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
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. 
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.
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. 
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.
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.
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.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.