Topsail Hill Preserve State Park protects a line of rare freshwater coastal dune lakes, including Campbell Lake and Morris Lake, in an area otherwise stripped by heavy oceanfront development.
Resources
Overview
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Address: 7525 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
Fees: $4-6 per vehicle
Restroom: Near main parking area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 850-267-8330
Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome except on beaches. A tram connects the main parking area with the beach.
Directions
The main park entrance is along CR 30A, although much of the park also fronts US 98 just east of Destin.
Details
On a cool evening, when the mists roll in off the Gulf of Mexico, the dunes beyond Campbell Lake at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are shrouded in mystery. Hues of tangerine and lilac fade across the water as the light wanes.
It’s the perfect time to be here, and if you’re camping at one of the state park system’s largest campgrounds, you can slip in and enjoy the show. The Gregory E. Moore RV Resort at Topsail Hill has a swimming pool and shuffleboard courts, plus bungalows for rent. A tram carries campers out to the beach.
The real joy of this preserve, however, is its wild spaces. A network of more than 10 miles of hiking trails showcase the natural wonders of Campbell Lake and Morris Lake, coastal dune lakes which overflow into the sea when overfull.
Explore More
Topsail Hill Preserve Hiking Trails
Protecting more than 3 miles of oceanfront on the Gulf of Mexico, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has an extensive day hiking trails system with over 15 miles of hiking.