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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.

Panama City Beach      ( 30.275635,-85.990509 )      

A sketch of “Eric’s Sea Monster” is in the visitor center at Camp Helen State Park, overlooking Powell Lake, one of the largest freshwater coastal dune lakes in the world.

These lakes are rare biological and geological gems, found only on the coasts of Australia and Africa and along this stretch of the Gulf of Mexico between Panama City Beach and Destin.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Florida Trail Hikes book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Panama City Beach
Trailhead: 30.275635,-85.990509
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

Open 8 AM to sunset. Dogs not permitted on beach.


Directions

 
Along US 98 due west from Panama City Beach, entrance on the south side of the highway just west of Lake Powell.

About the Park

A collection of 1930s log-and-stone cottages and a lodge in the Civilian Conservation Corps style sit on a high bluff overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell.

These served as a vacation retreat for employees of the Avondale Textile Mills in Alabama between 1945 and 1987.

Each fall, the Friends of Camp Helen State Park hold a history-and-ghost walk to recapture those spirits of the past.

Beyond the Florida sea monster story, the real secret of Camp Helen State Park is its prime beach access.

The beach is reached by a climb down the bluff and a walk across a breezy causeway to a perfect spot spot for a morning sun and swim.


Hiking

A natural-surface nature trail, the Oak Hammock Trail, loops between the beach causeway to the uplands through a showy oak hammock.

A second nature wheelchair-accessible nature trail called Oak Hammock Trail North starts at the parking area, passes beneath US 98, and follows the shoreline of Lake Powell.

It provides scenic panoramas before winding through a coastal hammock and pine flatwoods.


Biking

Cyclists can use Camp Helen as a (day use) eastern terminus trailhead for the Timpoochee Trail, which starts just to the west across the county line.


Trail Map

Camp Helen State Park Trail Map


Related Articles

Camp Helen State Park

Camp Helen State Park opens new hiking trail

April 4, 2010//  by Sandra Friend


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Camp Helen State Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Covered bridge on bike path

Timpoochee Trail

Showcasing the beauty of the South Walton coastline, the Timpoochee Trail connects coastal communities while leading cyclists past Florida’s renowned Coastal Dune Lakes

Open water with trees in foreground and dunes in distance

Deer Lake State Park

At Deer Lake State Park, the coastal flatwoods ecosystem hosts rare pitcher plants, Gulf Coast lupine and stately magnolias along a coastal dune lake, with beach access along the Gulf of Mexico at Alys Beach.

Grayton Beach Western Lake view

Grayton Beach State Park

Cradled in a cocoon of coastal dunes, Western Lake shimmers in the sun. At Grayton Beach State Park, it’s the focus of both passive and active recreation

Conservation Park

Conservation Park Green Trail

In Panama City Beach off US 98, Conservation Park is a vast pine plantation and cypress dome restoration area with loop trails from 1.8 to 11 miles long.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Beach Hikes, Beaches, Biking, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Nature Trails, Northwest Florida, Parks, PlacesTag: Accessible, Birding, Boating, Camp Helen State Park, Coastal Dune Lakes, Dog-friendly, Easy Hikes, Family-Friendly, Favorites, Florida State Parks, Geology, Gulf of Mexico, Historic Sites, Panama City Beach, Scenic Hikes, South Walton, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing

Have an update? Contact us.

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