Grayton Beach State Park is a 2200 acre park featuring beautiful natural beaches with rolling dunes covered in sea oats and snowy white sand along emerald waters. Located between Panama City Beach and Destin in the Northwest Region of Florida right next to the town of Seaside. Grayton Beach State Park is Florida at it’s most natural state with nature trails, nature trails, boating, fishing (both saltwater and freshwater), and swimming.
Cabins
Stay the night! Grayton Beach State Park offers Campgrounds for RVs and tents with electricity and water. Pets are welcome. And if you don’t have an RV or tent and want to stay on site, Grayton Beach State Park has cabins! These cabins are a great way to stay and enjoy nature while still having the amenities of a full kitchen with basic stocked utensils and pans, a full bath, and A/C.
Trails
Grayton Beach Hike and Bike main trail is 4.5 miles with an optional Lake Loop Trail that connects with the County and State Forest trails. The main trail takes you through the forest and around the back waters of Western Lake.
The Hobbit Hole Trail
Grayton Beach also has a 1 mile Nature Trail that takes you into the “Hobbit Hole“.
This hiking trail starts at the beach parking area and walks you through an area of sand dunes that leads to this Hobbit Hole, so named because as you approach the sand live oaks from the dunes, you find an alcove of trees.
From the opening you walk into a beautiful natural covered area which has a trail that meanders through the trees and opens to amazing views of both the coastal beach area and Western Lake. The trail ends with a walk through the Slash Pine trees.
Water Activities
Paddling on the backwaters of Western Lake, one of the most beautiful and rare coastal dune lakes, can be experienced with your own canoe or kayak or by renting one from the ranger station.
Fishing is permitted with proper license on both the Western Lake and on the beach.
Enjoy swimming and surfing in the beautiful emerald waters of the Gulf, but be aware that there are no lifeguards.
Unique to Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach coastal shoreline is shaped by nature and the drifting sands can change the landscape. Because it is in the Coastal Lowlands region, there are 13 distinct natural communities that includes beach dunes, mesic flatwoods, sandhill, scrub, scrubby flatwoods, baygall, depression marsh, dome, seepage slope, wet flatwoods, coastal dune lake, estuarine tidal marsh and marine unconsolidated substrate. (source: Florida State Parks Grayton Beach Brochure)
As with all State Parks and Natural areas in Florida, be respectful of the rules and regulations. Don’t disturb the wild life and natural areas. Remember that what makes this area so beautiful is staying out of protected areas and following the rules. We love our Florida Natural Places and want to keep them Beautiful for generations to come.
Location: Northwest Florida
Additional Resources: Official Website