Destin
With varied terrain and tremendous diversity, Destin provides hikers of all skill levels a perfect backdrop for exercise and adventure. Experience the natural beauty of this town as you ramble its nature trails and parks.
- Henderson Beach Nature Trail – Showcasing a ridge of dunes in Destin, the nature trail at Henderson Beach State Park leads you through bright sands amid lush forest surroundings.
- Henderson Beach State Park – The sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the tall dunes are part of what gives Henderson Beach State Park such an iconic reputation. Whether you prefer to spend the day bird watching along the trails or camp along the water from the official campsite, the experience at this park is second to none.
Miramar Beach
A gulf front community in Walton County, Miramar Beach has a string of natural lands protecting some of the world’s rarest lakes, the Coastal Dune Lakes. They are freshwater bodies that flush out to the sea sporadically. There are also large bays throughout this coast, providing even more shoreline for hiking.
- Topsail Hill Preserve Hiking Trails – This hiking trail system protects more than 3 miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. There are over 15 miles of hiking available.
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park – The park protects rare freshwater coastal dune lakes, including Campbell Lake and Morris Lake, in an area otherwise filled with gulf front development.
Scenic 30A
Best known for its beaches, bike paths, and barrier island parks, scenic highway 30A is also a launch point for backpacking and long day hikes.
- Eden Gardens State Park – At Eden Gardens State Park, lush, cultivated gardens surround the historic Wesley House, a restored antebellum plantation home built by timber baron William Henry Wesley in 1897.
- Tucker Bayou Trail – Located in Eden Gardens State Park, the Tucker Bayou Trail starts and ends at the Tucker Bayou picnic area and leads you through dense forests above the bayou.
- 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.
- Grayton Beach Nature Trails – At Grayton Beach State Park, the nature trail system introduces you to a coastal dune lake and its surrounding habitats, as well as showcasing the beauty of the beach.
- Grayton Beach State Park – Grayton Beach State Park protects one in a chain of rare coastal dune lakes with freshwater mere yards from the Gulf of Mexico. Nature trails introduce you to the rugged barrier island dunes and the pine flatwoods around the lake.
*All information provided is deemed correct but subject to change
Photo Credit: Sowal.com
