The coast of Walton County is home to rare coastal dune lakes, an ecosystem that only exists in Florida and in Australia and Africa, and you’ll find one of them at Deer Lake State Park.
Resources
Our resources for exploring the area
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: Seagrove Beach
Trailhead: 30.302900, -86.074800
Address: 6350 E CR 30A, Seagrove Beach
Fees: $3 per vehicle in dropbox
Manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-267-8300
Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome but not on beaches.
Directions
Along CR 30A west of Seacrest and east of Seagrove Beach.
About the Park
As the freshwater coastal dune lakes become too full, they naturally spill over and flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
At that time seawater seeps back into the lakes, creating a unique, biodiverse ecosystem.
Deer Lake State Park preserves one of the 17 coastal dune lakes of Florida, with dune crossovers amid sweeping views of tall sand dunes to a stretch of white sand beach.
A simple 0.3 mile (each way) dune crossover boardwalk from the parking area to the beach gives you a sweeping view of Deer Lake and its outflows to the Gulf of Mexico.
Walk west on the beach for a half mile to explore the outflow areas. A nature trail explores the upland areas.
On the north side of 30A, the wet flatwoods are home to pitcher plants, Gulf coast lupine, and other rare wildflowers.
Trail Map
Explore More!
Slideshow
See our photos of Deer Lake State Park
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
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
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
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.
Eastern Lake Trail
A chain of three stacked loops that enable you to walk or ride up to 10.9 miles, the Eastern Lake Trail offers an immersion in Point Washington State Forest for hikers and cyclists