Florida Hikes

Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

Sand path along lakeshore with tall pines

Coastal Dune Lakes

Found in South Walton County, coastal dune lakes are rare globally. These freshwater lakes adjoin the Gulf of Mexico and exchange their waters with the sea when water levels grow high enough for an outfall to occur.

Camp Helen North Trail

Panama City Beach   2.4 miles

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.

Camp Helen South Trails

Panama City Beach   1.9 miles

Explore the bluffs and shoreline of Lake Powell on this trio of nature trails that tie to the interpretive loop around the historic lodge and cottages at 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.

Deer Lake State Park

South Walton   3.0 miles

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

South Walton   1.2 miles

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.

Grayton Beach Nature Trails

South Walton   1.0 miles

A duo of interpretive trails explores windswept habitats sandwiched between Western Lake, a coastal dune lake on the South Walton coast, and the Gulf of Mexico.

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 30A Trail

Santa Rosa Beach   1.4 miles

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.

Timpoochee Trail

South Walton   18.4 miles

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 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.