grayton beach state park vs topsail hill preserveoceanside bar and grill hilton head menu
Lakes along the beach arent exactly a common sight, but at Grayton Beach State Park, we have not only one lake on our beaches, but three. Thank you for your understanding as we complete this project for our visitors. Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. However, some parts of the paved roads were in disrepair. Anastasia State Park has 139 campsites that are close to the beach and can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Both Grayton and Topsail have gorgeous beaches with a feeling of seclusion and also the closeness of all the amenities and activities that (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Visited Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground lately? Henderson Beach State Park. We will be adding the photos of the tent site, bungalows and cabins by end of week. Anything our community should know before heading out to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? The beach is gorgeous and you have a mile of completely undeveloped beach. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. There are also 18 tent-only campsites (tent loop), as well as 16 bungalows and 16 cabins available to rent. Justclick here to sign upfor any of these lists. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. "This is our fourth summer covering day-use admission to both state parks," says Visit South Walton Director of Communications David Demarest. The Gregory E. Moore RV Resort campground at Topsail Hill is a converted high-end RV Resort with 156 campsites, all of which have full hookups and can accommodate larger RVs. This jewel of a park is a great place to get away for a weekend or a weeklong vacation. Visitors can see red shouldered hawks, Eastern bluebirds, red cardinals and ospreys as well as threatened snowy plovers and piping plovers. Effective Dec. 19: Construction has begun on a new bathhouse. Rent an RV from RVshare, Home | Find everything you need for camping, including hiking supplies, tents, coolers, sleeping bags, cots, survival & first aid, food processing, and more! There are also TWO coastal dune lakes to enjoy and did we mention? There is no need to leave this large state park and its many miles of paved bike trail to get a long run or bike ride in. Deer Lake State Park. With 22 tent campsites, 156 RV sites,16 bungalows and 16cabins, there is an option for everyone! Topsail Hill is named for its dunes, which rise like a ship'ssails over soft sand beaches and the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Sneads FL 32460, 429 State Park Road Hi Max, Along Campbell Lake Nature Trail, enthusiasts may discover a diverse array of plants and animals covering an area of over 5 miles. Florida State Parks do have discounts for seniors, veterans and the disabled. I think I am leaning more toward Topsail now, although they only seem to have 20 tent camping sites. There is also Wifi available at the park, but we were not able to connect to it from our campsite. We are considering a weekend camping trip (3 days/2 nights) to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It is a separate land parcel than the main state park. Unfortunately, this made sitting outside a difficult thing to enjoy and was not common to other campsites, even locally, at the time of year we visited. Planning your next camping trip? Harvest Hosts is a special type of membership club for RVers, offering overnight RV camping accommodations at 2,365+ locations across North America! Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459, 12301 Gulf Beach Highway Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Coming from the mountains to beaches, Marney loves the beauty of Florida and especially Grayton Beach State Park. There's some 1640 acres of natural beauty to discover at Topsail, including quiet white-sand beaches, sun-battered wetlands, sand pine scrub forest, a 2.5-mile nature trail, and three rare coastal dune lakes - inland bodies of water located less than 2 miles from the coast, connected to the . Lake Perris offers a variety of water recreation, including swimming, fishing (shore, pier and boat), boating, sailing, waterskiing, and a special area for scuba diving. From looking at Google maps, it appears we could walk the beach from Grayton Beach to visit (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There is, of course, the world-class white-sand beach to explore, enjoy and frolic in. CampsitePhotos is not associated with any of the parks/campgrounds listed. They pass through dunes, secluded forests and beautiful coastal lakes teeming with wildlife. Click here now to SUBSCRIBE to 30A's YouTube channel: \r\rhttp://bit.ly/30Ayoutube\r\rFUN 30A LINKS\r\r30A Home Page: http://bit.ly/30A-com\r\r30A Recycled Shirts + 30A Gear: http://bit.ly/30Agear\r\r30A Real Estate: http://bit.ly/30Arealestate\r\r30A Beach Music: http://bit.ly/30Aradio\r\r30A on Facebook: http://bit.ly/FB-scenic30A\r\r30A on Instagram: http://bit.ly/IG-hey30A\r\r30A on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/30A\r\rAbout 30A: https://www.30A.com/about\r\rClick here to SUBSCRIBE to 30A's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/join30A\r\r#beaches #fun #adventure\r\rThanks for watching Insert Video Title Here Grayton Beach State Park Located on Scenic 30A just east of Grayton Beach. WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - This summer, visitors will enjoy free day-use admission into Walton County state parks. All rights reserved. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55421673', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin/Ft. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located near Destin, Niceville and Santa Rosa Beach. Or explore Campbell Lake, a coastal dune lake surrounded by ancient coastal dunes and maritime forest. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park sold out? The main drawbacks are the limited privacy at the campsites and the high price. Western Lake offers fishing and paddling, and those who want to explore on foot have 4 miles of trails to traverse through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias arebent and twisted by salt winds. Required fields marked *. Named for its tall dunes rising above the emerald waters of the gulf like a ship's sail, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park offers 3 miles of pristine white quartz beaches just minutes from Destin. We provide the photos and additional info about the campground. You are about 1/4 mile from Gulf Trace so there will be some people there. Camco RV Water Tank Filler with Shutoff Valve*, RV Travel News Air Travel is Up, National Park 2021 Final Visitor Numbers, Snowbird Criticism, Manatee Springs State Park Campground Review Florida. License is required for fresh and saltwater fishing. Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. Most of the sites had some privacy, but not near as much as at many other Florida State Parks. True? Riders may conveniently access the newly paved county path along Hwy 30A into the park. Thank you! This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill and the fifth for Grayton Beach. Hi Robert, Minden Beach, Minden: See traveller reviews, user photos and best deals for Minden Beach, ranked #2 of 2 Minden specialty lodging, rated 5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Sopchoppy FL 32358, Contact the Statewide Information Line: (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: The Park features rare coastal white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic wildlife. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. Enjoy fish water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. Coastal dune lakes are a natural phenomenon that can only be found in four countries around the world, and only two states in the U.S. (the other being Oregon). Drive: 58 min: 35.3 mi: Eglin Air Force Base De Funiak Spring. I will look into Cape San Blas. If you're simply commenting on this campground and would like to submit your comment without a Rating, click the "No Rating" button below. A tram runs hourly from the front of the park to the beach area that anyone staying at the park can use as a convenience to avoid the mile one-way trek. The Gregory E Moore RV Resort has 156 sites with water, 30 or 50 amp electric, cable, sewer, (non-heated) swimming pool, laundry and shuffleboard courts. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. One of the biggest and best is the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located just east of Miramar Beach right off South Walton's Scenic 30A near Dune Allen. This made it very easy to work from and stream content. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Walton County Tourist Development Council will pay the cost of entry for day visitors at Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Directions. The campground has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers ($), a camp store, laundry, horseshoes and shuffleboard courts. Advertise, Copyright 2023 CampsitePhotos.com The campground buildings, pool, bathhouse facilities, and laundry were well-kept and in good condition. Any suggestions as to which is better/nicer/easier to get to beach/cleaner/etc between tent camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail Hill? We have specific groups for thoseNew to RVing, those interested inour Latest Happenings, and those who want to be reminded of ourBlog Posts. We live much closer to the parks you mention, but drive farther to get to Cape San Blas, St. Joeseph Peninsula state park. As a comparison, Grayton Beach State Park, just 10 miles down the road, is only $30 per day with full hookups and access to the same great beaches. Grayton Beach is the ideal place to bring your family and experience "The Real Florida.". This park borders the Gulf of Mexico and was once used by Native Americans as a place for fishing and camping. The cabins are in a neighborhood type setting. Using a Verizon 8800L Mifi, we had speeds of 92.5 Mbps down and 7.8 Mbps up. Pool, coffee shop, live bands on Mondays, lots of trails, bike trails, full hookups, wi-fi (at the coffee shop), alligators :}, trash bins, Laundry, bathrooms, showers, and on and on. The walk to Seaside on the beach is probably 1.5 - 2 miles east passing Gulf Trace, Grayton Beach town, Western Lake gulf outlet, and then the main part of the state park before you get to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? They share one thing in common passion for parks. Swim in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches. Campsites 17, 19, 25, 26 and 27 may be affected by construction noise. SANTA ROSA BEACH Summer visitors to South Walton County can once again enjoy free day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park through Labor Day. The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. Big rigs welcome. Drive: 61 min: 36.5 mi: Naval Coastal Systems Center. 1.Cabins are in a dedicated gated entrance west of the town of Grayton Beach and just west of the small housing community of Gulf Trace. There is even shuffleboard and a campground swimming pool to enjoy. This waives their entrance fees into Floridas state parks. The park offers access to a 1,600-acre preserve where an adventure of wildlife exploration awaits. Do you have pictures of the tent sites as well? The river meanders through 58 square miles offering habitat for a variety of wildlife. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunesand wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge here, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants. Gregory E. Moore RV resort features a (non-heated) swimming pool and shuffleboard courts. Take the Family on a Perfect Road Trip! Bald Point offers access to two Apalachee Bay beaches for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. The main roads and campground loop roads were paved and in fair condition, and it was easy to maneuver with the truck and trailer. A true Florida native, Chris is right at home as a park ranger at the coastal Grayton Beach. People travel from all over the country to enjoy the beach at Grayton Beach State Park, which is perfect for laying out in the sun and enjoying the sunshine. We would be tent camping with our 3 year old son. Theres even a tram that will take you to the beach! This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. This would be nice for a family traveling by RV to meet up with friends or family who dont have RVs. He keeps Topsail looking its best while working with a positive attitude. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. A tram running every 2 hours starting at 9 AM will take you to the beach or if you choose you can walk or bike a half-mile along the path to the beach. We have a 20-foot camper and did not have to use any levelers. Thank you so much for your help! There are five criteria we look at when rating a campground. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. 100% 2 Reviews. Bathhouses are heated and cooled. 166 Bayou Edge Lndg has 4 parks within 10.3 miles, including Topsail Hill State Preserve, Camp Helen State Park, and Grayton Beach State Park. All the best in your camping endeavors! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. You can also follow John on Facebook@JohnMarucciOnTheRoad. Travel 27 miles to U.S. Highway 98. This year marks the eighth year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the sixth for Grayton Beach State Park. The plan is to increase parking availability to beachgoers during the busy summer months, as well as, raise awareness of all the eco-tourism activities in South Walton. This year marks the sixth year of free admission for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fourth for Grayton Beach State Park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has a small concession located in the park office for campers and visitors. Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. Walton area in the spring. I can't decide between camping at Grayton Beach or Topsail. Next in our review is Infrastructure & Amenities, which we are giving a 4 out of 5. FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, A nationally ranked nature wonderland with something for everyone, The sun is high in the sky and the Gulf of Mexico's clear emerald green water is calling. Including miles of pristine coastline, large sand dunes, nature trails, and excellent fishing, these state parks preserve ecosystems that are home to 13 imperiled species, which include the Choctawhatchee . The area allows visitors on boats to drive to remote islands and see sites of waterfalls splitting into two lakes. This is the seventh time the council has covered the cost for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fifth year for Grayton Beach State Park. Walton area in the spring. . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-60601035', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Watercolor and Seaside. Try your luck on our excellent fishing spots. The free day-use admission is. Make a Reservation for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Holly Grace Thompson is the recipient of the 2022 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for Greener Initiative. The Park is well maintained, has access to a world-class beach, has excellent opportunities to recreate in various ways, and has outstanding bandwidth for work. All campsites are full hookup. These lakes are full of many types of freshwater fish including bass, pan fish, and freshwater catfish. Additionally, veterans who have service-related injuries receive a free lifetime military pass. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. We'd love to hear about your adventure. Where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge to form Lake Seminole, the setting for this peaceful park. The beaches in the Florida panhandle are beautiful. 1:50. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. Bike, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals are available. For more information on Grayton Beach State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/grayton-beach-state-park. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Leigh kept checking for openings and luckily, we were able to find 3-4 day openings at Topsail State Park and Henderson Beach State to piece together for a full week. I was unable to find if they offer discounts for camping. Located in Santa Rosa Beach 10 miles east of Destin, FL. Construction might occur on any day of the week but not during posted quiet hours. There are 156 sites with full hook-ups, including sewer, electric, cable, and water. Swim, sun, beachcomb for sea beans and watch shorebirds along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches with the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping on the shore. Hi Jim, Daily rates at Topsail are considerably higher than at other Florida State Parks, at $42 per day before fees. Topsail Hill offers 3 miles of pristine beaches and isa bird-watching and hiking paradise. First up, Hospitality and Check-In. Not only do people come to the park to enjoy our world-class shoreline, but many animal and plant species rely on the park for nesting. The coastline here is truly special. Do all sites have 30 and 50 amp? Do senior discounts apply to out of state guest? The premium campsites also have picnic tables and fire rings and are level. Private RV Campgrounds | To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Catch a pompano, red fish, Spanish or king mackerel. The parks namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. Although boats are not allowed, fishing from the shoreline yields bass, bream, panfish, and catfish. Topsail Hill is large in acreage and has a very developed campground that was formerly a private RV park. The deep, brackish waters of the Ochlocknee River make this park an angler's paradise. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. The 3.2 mile stretch of secluded beach is excellent for saltwater fishing. A great advantage is the close proximity to Grayton Beach town and Seaside/Watercolor by bike.bikes are definitely recommended. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. We had to leave our vehicle and enter the main building to confirm our reservation and receive our site tag, but it was a simple process. The site was gravel. Free day-use admission to Walton County state parks, Troopers make interesting find while cleaning highway, Panama City man enters plea deal for fatal Walton Co. crash, Three injured, one dead in Franklin County boating accident, High school students make comfort bags for cancer patients. Alligator Point FL 32346, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Drive: 60 min: Like most Florida State Parks, there is a security gate at the park entrance to enter when the ranger station is closed. Were happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks, saidinterim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. Please remember state law requires riders under the age of 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet. Site Quality gets a 4 out of 5 as the campsites were in good shape, with most sites being large, level and gravel. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. This is the seventh time the council has covered the cost for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fifth year for Grayton Beach State Park. Many of the sites were occupied by large fifth wheels and large (expensive) Class A motorhomes. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is home to towering dunes and unearthly landscapes of sand and water. The cape sites are so much closer to the ocean, no possibility of noise from the highway. just by reception closing. Explore the backwaters of Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake surrounded by the natural areas of the state park. The sites here most resembled Disneys Fort Wilderness compared to any other place weve stayed. I think I was told we can bring our four wheeler as long as it is operated by a licensed rider and we follow the speed limits in the park. Outdoor activities include fishing, swimming, beach-combing, hiking, biking, picnicking, canoeing, kayaking, surviving, snorkeling and much more. This State Park offers miles of hiking & bi. Nestled in the pine woods Grayton Beach cabins can accommodate six people and are only minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico and a mile of sugar-white beaches via a secludedaccess path. The Walton County Tourist Development Council is paying the cost of entry for day-use visitors to increase available parking for beachgoers during the peak visitation season, as well as raise awareness of the variety of eco-tourism activities South Walton offers. We did run into mosquitoes at the campsite due to the standing muddy terrain behind our campsite. Three state parks now retain some these unique lakes - Topsail Hill Preserve state park, Grayton Beach state park, and Deer Lake state park. Camping: Grayton Beach vs. Topsail, Suggestions?? As a comparison, Grayton Beach State Park, just 10 miles down the road, is only $30 per day with full hookups and access to the same great beaches. As always, thanks to our teammates who support the channel by starting their shopping from the On The RoadAmazon Storefront. We loved our stay!!!! The state park gets its name from a towering 25-foot dune that resides within it called Topsail Hill. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-55496398', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Destin provide. Douthat State Park has a total of 87 single family campsites and some have wonderful views of Douthat Lake. Pensacola FL 32507, 146 Box Cut Road 168 Cypress Walk has 4 parks within 11.3 miles, including Topsail Hill State Preserve, Camp Helen State Park, and Grayton Beach State Park. All rights reserved. I would like what kind of discounts I can get at Florida state park I am a army veteran. They share one thing in common passion for parks. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: . Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RV's (45 feet maximum). FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. Firewood, ice and supplies are available at the camp store. Wed love for you tojoin the On The Road Teamby subscribing to the YouTube channel. 100% 6 Reviews. There are more activities such as pool, a small store I believe, and campfire programs. Explore our Morris Lake Nature Trail as it meanders 2.5 miles through ancient dunes and scrub communities. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks.. In this regard, we didnt see Topsail as the best value exchange and would look elsewhere to other better-priced Florida State Parks. 2023 Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures company. 100% 11 Reviews. Lifeguards are not available. The cabins are very isolated with no activities such as pool, ranger talks, etc.. We will DEFINITELY be back!!! This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. The cabins are about a half mile from the beach, but there is a shuttle to ride. The free day-use admission is available during normal operating hours, which is typically from 8:00 A.M. to sunset. At nearly 2,000 acres, Grayton Beach State Park is more than a backdrop for golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings. I was told this park was once a Private RV Resort. The beach is beautiful there. If you want to get that far away from restaurants, hotels, that might be appealing to your family. The campsites at Gregory E More RV Resort Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are all 50 amp (no 30 amp available), and all are full hookup sites. Alternatively, you may use, Florida Panhandle Hotels and Places to Stay, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Quincy I-10, an IHG Hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bonifay, an IHG Hotel, Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, an IHG Hotel, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Midway, FL, Comfort Inn & Suites Midway - Tallahassee West. Everything you need to know about camping at Grayton Beach State Park, including when to go and how to book the best campgrounds and campsites. THE BEACH! Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions. . It receives excellent ratings with rave reviews like "a gorgeous state park," "One of America's nicest beaches" and "a photographer paradise." This massive 1,643 acre heavily forested . Furnished bungalows are available for weekly stays. Did you find us useful? Located in Santa Rosa Beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98. Check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Each bungalow is fully furnished and equipped with all appliances, cable TV, and linens. Your email address will not be published.