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Natural Pleasures Promote Adventure and Learning
Beaches of South Walton offer many opportunities to learn about and enjoy its natural habitats. Many visiting families experience sea-oat covered beach dunes, coastal dune lakes and endangered species such as the Bald Eagle or the Sea Turtle for the first time. Families can choose from 17 freshwater and saltwater lakes to fish, swim or boat; bike, hike, or jog through miles of paved trails; or go off-road over miles of nature trails throughout the area’s five state parks.
 With its three-looped trail for hiking and mountain biking, The Eastern Lake Bike Trail is ideal for families who love to bike together. The state parks are also ideal for
off-road biking.
For a picture-perfect family outing, Eden Gardens State Park and Wesley Mansion is an absolutely beautiful location with landscaped grounds, large oaks draped with Spanish moss and a turn-of-the-century mansion filled with antiques. After touring the mansion, have an old fashioned family picnic overlooking the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay.
Deer Lake State Park
Seacrest
Located within Seacrest off Scenic 30-A, the south side of the park offers 172 acres of pristine beach and lake areas. North of Scenic 30-A, you’ll find over 1,900 acres of hiking trails meandering through unspoiled native vegetation.
Public beach access available.
850-231-4210
Point Washington State Forest
This 15,000-acre forest is home to more than ten miles of trails to challenge bicyclists, hikers and nature lovers, including one of the most popular trail systems in Walton County, the Eastern Lake bike/hike trail. Here visitors may spot an endangered red-cockaded woodpecker or a gopher tortoise, a species of special concern.
850-231-5800
Eden State Gardens
Point Washington
Tucked away in historic Point Washington on the shore of Tucker Bayou is a beautiful turn-of-the-century mansion surrounded by azaleas, camellias and towering Spanish moss-draped live oaks, some dating back more than 600 years. Guided mansion tours are offered Thursday through Monday. Look for Eden State Gardens, tucked back one mile north of US 98 on County Rd. 395. 850-231-4214
Wesley Mansion
The Wesley Mansion, located in the historic Eden State Gardens, was built in the 1890’s and houses the largest collection of original Louis XVI antiques. The Wesley family owned and operated the Point Washington Lumber Mill during Walton County’s thriving lumber period during the turn-of-the-century. The mansion was dedicated to the state for preservation. 850-231-4214
Grayton Beach State Recreation Area
Grayton Beach
Hailed as the “Best Beach in the U.S.,” Grayton features pristine landscapes, camping, self-guided nature trails and picnic areas.
A boat ramp is located on Western Lake. You’ll find this park off Scenic 30-A. Public beach access available.
850-231-4210
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Identified as the most pristine piece of coastal property in the state of Florida, this undeveloped area features 1,600 acres of stunning gulf front pine forests, nature trails over mountainous sand dunes and two freshwater coastal dune lakes. Public beach access available.
850-267-0299
Admission fees may vary for individual parks.
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