Florida's Grayton Beach State Park #30A

If I was making a list of the most beautiful things on the planet, somewhere between my kids and pizza would be the state parks of Florida's South Walton County. The coastal dunes, the mix of freshwater and saltwater, the forests and hiking trails, it is just the perfect combination of different environments. A little bit of everything, as long as you aren't looking for mountains I suppose.

There isn't a single state park which, if it were a painting, wouldn't belong in The Louvre. Still, the over 2,000 sqft Grayton Beach State Park is practically in a league of its own. Grayton Beach being paradise isn't just my opinion, it's certified fact as its white sands and emerald waters are regularly ranked as one of the world's top beaches. Grayton Beach State Parks has wooed visitors the world over, and with its adventurous hiking trails, extensive dunes, plentiful and varied wildlife, that's no surprise. It is true you can find the aforementioned bliss at nearly all of the SoWal state parks, but Grayton Beach State Park is also the home of Western Lake, a coastal dune lake along Country Road 30A which spans 100-acres.

This lake spans between 30A communities Grayton Beach and WaterColor. With a plethora of marsh and connected wetlands, this coastal lake is so large that small motorboats are allowed on its water. The park offers a boat ramp as well as kayak and canoe rentals. Another ramp to the lake can be found outside of the park in Grayton Beach itself, just down the road from Hotz Avenue's famous Red Bar.

For those who enjoy a good hike or bike ride, Grayton Beach's coastal forests are there for you. This state park provides over four miles of trails through the pines, scrub oaks and magnolias. While Florida is known for its sunny beaches, one tour of these woods will completely replace your previous preconceptions of our great state. Nearby, Walton County offers a ten mile walking and biking path, so if you're planning on a camping trip to Grayton Beach State Park, feel free to venture outside the park itself. Better beaches than the west coast, better hiking and biking than the west coast, NWFL certainly has it all.

Are you the camping type? It doesn't matter if you'll be sleeping under the stars in a tent or if you travel around in an RV, the Grayton Beach State Park has you covered. Additionally, some incredibly charming cabins which can house six people are available to rent. Picnic pavilions and public showers are available for visitors to use so its guests can keep themselves clean and well fed. If more directed activities are more your speed, there are several Ranged ran programs as well. You'll want to stay there for a few days to try and find the absolute best sunset spots, as the experience from Western Lake and the Emerald Coast are vastly different yet equally stunning.

If the cabin sounded like a great way to spend a long weekend, here's a little more info you should know. Like I mentioned, the cabins and accommodate up to six people, and these buildings all come with gas fireplaces, central heating and air conditioning, a kitchen with everything a Chef could want, plus a screened in porch with an outdoor grill. Like any hotel, linens, pillows, blankets and towels are provided by the park. Unfortunately, these cabins are for humans only and pets are not allowed. Make your reservations by calling Reserve America toll free at 1-800-326-3521 and can be made up to eleven months in advance.

Worry not animal lovers, as the RV and tent campgrounds we mentioned earlier are pet friendly. However, all pets need to be confined, leashed on a leash not longer than six feet and/or otherwise under the physical control of an owner at all times. If you do leave your pet leashed up somewhere, he or she can not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Of course, visitors are expected to clean up after their pets.

If you've never been, I really hope this article inspires you to check out Grayton Beach State Park. If you're curious about making life in this paradise a reality for you and your family, visit me at BuyDestin30A.com and give me a call anytime. You can also check out the rest of our blog posts HERE if you want to learn more about the various state parks, restaurants and beaches of Destin, 30A & Beyond!