Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring South Walton
The region known as South Walton stretches along the Gulf Coast from Rosemary Beach to Santa Rosa Beach, flanked by Destin to the west and Panama City Beach to the east.
It also encompasses the oceanfront communities of Alys Beach, Seacrest, Seagrove Beach, Seaside, Grayton Beach, and Blue Mountain Beach along scenic 30A.
South Walton is the home of Florida’s coastal dune lakes, a rare ecosystem only found in this region in the United States, and only one of three regions worldwide where this coastal phenomenon occurs.
These freshwater lakes perch close enough to the Gulf of Mexico to exchange waters with the Gulf whenever they are at capacity or when tides are high.
Trails and Parks in South Walton
Deer Lake State Park Home to one of the less-visible coastal dune lakes along the South Walton coast, Deer Lake State Park provides the opportunity to see both ends of this coastal dune lake.
Deer Lake Trail Exploring one tiny corner of habitats preserved north of CR 30A, the Deer Lake Trail loops through sand pine scrub and offers views of the upper end of Deer Lake. 
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.
Eden Gardens State Park Edging a windswept bayou off Choctawhatchee Bay, lush cultivated gardens surround the historic Wesley House, an elegant home built by timber baron William Henry Wesley in 1897. 
Eden Gardens Tucker Bayou Trail Starting on the edge of Tucker Bayou, an easy-to-follow nature trail tunnels into dense uplands habitats with striking autumn leaves.
Grayton Beach Flatwoods Trails The quieter side of Grayton Beach State Park is the perfect place for a walk in the woods to the north shore of Western Lake.
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.
Longleaf Greenway Trail Immerse in scenic pine forests and basin swamps that drain into unique coastal dune lakes on the aptly named 7.9 mile Longleaf Greenway Trail at Point Washington State Forest.
Point Washington 30A Trail A pleasant connector to Eastern Lake within Point Washington State Forest, the 30A Trail leads through scrub and basin swamps to lakeside camping and the Eastern Lake Trail.
Point Washington State Forest Protecting the upland watersheds of the Coastal Dune Lakes along the South Walton coastline, Point Washington State Forest offers extensive offroad biking and hiking trails.
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.
Topsail Hill Preserve Hiking Trails Along with views of three miles of protected coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, the extensive hiking trail system at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park delves into dozens of unique biomes around two coastal dune lakes.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park With one of Florida's most beautiful sweeps of beach, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is a linear preserve with tall dunes along three miles of shoreline.Recent Articles
Panhandle Puttering (12/17/2006) Just back from a trip to Destin for a Visit Florida board meeting, between which I availed myself of a couple of quick hikes at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Eden State Gardens.