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As though choreographed through the gentle rise and fall of the sun and moon, the ever-changing seasons continue to awaken and nurture the wildlife of Walton County. Here, loggerhead sea turtles, bald eagles and
many other species call these environmentally protected areas home. From the pristine unspoiled beaches and towering coastal dunes, to endangered scrublands and subtropical plants, the area invites visitors to enjoy the great natural wonders hidden throughout Walton County. Families have an opportunity to learn and explore miles of lush natural habitat while kayaking on coastal dune lakes or camping among the
wildlife in one of the many state parks. For adventure-seekers searching for the road less traveled, the area’s vast network of trails provides miles upon miles of adventure whether you’re heading out on foot or on bicycle.
Natural Wonders
More than 40 percent of the destination is preserved through state parks, creating a variety of diverse ecological communities, including beach dunes, mesic flatwoods, scrub, depression marshes and coastal dune lakes. The area’s 17 coastal dune lakes are so rare that they are only found in Beaches of South Walton and remote portions of Africa and Australia. The Choctawhatchee Bay shares a direct connection with the Gulf of Mexico, which allows the bay to maintain varying levels of salinity creating a great biodiversity of wildlife species. These waterways have the highest occurrences of rare wildlife species in the state, some of which are found no where else in the world.
Waterways
The Gulf of Mexico blankets miles of rich, diamond white sands. Here, visitors can bask in the warmth of sun and sand or explore the shores in search of loggerhead sea turtles and the occasional sea shell hidden in the fine quartz sand. To the north of the pristine beaches, lies the Choctawhatchee Bay. Formed with the waters from several creeks and rivers, including the Choctawhatchee River, the bay shares a direct connection with the Gulf of Mexico. This connection allows the bay to maintain varying levels of salinity creating a great biodiversity of wildlife species. These unique waterways in Walton County have the highest occurrences of rare wildlife species in the state, some of which are found no where else in the world. Running through Walton County is the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. This distinctive, 3,000-mile waterway, passes through the county and the Choctawhatchee Bay providing sheltered passage for commercial and leisure boats. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway is connected by many miles of navigable waterways along the Gulf of Mexico from Brownsville, Texas to Carrabelle, Florida.
Coastal Dune Lakes
Ever-changing on waves of green and blue, are some of the most unique and rare of nature’s wonders, the coastal dune lakes of Walton County. Found extensively along the Gulf Coast, these lakes were formed between two and ten thousand years ago. Coastal winds and flowing tides have kept these water havens safe. They are separated from the gulf with expansive dune systems ranging from ten feet to a majestic 30 feet in height. However, throughout the year, many of these lakes often create meandering passages of water that find a way to the gulf. This unusual phenomenon allows salt water and fresh water to continually exchange and flush out the lakes creating some of the most distinct ecosystems in the world. Because of the changing nature of the water, these lakes are often known to be biologically diverse with many different marine species and are a vital source of fresh water to migrating birds and other beach organisms.
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