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Deer Lake, a coastal dune lake

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 State Park

Camp Helen State Park

Panama City Beach      ( 30.275635,-85.990509 )      

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

Open water with trees in foreground and dunes in distance

South Walton      ( 30.302900, -86.074800 )      

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 Flatwoods Trails

Trail descending to the edge of a lake

Grayton Beach State Park   |  South Walton
( 30.332734, -86.155112 )      5.1 miles

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 Nature Trails

White footpath up and over densely vegetated dune

Grayton Beach State Park   |  South Walton
( 30.324800,-86.153683 )      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

View of lake beyond scrub covered sand ridge

South Walton      ( 30.334009,-86.157986 )      6.1 miles

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.

Timpoochee Trail

Covered bridge on bike path

South Walton      ( 30.3730, -86.2740 )      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

Oceanfront with wave at sunset

South Walton      ( 30.371394,-86.272686 )      

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.

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