Look on google maps. Drive: 61 min: 36.5 mi: Naval Coastal Systems Center. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. 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. 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. Did we forget something? Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is home to towering dunes and unearthly landscapes of sand and water. 168 Cypress Walk, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 - Apartments.com This jewel of a park is a great place to get away for a weekend or a weeklong vacation. 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. Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches, and lakes to view wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. As always, thanks to our teammates who support the channel by starting their shopping from the On The RoadAmazon Storefront. I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. Our Exercisability rating is 5 out of 5 as there are plenty of ways to exercise at the park. Hi Carl, There are five criteria we look at when rating a campground. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park | Gulf Coast, Florida | Attractions 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. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. 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. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55496398', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin provide. Best Camping in and Near Grayton Beach State Park We provide the campsite photos and a little more information about the campground. Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. Visitors can see red shouldered hawks, Eastern bluebirds, red cardinals and ospreys as well as threatened snowy plovers and piping plovers. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is named for the tallest dune in the Preserve. Rent an RV from RVshare, Home | Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Travel 27 miles to U.S. Highway 98. Advertise, Copyright 2023 CampsitePhotos.com Or does site 59 , thats what we have reserved. The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, says interim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. 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. Three state parks now retain some these unique lakes - Topsail Hill Preserve state park, Grayton Beach state park, and Deer Lake state park. 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 ? The small store has basic recreation and camping items for your convenience. 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. This State Park offers miles of hiking & bi. Walton area in the spring. Although boats are not allowed, fishing from the shoreline yields bass, bream, panfish, and catfish. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. All rights reserved. Free day-use admission to Walton County state parks - WJHG Exploring this rare geological phenomenon is a treat. The Florida Parks Service offers both current and retired service members a 25% discount on annual entrance passes to Floridas state parks. CampsitePhotos is not associated with any of the parks/campgrounds listed. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is situated next to Santa Rosa Beach and runs over 1,640 acres. You are about 1/4 mile from Gulf Trace so there will be some people there. Walton County stops free day passes at Grayton Beach, Topsail Hill Effective Dec. 19: Construction has begun on a new bathhouse. Reefs - South Walton Artificial Reef Association 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 . 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. Pros and Cons of Topsail Hill The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. The site was gravel. There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Topsail was our first stop of the two. Free Admission to SoWal State Parks Summer 2020 They pass through dunes, secluded forests and beautiful coastal lakes teeming with wildlife. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Topsail sits between the resort towns of Destin and Seaside and right at the western start of coastal route 30A. The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. We will DEFINITELY be back!!! Did you find us useful? 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. The free day-use admission is available during normal operating hours, which is typically from 8:00 A.M. to sunset. There are also modern cabins to rent and a tent camping area to enjoy. 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. . Grayton Beach State Park | Florida State Parks 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. Harvest Hosts is a special type of membership club for RVers, offering overnight RV camping accommodations at 2,365+ locations across North America! Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RVs (45 feet maximum). Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent RV camping for visitors to enjoy. 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. 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 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. Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: 7525 W. County Highway 30A There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. A true Florida native, Chris is right at home as a park ranger at the coastal Grayton Beach. 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. 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. Drive: 60 min: No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. 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. In this blog, well review Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Floridas Panhandle on the Emerald Coast. In this regard, we didn't see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. 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. I will look into Cape San Blas. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. Explore the backwaters of Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake surrounded by the natural areas of the state park. Your support is greatly appreciated! 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. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. There is also playground equipment near the campsites. Additionally, veterans who have service-related injuries receive a free lifetime military pass. The beaches in the Florida panhandle are beautiful. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60601035', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Watercolor and Seaside. All rights reserved. This waives their entrance fees into Floridas state parks. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. www.floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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 BEACH! WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This summer, visitors will enjoy free day-use admission into Walton County state parks. Both state parks offer. More. 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 Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. All campsites are full hookup. The free day-use admission is available to visitors during normal operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to sunset. Hi Jim, Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. There are 33 premium beachfront sites and all can accommodate tents, trailers or RVs (up to 35 feet). I would like what kind of discounts I can get at Florida state park I am a army veteran. 7525 W. County Highway 30A We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. Like most Florida State Parks, there is a security gate at the park entrance to enter when the ranger station is closed. Daily rates at Topsail are considerably higher than at other Florida State Parks, at $42 per day before fees. They share one thing in common passion for parks. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. Many of the sites were occupied by large fifth wheels and large (expensive) Class A motorhomes. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. True? 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. There are 156 sites with full hook-ups, including sewer, electric, cable, and water. Rocky Bayou State Park. The 3.2 mile stretch of secluded beach is excellent for saltwater fishing. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park A pristine beach with miles of white and a rare coastal dune lake are waiting for you! Copyright 2021 WJHG. Topsail Hill Morris Lake Trail | Map, Guide - Florida | AllTrails Henderson or Grayton State Park? - Destin Forum - Tripadvisor Overall, we thought Topsail had outstanding ways to exercise and stay active. We had to leave our vehicle and enter the main building to confirm our reservation and receive our site tag, but it was a simple process. Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are along Walton County Road 30A, which becomes jammed with visitors during tourist season. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Sopchoppy FL 32358, Contact the Statewide Information Line: The state parks in Destin are always packed from what we can tell. Best Camping in and Near Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Enjoy fish water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. However, some parts of the paved roads were in disrepair. First up, Hospitality and Check-In. Length 3.6 miElevation gain 59 ftRoute type Loop. The deep, brackish waters of the Ochlocknee River make this park an angler's paradise. You must be signed in to save park lists. Grayton Beach is the ideal place to bring your family and experience "The Real Florida.". Some campsites had more privacy than others, and most were pretty close together vs. the average Florida State Park campsite. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. 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. . I think I am leaning more toward Topsail now, although they only seem to have 20 tent camping sites. 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. Our one-bedroom bungalows have additional sleeping of a fold out couch. We have a 20-foot camper and did not have to use any levelers. Soaking in warm gulf breezes while relaxing on pristine Grayton Beach might be the main attraction, but thats only one aspect of this gorgeous park. Some infrastructure did need upkeep. Print/PDF map. We'd love to hear about your adventure. 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. 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. There is, of course, the world-class white-sand beach to explore, enjoy and frolic in. 12301 Gulf Beach Highway 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. 100% 11 Reviews. Turn left and go ? At nearly 2,000 acres, Grayton Beach State Park is more than a backdrop for golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings. Take the Family on a Perfect Road Trip! I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, saidinterim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. Surviving spouses and parents of deceased veterans who fell in combat also receive a free lifetime military pass. Make a Reservation for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Myakka River State Park is one of the oldest and largest state parks in Florida. Devils Fork State Park campground is along the shore of Lake Jocassee. Located in Santa Rosa Beach 10 miles east of Destin, FL. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks. You can also follow John on Facebook@JohnMarucciOnTheRoad. 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. You can read/learn more at the Florida Parks website. One of the biggest and best is the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located just east of Miramar Beach right off South Walton's Scenic 30A near Dune Allen. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RV's (45 feet maximum). Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Campsites 17, 19, 25, 26 and 27 may be affected by construction noise. 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 Grayton Beach State Park Located on Scenic 30A just east of Grayton Beach. They share one thing in common passion for parks. For our final rating, we are giving a 5 out of 5 for Workability as the bandwidth on Verizon was excellent. Helping You Get the Most out of Your RV Travel Experience. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park sold out? Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. 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. 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. This made it very easy to work from and stream content. Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. This park borders the Gulf of Mexico and was once used by Native Americans as a place for fishing and camping. I prefer Grayton but might like to stay at Topsail in the off season when it's not so busy. The Park features rare coastal white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic wildlife. The state park gets its name from a towering 25-foot dune that resides within it called Topsail Hill. The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. Friendly staff here and a very quiet park. Most of the sites had some privacy, but not near as much as at many other Florida State Parks. Campsitephotos.com is not associated with any of the campgrounds we have listed on our site. "This is our fourth summer covering day-use admission to both state parks," says Visit South Walton Director of Communications David Demarest. A great advantage is the close proximity to Grayton Beach town and Seaside/Watercolor by bike.bikes are definitely recommended. This year marks the eighth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the sixth for Grayton Beach State Park. We give this a 4 out of 5 as it was easy to check-in. Hi Max, 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. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. The campground buildings, pool, bathhouse facilities, and laundry were well-kept and in good condition. This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill and the fifth for Grayton 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. About 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. Find everything you need for camping, including hiking supplies, tents, coolers, sleeping bags, cots, survival & first aid, food processing, and more! Other campgrounds in the area include Grayton Beach State Park, Henderson Beach State Park and alsoRocky Bayou State Park. The premium campsites also have picnic tables and fire rings and are level. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: In this regard, privacy is limited. The walk to the beach is about 200-300 yards. This would be nice for a family traveling by RV to meet up with friends or family who dont have RVs. With 22 tent campsites, 156 RV sites,16 bungalows and 16cabins, there is an option for everyone! 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. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Get to know this 3.6-mile loop trail near Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. 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. I recommend you contact the campground directly about your question: 850 267-8330. There are also many miles of good hiking trails that meander through a variety of terrain. The cape sites are so much closer to the ocean, no possibility of noise from the highway. The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park - Florida - John Marucci Do you have pictures of the tent sites as well? Topsail Hill and Grayton Beach state parks again free til Memorial Day Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park | Florida State Parks Walton County | Florida Department of Environmental Protection The coastline here is truly special. Visited Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground lately? Where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge to form Lake Seminole, the setting for this peaceful park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground Florida - Campsite Photos Along Campbell Lake Nature Trail, enthusiasts may discover a diverse array of plants and animals covering an area of over 5 miles. Take Interstate 10 to Exit 85 (Defuniak Springs) and follow U.S. Highway 331 south. 357 Main Park Road Bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals are available. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. Located in Santa Rosa Beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98. All rights reserved | Site Map | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. 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 Douthat State Park has a total of 87 single family campsites and some have wonderful views of Douthat Lake. There is even shuffleboard and a campground swimming pool to enjoy. The cabins are very isolated with no activities such as pool, ranger talks, etc.. 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. Another state park that has a campground is Topsail Hill, located between Henderson and Grayton. Paddle on the clear emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along 3.2 miles of white sandy beach. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. The parks namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. Thank you very much for your service to our country! Henderson Beach State Park. just by reception closing. Explore our Morris Lake Nature Trail as it meanders 2.5 miles through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Any suggestions as to which is better/nicer/easier to get to beach/cleaner/etc between tent camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail Hill? Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. Sneads FL 32460, 429 State Park Road
grayton beach state park vs topsail hill preserve