South Walton State Parks
The Beaches of South Walton’s pristine beaches, coastal lakes, lush vegetation and sandy dunes offer a natural playground for all to enjoy. Thousands of unspoiled acres in South Walton have been designated as state parks ensuring the area’s natural beauty will be protected as well as the outdoor lifestyle it promotes.
Among the most beautiful of these parks is the 15,000-acre Point Washington State Forest. This expansive park boasts more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Its most popular trail, Eastern Lake Hike & Bike Trail, features three trails made up of 3.5-, 5.75- and 10-mile loops.
Nestled away in historic Point Washington is Eden State Gardens. With its landmark white columned mansion built in the 1800s and surrounded by mossy, live oaks and delicately, manicured gardens, the park is often the site for special events and weddings.
To the south of Point Washington and from west to east are Topsail Hill Preserve, Grayton Beach and Deer Lake State Parks. The unique setting of coastal lakes, canopied scrub and towering pines bordering the Gulf beaches provides the perfect landscape for spying wildlife, bird watching, freshwater fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The winding trails at these parks make way to miles of sugary-white beaches and the shimmering waves of the Gulf of Mexico.