grayton beach state park vs topsail hill preserve

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 is, of course, the world-class white-sand beach to explore, enjoy and frolic in. Henderson Beach State Park. Firewood, ice and supplies are available at the camp store. Explore the backwaters of Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake surrounded by the natural areas of the state park. Drive: 61 min: 36.5 mi: Naval Coastal Systems Center. Gulf Coast. Make a Reservation for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, says interim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. Effective Dec. 19: Construction has begun on a new bathhouse. 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. Three state parks now retain some these unique lakes - Topsail Hill Preserve state park, Grayton Beach state park, and Deer Lake state park. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. 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. We are considering a weekend camping trip (3 days/2 nights) to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks, said Cutshaw. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. Required fields marked *. The cape sites are so much closer to the ocean, no possibility of noise from the highway. Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Enjoy fish water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. 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. This waives their entrance fees into Floridas state parks. Florida State Parks do have discounts for seniors, veterans and the disabled. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. 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. There is even shuffleboard and a campground swimming pool to enjoy. I would like what kind of discounts I can get at Florida state park I am a army veteran. Harvest Hosts is a special type of membership club for RVers, offering overnight RV camping accommodations at 2,365+ locations across North America! Campsites 17, 19, 25, 26 and 27 may be affected by construction noise. The parks namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. They pass through dunes, secluded forests and beautiful coastal lakes teeming with wildlife. Campsitephotos.com is not associated with any of the campgrounds we have listed on our site. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. All rights reserved. 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. We loved our stay!!!! I will look into Cape San Blas. Located in Santa Rosa Beach 10 miles east of Destin, FL. 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. Outdoor activities include fishing, swimming, beach-combing, hiking, biking, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, surviving, snorkeling and much more. We will be adding the photos of the tent site, bungalows and cabins by end of week. Sneads FL 32460, 429 State Park Road 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. Other campgrounds in the area include Grayton Beach State Park, Henderson Beach State Park and alsoRocky Bayou State Park. Holly Grace Thompson is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Greener Initiative. CampsitePhotos is not associated with any of the parks/campgrounds listed. 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. Deer Lake State Park. The Park features rare coastal white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic wildlife. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Daily rates at Topsail are considerably higher than at other Florida State Parks, at $42 per day before fees. Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. The cabins are basic, back in the woods with no gulf view. 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. Thank you for your understanding as we complete this project for our visitors. Helping You Get the Most out of Your RV Travel Experience. Camping: Grayton Beach vs. Topsail, Suggestions?? Try your luck on our excellent fishing spots. The premium campsites also have picnic tables and fire rings and are level. the place is for calm . He keeps Topsail looking its best while working with a positive attitude. 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. 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. The Park also has 35 cabins and lodges for rent. Another state park that has a campground is Topsail Hill, located between Henderson and Grayton. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're reviewing this campground please consider including a Rating with your review. Next in our review is Infrastructure & Amenities, which we are giving a 4 out of 5. You can also follow John on Facebook@JohnMarucciOnTheRoad. Douthat State Park has a total of 87 single family campsites and some have wonderful views of Douthat Lake. We did run into mosquitoes at the campsite due to the standing muddy terrain behind our campsite. Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: They kept all the amenities. 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 is situated next to Santa Rosa Beach and runs over 1,640 acres. I would think you might get a discount, but you should call them directly to confirm at: 850 267-8330. Your email address will not be published. 357 Main Park Road The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. Catch a pompano, red fish, Spanish or king mackerel. Surviving spouses and parents of deceased veterans who fell in combat also receive a free lifetime military pass. Bathhouses are heated and cooled. We provide the campsite photos and a little more information about the campground. This year marks the sixth year of free admission for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fourth for Grayton Beach State Park. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. There are also TWO coastal dune lakes to enjoy and did we mention? . They share one thing in common passion for parks. 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. Henderson Beach State Park. Your support is greatly appreciated! 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. You can read/learn more at the Florida Parks website. Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. The state parks in Destin are always packed from what we can tell. Or explore Campbell Lake, a coastal dune lake surrounded by ancient coastal dunes and maritime forest. The beach is beautiful there. In this regard, we didn't see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. Theres even a tram that will take you to the beach! Some infrastructure did need upkeep. We have specific groups for thoseNew to RVing, those interested inour Latest Happenings, and those who want to be reminded of ourBlog Posts. 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. . Although boats are not allowed, fishing from the shoreline yields bass, bream, panfish, and catfish. Located in our day-use area parking lot off of Hwy. About I think I am leaning more toward Topsail now, although they only seem to have 20 tent camping sites. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. Facilities include a fishing dock and picnic pavilions. Public Campgrounds | The Florida Parks Service offers both current and retired service members a 25% discount on annual entrance passes to Floridas state parks. I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. Swim in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches. We give this a 4 out of 5 as it was easy to check-in. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. 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. The state park gets its name from a towering 25-foot dune that resides within it called Topsail Hill. All campsites are full hookup. This jewel of a park is a great place to get away for a weekend or a weeklong vacation. Gregory E. Moore RV resort features a (non-heated) swimming pool and shuffleboard courts. Take Interstate 10 to Exit 85 (Defuniak Springs) and follow U.S. Highway 331 south. 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. Located in Santa Rosa Beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98. First up, Hospitality and Check-In. Topsail was our first stop of the two. There are an adequate number of restaurants in Grayton Beach and along Highway 30A so you will have enough restaurants to choose from. Minden Beach, Minden: See traveller reviews, user photos and best deals for Minden Beach, ranked #2 of 2 Minden specialty lodging, rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 7525 W. County Highway 30A I prefer Grayton but might like to stay at Topsail in the off season when it's not so busy. I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. Find everything you need for camping, including hiking supplies, tents, coolers, sleeping bags, cots, survival & first aid, food processing, and more! Length 3.6 miElevation gain 59 ftRoute type Loop. We had site 3 in loop 100. There are 33 premium beachfront sites and all can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs (up to 35 feet). 30A, there is a tram station along with picnic tables and ADA restrooms. just by reception closing. Rent an RV from RVshare, Home | Hi Jim, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is named for the tallest dune in the Preserve. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. mile to the entrance on the right. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, saidinterim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks.. Private RV Campgrounds | No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. This year marks the eighth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the sixth for Grayton Beach State Park. Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. The free day-use admission is available to visitors during normal operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to sunset. Enjoy a taste of old-fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates. Enjoy a picnic under our picnic pavilions located at the end of Topsail Road and near the beach boardwalk. 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. For our final rating, we are giving a 5 out of 5 for Workability as the bandwidth on Verizon was excellent. Lifeguards are not available. Camping Resources | Blog | Contact | "This is our fourth summer covering day-use admission to both state parks," says Visit South Walton Director of Communications David Demarest. A true Florida native, Chris is right at home as a park ranger at the coastal Grayton Beach. The main roads and campground loop roads were paved and in fair condition, and it was easy to maneuver with the truck and trailer. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The beaches in the Florida panhandle are beautiful. Did you find us useful? Wed love for you tojoin the On The Road Teamby subscribing to the YouTube channel. All rights reserved. 100% 11 Reviews. There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. This State Park offers miles of hiking \u0026 biking trails, RV \u0026 tent camping even glamping! More. All rights reserved | Site Map | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. 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 The site was gravel. Thank you very much for your service to our country! 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. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. Each bungalow is fully furnished and equipped with all appliances, cable TV, and linens. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has more than 15 miles of trails for viewing a variety of birds both inland and along the shore. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. Drive: 60 min: Exploring this rare geological phenomenon is a treat. Free day-use admission to Walton County state parks, Troopers make interesting find while cleaning highway, Panama City man enters plea deal for fatal Walton Co. crash, Three injured, one dead in Franklin County boating accident, High school students make comfort bags for cancer patients. You must be signed in to save park lists. Rocky Bayou State Park. . THE BEACH! Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. It is a separate land parcel than the main state park. There are 156 sites with full hook-ups, including sewer, electric, cable, and water. Hi Max, There are also modern cabins to rent and a tent camping area to enjoy. The 3.2 mile stretch of secluded beach is excellent for saltwater fishing. Friendly staff here and a very quiet park. Military Bases Distance; Military Bases Distance; Eglin Air Force Base Eglin. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60601035', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Watercolor and Seaside. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55421673', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin/Ft. Some campsites had more privacy than others, and most were pretty close together vs. the average Florida State Park campsite. 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. Walton area in the spring. Many of the sites were occupied by large fifth wheels and large (expensive) Class A motorhomes. 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. Devils Fork State Park campground is along the shore of Lake Jocassee. The area allows visitors on boats to drive to remote islands and see sites of waterfalls splitting into two lakes. This made it very easy to work from and stream content. Hi Bryan, Hi Robert, If you're simply commenting on this campground and would like to submit your comment without a Rating, click the "No Rating" button below. Justclick here to sign upfor any of these lists. 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 . 7525 W. County Highway 30A Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has a small concession located in the park office for campers and visitors. Travel 27 miles to U.S. Highway 98. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: This park borders the Gulf of Mexico and was once used by Native Americans as a place for fishing and camping. Hi Carl, Pros and Cons of Topsail Hill The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. Grayton Beach State Park A nationally ranked nature wonderland with something for everyone Hours 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Fees $5 per vehicle See all fees Location 357 Main Park Road Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459 Get directions Contact Info 850-267-8300 Park Menu Hours & Fees Experiences & Amenities Park Events History We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. Take the Family on a Perfect Road Trip! The main drawbacks are the limited privacy at the campsites and the high price. In this regard, we didnt see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. Share. 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. There are five criteria we look at when rating a campground. A tram runs hourly from the front of the park to the beach area that anyone staying at the park can use as a convenience to avoid the mile one-way trek. The Park is well maintained, has access to a world-class beach, has excellent opportunities to recreate in various ways, and has outstanding bandwidth for work. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. 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 park offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. 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. The walk to the beach is about 200-300 yards. The sites here most resembled Disneys Fort Wilderness compared to any other place weve stayed. Drive: 74 min: The small store has basic recreation and camping items for your convenience. Nehalem Bay State Park features a large campground with 265 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs, separated from the ocean beach by sand dunes. There are also many miles of good hiking trails that meander through a variety of terrain. We'd love to hear about your adventure. Bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals are available. Advertise, Copyright 2023 CampsitePhotos.com Using a Verizon 8800L Mifi, we had speeds of 92.5 Mbps down and 7.8 Mbps up. Paddle on the clear emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along 3.2 miles of white sandy beach. For more information on Grayton Beach State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/grayton-beach-state-park. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. Look on google maps. Save up to 25% on your family travel costs in 2021 by booking an RV through RVshare. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park sold out? I recommend you contact the campground directly about your question: 850 267-8330. 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. This would be nice for a family traveling by RV to meet up with friends or family who dont have RVs. Do you have pictures of the tent sites as well? Construction might occur on any day of the week but not during posted quiet hours. Copyright 2021 WJHG. Named for its tall dunes rising above the emerald waters of the gulf like a ship's sail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park offers 3 miles of pristine white quartz beaches just minutes from Destin. The deep, brackish waters of the Ochlocknee River make this park an angler's paradise. There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. Doheny State Beach is located right on the beach in one of the premier Southern California coastal areas. The hiking and biking opportunities abound at this beautiful park. 100% Recommended +2 Temperature unknown Official website (850) 267-8330 Park hours: Mon to Sun: 8:00am - 8:00pm Camping types: Reservable campsites. Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along our half-mile stretch of paved road that leads to the beach. We live much closer to the parks you mention, but drive farther to get to Cape San Blas, St. Joeseph Peninsula 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. WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This summer, visitors will enjoy free day-use admission into Walton County state parks. Most of the sites had some privacy, but not near as much as at many other Florida State Parks. I have stayed at the Grayton Beach SP cabins twice and have visited Topsail Hill as a day visitor.never stayed in the cabins but drove by all of them. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Grayton Beach State Park. This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill and the fifth for Grayton Beach. Thank you so much for your help! The free day-use admission is available during normal operating hours, which is typically from 8:00 A.M. to sunset. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RVs (45 feet maximum). Do all sites have 30 and 50 amp? In this blog, well review Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Floridas Panhandle on the Emerald Coast. 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 . Like most Florida State Parks, there is a security gate at the park entrance to enter when the ranger station is closed. 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 ? It receives excellent ratings with rave reviews like "a gorgeous state park," "One of America's nicest beaches" and "a photographer paradise." This massive 1,643 acre heavily forested . Our one-bedroom bungalows have additional sleeping of a fold out couch. Additionally, veterans who have service-related injuries receive a free lifetime military pass.

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grayton beach state park vs topsail hill preserve