Encompassing three footpaths and the sidewalk through the Camp Helen Historic District, this collection of trails shows off the Gulf side of Camp Helen State Park.
Beachgoers make a beeline for the the Inlet Beach Trail to reach the beach. But it also ties to two other trails.
The sunny Inlet Beach TrailBranching off onto an adjoining sand ridge topped with oak hammock, the Oak Canopy Trail immerses in tunnels of shade.
At the base of the bluffs along the edge of Florida’s largest coastal dune lake, the Lake Powell Trail connects to the North Trail extending north of US 98.
The shady Oak Canopy TrailResources
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Overview
Location: Panama City Beach
Trailhead: 30.27418, -85.98951
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.
Hike
Starting at the kiosk at the visitor center end of the parking area, follow the sidewalk under the live oaks along the interpretive trail through the historic district.
Pause at the overlook on the bluff below the lodge. It looks out across Lake Powell from the shade of the tree canopy. You’ll ascend the adjoining staircase or ramp later in the hike.
OverlookBuilt immediately after WWII as a vacation retreat for employees of Avondale Mills, a textile firm, Camp Helen’s log and stone cottages and the lodge remained in use until 1987.
Beyond the last of the cottages, a picnic pavilion tops a bluff with a lake view. Just past it, the Inlet Beach Trail begins.
Historic cottagesWithin sight of the restrooms, a well-worn sand ramp descends the bluff towards the beach, with a junction at the base of the bluff.
Continue straight ahead across the bridge to a causeway dividing Lake Powell. For ease of walking and to minimize erosion, a beach mat covers the footpath.
CausewayThe lake’s open waters extend to the east, while a needlerush marsh busy with birds adjoins on the right.
Ascending beneath scattered pines in the coastal scrub, pass a bench at a curve where bright white sand dunes cast glare on a sunny day.
Looking east across Lake PowellA sheltered bench is firmly in the dune field, hills of sand rising to the west. The beach mat ends on the approach to the next bench, 0.6 mile from the parking area.
The Oak Canopy Trail climbs up the dunes at this trail junction, which is as far as dogs are permitted along the path to the beach.
Sheltered benchNo matter whether you’re interested in the beach, the Lake Powell outfall shouldn’t be missed. Continue past this trail junction through the deep soft sand.
More segments of beach mat are laid across difficult spots. Flagging marks no-go areas where shorebirds such as the least tern nest in tiny swales in the low dunes.
Flagging for shorebird nestingBeyond the next bench, a long stretch of beach mat leads to an overlook. What makes coastal dune lakes unique and rare is how they periodically exchange freshwater and salt.
They empty into the Gulf through an outfall when overfull, and take in saltwater driven inland by storm surges and high winds battering the coast.
Lake Powell outfallAfrica, Australia, and this Florida coastline are the only places in the world coastal dune lakes are found.
Trace the outfall of Lake Powell by following the footpath. The trail hugs close to the edge of the bluff, affording excellent views of the exchange of waters with the Gulf of Mexico.
Bluff above the outfallMaking a sharp turn to climb a dune ridge, the trail ends after 0.9 mile at the firmer sands along the Gulf of Mexico.
Walk up to the outfall if you like. In the opposite direction, the waterfront is very built up right outside the park boundary.
End of the Inlet Beach TrailReturn along the Inlet Beach Trail, following the bluff above Lake Powell and then the well-worn footpath and mats through the dunes.
Reach the “Nature Trail” junction a quarter mile from the beach. Climb the path up the dunes to a terrace with a bench overlooking the beach for one final glimpse along this hike.
Final view of the GulfStarting out in the soft white sands of the coastal dunes, the Oak Canopy Trail curves through the hilly coastal scrub, passing a marsh cradled in one deep swale.
Climbing through the scrub, the footpath doesn’t firm up until a bench beneath the oaks just before a trail junction at 1.3 miles. Turn left.
Bench along the Oak Canopy TrailCanopied by sand live oaks and edged by saw palmetto, this jug-handle loop off the main trail is a delight. Atop a high ridge, it tunnels in a straight line for a long stretch.
The dense forest filters out nearby subdivisions and traffic noise until the trail draws close to US 98 at a bench marking the curve in the loop.
The salt breeze shapes the limbs of sand live oaksOn a narrowing footpath, descend through the oak hammock along a series of gentle curves in deep shade. The path broadens through the thicket of oaks.
Reach the main trail at 1.6 miles. The start of the loop is a little more than a tenth of a mile to the right. Unless you want to backtrack through the dunes and on the causeway, turn left.
Trail junctionThe Oak Canopy Trail quickly emerges on a terrace above a curve in Lake Powell, with a bench overlooking the vista at the base of Camp Helen.
Follow the well-worn path at the base of the bluff along the lake’s marshy edge, an excellent location for birding and wildlife watching.
View across marsh and Lake PowellSeal the loop with the path to the beach at 1.7 miles. Continue along the lakeshore, the broad path curving beneath the bluff as it offers up more views across open waters.
If you stopped at the visitor center, you saw the story of Florida’s own version of the Loch Ness monster, “Eric’s Sea Monster.”
It was spotted and sketched in the late 1950s. Who’s to say what lurks in a coastal dune lake?
Eric’s Sea Monster display at Visitor CenterBeyond an old staircase up the bluff is the lakefront recreation area with a hand launch and outfitter renting kayaks and SUPs.
A long pier stretches into the lake. The staircase and ramp across from the pier lead to the lodge. If you didn’t fully explore the historic district, make the climb.
Launch on Lake PowellOtherwise continue straight ahead on the path along the lakeshore. After a short shaded stretch, meet the North Trail at a shaded bench near the US 98 bridge.
To extend your overall hike up to 4.3 miles, go straight ahead to start the North Trail. Otherwise turn left and ascend the ramp to the parking area, finishing a 1.9 mile circuit.
Camp Helen North Trail Following the edge of Lake Powell for nearly half its distance, the North Trail at Camp Helen State Park offers an up-close look at natural shorelines along Florida's largest coastal dune lake.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 this loop at Camp Helen State Park
Slideshow
See our photos from this hike at Camp Helen State Park
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