Enjoy the beautiful beach line of the Gulf of Mexico when you visit the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. This 1,640 acre park is teeming with wildlife, and is home to a variety of different habitats, perfect for wildlife viewing. From the beach to freshwater coastal dune lakes, longleaf pine forests to wetlands, Topsail has something for everyone.
Topsail is a diverse natural area that features pine trails, lakes, dunes and coastal beachfront. With over 15 miles worth of trails, Topsail is a great place to go biking, hiking, or birdwatching. In fact, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. You could catch a glimpse of red shouldered hawks, red cardinals, or snowy plovers at this state park.
When you arrive at the park, there is a large parking area with restrooms and options for trails as well as a tram that takes you to and from the beach access.
Walking to the beach is about a mile and offers a chance to explore the other side of Florida with sabal palms and pine trees with winding trails and wildlife.
Just off the main trail is a side trail that leads to the 3 lakes in the park: Morris Lake, Campbell Lake and Unnamed Lake. These coastal dune lakes offer a habitat and wildlife that is unique to this area.
The gem of this park is the huge beach dunes that lead to 3.2 miles of white sand beach right on the Gulf of Mexico.
This beach area features the pristine crystal white sands of the panhandle coastal beaches with a wide open beach front, soft gentle waves and warm waters of the Gulf.
Swim in the emerald green water, or try your hand at fishing. Saltwater fishing is a popular activity at Topsail. You could catch a pompano, or a king mackerel. Or head on over to the freshwater dune lakes and see if you can catch a bass or freshwater catfish. Fishing not your thing? Visitors can also kayak or paddleboard on the water.
Whether exploring the water or the inland areas Topsail offers a full plethora of experiences and activities. If you’re planning on visiting the park on a Sunday, you’re in luck! Each Sunday Topsail offers a Ranger Program. The Park Rangers will take you on a guided hike, teach you about the park’s history and wildlife, and even offer a crafting porting for the kids. The topic will vary from week to week so it’s always an adventure! Topsail also offers a 13 waypoint geocache program if you’re in the mood for a high-tech treasure hunt. Not ready for the fun to end? Topsail has a variety of camping options. There are 156 RV sites, 22 tent campsites, 16 bungalows, and 16 cabins available for rent in the park.
Location: Northwest Florida
Additional Resources: Official Website