic pavilions located at the end of Topsail Road and near the beach boardwalk. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has a small concession located in the park office for campers and visitors. Drive: 74 min: The parks namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. 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. True? A true Florida native, Chris is right at home as a park ranger at the coastal Grayton Beach. We loved our stay!!!!