At the showy outfall of Lake Powell, Inlet Beach draws most visitors to Camp Helen State Park. But it’s the upper portion of this coastal dune lake that the North Trail explores.
It’s expanded significantly since our first visit soon after the North Trail opened. Then, the accessible surfaces, including waterfront boardwalks, were a delight to discover.
The boardwalk along the North Trail is more than a decade oldOnce ending a half mile in at a ditch, the North Trail now bridges it to reach a natural surface loop within a Choctawhatchee sand pine scrub.
A third of the loop is devoted to a walk along Lake Powell’s shoreline, a truly scenic immersion along Florida’s largest coastal dune lake.
Wild shorelines on Lake PowellResources
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Overview
Location: Panama City Beach
Trailhead: 30.27509, -85.98935
Address: 23937 Panama City Beach Pkwy (US 98), Panama City Beach
Fees: $4 vehicle, $2 cyclist or pedestrian
Restroom: At the visitor center
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-233-5059
Grounds open 8 AM to sunset. Visitor center closes 4 PM. Leashed dogs permitted. There are two kayak launch points and a paddlesports rental on site.
Directions
Along US 98 due west from Panama City Beach, entrance on the south side of the highway just west of Lake Powell. The North Trail begins at the northeast corner of the parking lot.
Hike
From the visitor center, follow the edge of the parking lot back towards US 98. Several parking spaces adjoin the gate to make it easier on paddlers to roll watercraft to the lake.
Walk around the gate and downhill on a nubby concrete path, the first of several surfaces along the accessible portion of this hike that allow rainfall to disperse gently across it.
Starting point for the North TrailShaded by oak scrub, the path reaches the launch point on a small beach on the lake, adjoining a sheltered bench and junction with the Lake Powell Trail.
The North Trail swings left to go under the twin overpasses of the US 98 bridge over Lake Powell.
Descent to the lake shore and trail junctionFollowing the base of a tall bluff topped with sand pine scrub, pass a sheltered bench and make another 90-degree curve.
Join a broad boardwalk in the forest at the base of the bluff, with outstanding panoramas of the lake and its forested far shoreline.
View from the boardwalkThe boardwalk ends at 0.3 mile and the path becomes nubby concrete again, climbing to the top of the sand ridge in the shade of the sand pine forest.
Reach another sheltered bench. A thicket of scrub oaks make up the understory. Traffic noise intrudes from US 98 as the trail flattens out.
Sand pine scrubGradually descend past a swale to the next sheltered bench, making another 90-degree turn away from the highway.
Curve past a pretty stretch of scrub and crosses a broad bridge over a mosquito control ditch from 1943 cleaving the forest in two.
The ditch where the trail once endedStep beneath the shade of a final pavilion with benches at a half mile. The accessible portion of the North Trail ends here.
A “1.0 Mile Loop” sign points clockwise on a broad natural path. Follow the sandy trail into the Choctawhatchee sand pine scrub.
Start of the North LoopPass a service road before entering a stretch shaded by sand live oaks. Within earshot of US 98, the walkway curves into a more open corridor.
Slash pines and sand pines tower above the dense scrubby understory. Marker 5 points out a thick bed of deer moss.
Sand live oaksSadly, a subdivision was built up to the park boundary fence. Reach it and turn right at 0.8 mile. No buffer was left; houses loom above the trail.
The walk along the park boundary road is a troubling reminder of what’s happened to natural habitats on this coast, underscoring the importance of leaving this part of the state park wild.
Homes intrude on the hikeAt a mile, turn your back on the houses to start the best part of the hike: the walk along Lake Powell. The footpath mirrors the curves of the lakeshore.
At first it only offers glimpses of the lake framed by the dense understory under the pines, the path slipping through the coastal scrub until it reaches the water’s edge
Curving away from the subdivision to the lakeshoreWalk through deep soft sand at the base of a small ridge topped with sand pines. A bench faces Lake Powell.
Pause here to take in what is now a continuous panorama across this coastal dune lake’s waters for more than a quarter mile.
Shoreline of Lake PowellPast Marker 11, pass the other end of the service road and hug this scenic shoreline towards a tall stand of pines.
Turning away from the lake, ascend a straightaway through the scrub to finish the North Loop at the pavilion at 1.9 miles.
Boardwalk exiting the pavilionReturn to the trailhead by retracing your journey along the accessible portion of the trail, enjoying the continuing views of Lake Powell once up and over the ridge.
Reach the parking area after 2.4 miles. You can continue exploring the trail system south of US 98 along the rest of the lake’s western shoreline for up to a 4.3 mile hike.
Camp Helen South Trails Explore the bluffs and shoreline of Lake Powell on this trio of nature trails that tie to the interpretive loop around the historic lodge and cottages at Camp Helen State Park. Trail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Camp Helen State Park
Camp Helen State Park Haunted by a sea monster sighted in one of the largest ancient coastal dune lakes on Florida's coast, Camp Helen State Park offers seaside relaxation and historic interpretation. Video
A walk through the North Trail at Camp Helen State Park
Slideshow
See our photos of the North Trail
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