deer lake state park
Deer Lake State Park is a 1,995-acre facility named after a freshwater coastal dune lake within its boundaries. The trail access to the Gulf of Mexico opens to a magnificent dune field and beach. Deer Lake State Park contains 11 natural communities … including beach dune, mesic Flatwoods, sandhill, scrub, basin swamp, depression marsh, domeswamp, coastal dune lakes, black water stream, estuarine tidal creek and unconsolidated marine substrate. Blackwater streams are lined with spring azaleas. Summer wildflowers are seen around cypress domes throughout the sand hills and long-leaf pine habitat of the park.
Deer Lake Park boasts a diversity of plants and wildlife. Rare plant species include Cruise’s golden aster, Godfrey’s golden aster, Gulf Coast lupine, large-leafed jointweed, oak scrub and spoon flower. Fishing, hiking and swimming are just a few of the activities enjoyed in Deer Lake State Park.
Hours of Operation
8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year.
Admission
Admission to the park is $3.00 per vehicle and $2.00 for pedestrians or bicyclists.
Address
6721 East Scenic 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459
(850) 850-267-8300
Fax: (850) 231-1879
www.floridastateparks.org/deerlake
did you know?
The Choctawhatchee beach mouse is one of the area's precious, endangered species. These small, light-colored mice burrow and excavate nests within the sand dunes amon the sea oats and grasses. The Choctawatchee beach mouse depends largely on the conservation of a healthy dune ecosystem and in return the mice help spread the seeds of sea oats and other grasses, which are critical in holding the dunes in place in the event of a storm.