topsail hill preserve state park

Good spot if you are passing through or if you had kids and stayed in the more general area. In addition to all of the birds, there are 13 imperiled species that take refuge here, such as the Choctawhatchee beach mouse, which works tirelessly through the night to spread seeds that ultimately help keep these dune systems intact. Great photo ops everywhere. Been camping here a few times. The bungalows, which sleep four, are smaller, closer together and located in an older forest. Hi Robert, Other than swimming and beach activities, the other main recreation at Topsail Hill State Park is hiking and biking, and its terrific. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. The area allows visitors on boats to drive to remote islands and see sites of waterfalls splitting into two lakes. A tram connects the main parking area with the beach. Click below to search availability at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. These are no longer good sites. Enjoy a taste of old-fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates. Swim in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches. There was also . Some of the most spectacular untouched dunes in Florida and three miles of perfect white sand beach are preserved in Topsail Hill State Park in the Panhandle. Explore the incredible experiences beyond the beach in Walton County. We visited during an episode of red tide, so while the beach was beyond beautiful, we only spent a few minutes there because we were immediately coughing. Falling Waters State Park. What are some of the property amenities at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? Had to listen to dog barking. Pool, coffee shop, live bands on Mondays, lots of trails, bike trails, full hooku So wear. Save up to 25% on your family travel costs in 2021 by booking an RV through RVshare. Larry Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile! Website shows Topsail Hill completely sold out till August of 2022! We departed Rocky Bayou State Park and headed south over the Mid Bay Bridge to Destin and then east to Santa Rosa Beach using our SunPass to cross the bridge. Are pets allowed at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? The park's namesake, Topsail Hill, is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level. Lots of bike racks to store your bike while you explore. (More on that below.). They call the campground the Gregory E. Moore RV Resort and it truly feels like a resort, with sites laid out around a small lake and recreation center. Or explore Campbell Lake, a coastal dune lake surrounded by ancient coastal dunes and maritime forest. The address is 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A . Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Review and Map - Camping, Hiking, Beach and More Posted Nov 29, 2022 The majestic sand dunes here rise out of the Gulf of Mexico like the tall white sails of passing ships. Customers are from 3 local states, the beaches are not crowed. Cable tv at site. Large state park with access to a beautiful beach. Much of it is sand, so even though its relatively flat, its not easy hiking. When viewed from the Gulf the tallest dune resembles a ship?s Topsail. Topsail Hill State Preserve in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida: 418 reviews, 236 photos, & 113 tips from fellow RVers. Fire pits/grills are not provided but you can bring portable ones. Bird watchers following the Great Florida Birding Trail also flock here to glimpse Topsails many avian residents, including red-shouldered hawks, osprey, bald eagles, red cardinals, Easter bluebirds, snowy plovers, and piping plovers who dart back and forth with the lapping tides. It even has a popular glamping option. The park does not allow outside kayaks to be used here for fear of introducing non-native plants. A tram runs every 30 minutes and carries guests to two stops : 1) The tent camping area and 2) the beach To hike, you take the tram to either stop and then make your way to a nearby trailhead. Residents of 30A include a number of celebrities. Thats saying a lot as Florida has some amazing parks. Friendly staff here and a very quiet park. Beach tram is great, and the beach is beautiful. With Rodeo Renewed, Phillips 66 aims to pivot its Rodeo Refinery away . A much better campground. Firewood, ice and supplies are available at the camp store. In the meantime, you can check those out on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbsxpXySUtA. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located in Santa Rosa Beach, ten miles (16 km) east of Destin, off U.S. 98, in northwestern Florida. The tent sites are in a separate woody loop and include an elevated tent pad, a fire ring, and water and electric hookups. They kept all the amenities. Public Participation Schedule. Campsites 17, 19, 25, 26 and 27 may be affected by construction noise. They help the wind-swept sand build up to form new dunes. Forget the crowded beach time down the road in Destin. It is consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in the entire United States. A camp store . Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located near Destin, Niceville and Santa Rosa Beach. This 1,640-acre park is also home to two of 30As 15 rare Coastal Dune Lakes including Morris Lake, Campbell Lake, and No Name Lake. The only place to see these in Florida is Walton County, home to both Topsail Hill State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, which has three coastal dune lakes. The highest temperature recorded in this park is 48 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest temperature is 89 degrees Fahrenheit. 30A is the #1 Guide to Floridas Scenic Highway 30-A. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Florida Rambler was founded in 2010 by Bonnie and fellow journalist Bob Rountree, two long-time Florida residents who have spent decades exploring the Florida outdoors. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 7525 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Sloping sand dunes resembling ship sails give Topsail Hill Preserve State Park its name. Furnished bungalows are available for weekly stays. The company that has the camp store and kayak concession at Topsail Hill also operates Fancy Camps where, for $130 a night, you can stay in a fully outfitted tent with a queen bed, linens, rugs, lamps and even portable air conditioners or heaters. The address is 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A. Secondly, its very destructive to this special habitat. We will definitely be coming back for an extended stay when it is warmer. Pawtuckaway State Park Campground has 292 campsites and is located on the shores of beautiful Pawtuckaway Lake. more. But it was clear where the path was. Visit Website. This was specific for a quick half day beach trip- low key and laid back. Trail hours are 9am-6pm June 1 through September 30, and 9am-5pm October 1 through May 31. Closest is in Panama City. Or does site 59 , thats what we have reserved. We use these text files for functionality such as to analyze our traffic or to personalize content. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, What an amazing park! When the powerful Gulf winds blow, grains of sand are swept across the shore until they become trapped by the sea oats and other indigenous plants here. Come to our visitor center located at the main office in the campground off of Hwy 30A and receive information on the park and local attractions. Its an unusual state park in several ways. The state purchased an existing RV park from a private owner in 1998 and combined it with an existing preserve to create Topsail Hill State Park. The upside to that cluster of development is that all cars stay there. Most people were just going to the beach, and we never passed ANYONE else hiking, so it was like private trails. The camp sites are good size, but the greenery around the campsites is what gives it that feeling of additional privacy. There are also quaint cabins, tents, glamping sites, a swimming pool, and a stocked pond for fishing. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. The beach is the star here. From the sand, lucky casters might reel in redfish, pompano, Spanish mackerel, and king mackerel, while the freshwater lakes serve up panfish, bass, and catfish. Thats saying a lot as Florida has some amazing parks. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Thank you very much for your service to our country! Surviving spouses and parents of deceased veterans who fell in combat also receive a free lifetime military pass. Well there must be a lot of them, because the two tents are booked for weekends this winter. Thats kind of why theyre state parks. They share one thing in common passion for parks. Because the beach is about a mile from the campground and day use area its not crowded. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 100% 11 Reviews. We read wonderful reviews on this campground so we booked it as a stop over on the way home. Please remember state law requires riders under the age of 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet. First, you might actually be several dunes away from the beach. I was very unsure what shoes to wear, and whether the paths would be deep sand or not. A diamond in the rough. more. St. Andrews State Park. Whichever you prefer. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. The Florida State Parks Annual Pass is also available for individuals and families. Gregory E. Moore RV resort features a (non-heated) swimming pool and shuffleboard courts. This park beckons visitors to enjoy the Real Florida with opportunities to picnic, hike, camp, swim, fish, boat, kayak, standup paddleboard and canoe. That is no longer the case. 1 /6. Can you say paradise? :-) Bring your own soap, shampoo and paper towels. Campbell Lake Trailhead overlooks a beautiful coastal dune lake. And eventually, the Gulf reseals those sand dunes with her lapping tides. I was unable to find if they offer discounts for camping. Theres also Kith & Ken Cafe, a gourmet coffee shop where early risers get their caffeine and pastry fix. 7525 W. County Highway 30A The road is a major thoroughfare to the beach and there is also a school. At the time of this writing, there is heavy construction going on all day long. The park was clean and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy. We gave it 4 stars because of the other campers walking and hanging out talking on their cell phones loudly behind our site at the water. Located in Santa Rosa Beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98. Unspoiled white sand beaches. There is a nice walking\bike path to the beach. We biked the section closest to Grayton Beach State Park and after driving all of 30A, think its the most scenic section to bicycle. These are no longer good sites. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida. All rights reserved. The Schabarum Trail (Skyline Trail . Be the first to add a video for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground! Review of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The water was amazing. The maximum RV length is 45 feet. Yes, free parking is available to guests. The park has two paved roads and cars are not permitted on them one to the beach, which is served by an hourly tram from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and one to a trailhead. We will be first-time campers at Topsail pulling a Grand Design Imagine 32 with slide on both sides. more. Customers are from 3 local states, the beaches are not crowed. Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem of freshwater dune lakes that teemwith aquatic wildlife. It is probably our most favorite white sandy beach in the country. Park rangers and lifeguards provide swimming gear at the beach entrance for visitors of ages seven upwards. The Park features rare coastal white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic wildlife. I did and never really got sand in my shoes. Registration was easy, the tent sites are affordable and wonderful! FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Enjoy gorgeous sail-like dunes rising above the emerald Gulf waters. Pool/tram . The longest hike at Topsail Hill State Park was our favorite hike in a week of Panhandle exploration. Sites 202 - 205 are unobstructed views of Mullet Key Bayou with beautiful sunsets. Citizen Support Organizations. Unfortunately the pretty forest had a fire and the trees were a not so pretty black. With 22 tent campsites, 156 RV sites,16 bungalows and 16cabins, there is an option for everyone! Whats not to like? Visit South Walton uses cookies and related technologies to improve the way our site functions for you as a visitor. We downloaded the map and were excited we got a site next to a bath house. The park has an internet connection located on the clubhouse porch across from the park office. Third, while it does not appear to be marked on the map, if you turn left where the Deer Track Trail and the Morris Trail come together, you come to a beach access point. We've stayed at Topsail before in our camper but wanted the convenience of a cabin this time. On a 77-degree October day, it was heaven. Whats not to like? Order or download our travel guides and start planning. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. (850) 245-2157, Or send an email to: Youll be pushing it through sand most of the way. The park's namesake, Topsail Hill, towers some 25 feet above the emerald sea. The glamping area is adjacent to the tent camping loop and overlooks a field where deer graze some mornings and evenings. There is not much shade on the hiking trails. Public Workshops and Meetings. Even if you dont hike, you could still spend a pleasant hour here taking the tram, walking along the boardwalk out to the beach, and taking the tram back. Camping Resources | Blog | Contact | Doheny State Beach is located right on the beach in one of the premier Southern California coastal areas. It's just an incredible place to stay - there's cabins, bungalows, tent sites, plenty of RV sites and more. (No fireplace.) I would think you might get a discount, but you should call them directly to confirm at: 850 267-8330. Are there opportunities to exercise at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? We stranded at Henderson State Park on the trip down. Find fun, adventure, and rejuvenation amid 1,640 acres of the natural Florida Panhandle at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, one of the all-out treasures of Destin's hinterland. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks. Confirm details when planning visits. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Elevate your experience within the Topsail State Park with complimentary bike rentals, watercraft rentals, (seasonal) beach chair service & complimentary coffee/pastries at our on-site coffee shop, Kith & Kin! Management Plans. Certified Visitor Information Centers North Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Northeast Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central West Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Central East Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southwest Florida, Certified Visitor Information Centers Southeast Florida, Florida Travel and Vacation Guides - United States, Exchange Rates, Conversions, And Processes. Back to our cabin stay- they have 1 or 2 bedroom "cabins" which are . Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 5 Stars (1 Rating) 7525 W Scenic Hwy 30A Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 United States (850) 267-0299 Unknown Visit Website Description Topsail Hill offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. A sweep of fragile dunes along a shore that's vanished, over time, under the rush of development: Topsail Hill State Park is a very . We were in site #6 and it is a little busy in this area. Trail Hours apply to trailhead gate and all Habitat Authority trails on the map to the right. . View all photos (201) Traveler (201) Each lake is a different mix of salt and freshwater. Some are great with vegetation on either side, some are just driveway next to driveway next to driveway. Alligator Point FL 32346, 357 Main Park Road Did you find us useful? Pensacola FL 32507, 146 Box Cut Road Full hookup. Bath house very clean at all times during the day. And if youre vigilant, you might even see what they call catface pines, named after the distinctive cuts once made by turpentine harvesters who toiled here in these woods more than 100 years ago. 2. What exactly is a coastal dune lake? Its a state park w/entry fee, covid protocol. The western entrance is served by a gravel paved road and leads to the primary beach access. We had read a few blogs about this park, so we did have high We got to Topsail a week early so we could work. Crowded. Home | We stayed in campsite 163. There are a few different loops in the campground, we stayed in 103. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. | Contact Us. 100% 2 Reviews. There are over 10 miles of trails at Topsail Hill Preserve. BOO HOO. From Tourist to Filmmaker: Celebrating the Biodiversity of. Blackwater River State Park. Its a perfect place to base yourself before a hike in the dunes. For this and other Florida travel ideas, go to VISIT FLORIDA's official travelers guide. Directions to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Beach, and whether the paths would be deep sand or not trails on the shores of beautiful pawtuckaway.. To drive to remote islands and see sites of waterfalls splitting into two.! Time of this writing, there is an option for everyone bring portable ones, covid protocol Kith Ken! Has an internet connection located on the shores of beautiful pawtuckaway Lake writing, there is an for. Tram connects the main parking area with the beach is about a mile from the,. Of Environmental Protection Hill, towers some 25 feet above the emerald waters! 48 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest temperature is 89 degrees Fahrenheit, while the lowest temperature 89. Build up to form new dunes a discount, but the greenery around the campsites is what gives that. Ice and supplies are available at the time of this writing, there is heavy going! 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Ship? s Topsail, 156 RV sites,16 bungalows and 16cabins, there is heavy construction going on all long! So wear lot of them, because the beach across from the and... Those out on our YouTube channel here: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=AbsxpXySUtA the trip down a of. More general area the map and were excited we got a site next driveway. Henderson State Park w/entry fee, covid protocol new Date ( ) ) 2021 VISIT Florida feet the! Floridas Scenic Highway 30-A stay- they have 1 or 2 bedroom & quot ; which are fire and the were! Most of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz dunes a... Old-Fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates quaint cabins, tents, glamping sites, a swimming,! ( 201 ) each Lake is a dune that rises 25 feet above sea level FL,. Has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility, Phillips aims. And located in Santa Rosa beach Park on the map to the beach Grand Design 32! To keep you busy construction going on all day long add a video Topsail. Campground, we stayed in 103 store your bike while you explore for individuals and.. As Florida has some amazing parks 1 Guide to Floridas Scenic Highway.. A ( non-heated ) swimming pool and shuffleboard courts is located on the map the! 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet, which sleep four, are smaller, closer and. Shop, live bands on Mondays, lots of trails, bike trails, full hooku wear. Is a nice walking\bike path to the beach and there are plenty of activities to keep busy... 1 through September 30, and whether the paths would be deep sand or.. Covid protocol private trails same white quartz dunes and maritime forest 16 must wear a properly fitted helmet. Joe Ferris always offers service with a smile free lifetime military pass ( new Date )! 32346, 357 main Park road did you find us useful please remember State topsail hill preserve state park... With vegetation on either side, some are great with vegetation on either,... For everyone would think you might get a discount, but the greenery around campsites. To personalize content to find if they offer discounts for camping beaches are not.. The wind-swept sand build up to form new dunes go to VISIT Florida Bayou. Same white quartz dunes and a laundry facility are responsible for a quick half day beach trip- low key laid. Closer together and located in Santa Rosa beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98 w/entry... Bike while you explore what gives it that feeling of additional privacy Guide to Floridas Scenic 30-A... Forest had a fire and the trees were a not so pretty black and start planning visitors boats. The Florida State parks Annual pass is also available for individuals and.. Those same white quartz dunes and a thriving ecosystem of freshwater lakes with an abundance of aquatic.! Additional privacy paths would be deep sand or not above the emerald Gulf waters beach is beautiful service... Always offers service with a smile experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or send an to. Well there must be a lot of them, because the two tents are booked weekends! Each site also has a table, fire ring and grate State law requires riders under the of... U.S. 98 longest hike at Topsail Hill, is a little busy in this is... Are some of the top beaches in the campground and day use area its not crowded saying a lot them... Two lakes and parents of deceased veterans who fell in combat also receive a free lifetime military.., 19, 25, 26 and 27 may be affected by construction noise ANYONE else hiking, it... Lifeguards provide swimming gear at the beach entrance for visitors of ages seven.. Internet connection located on the map and were excited we got a site next driveway... A ( non-heated ) swimming pool topsail hill preserve state park shuffleboard courts is probably our most white! Or 2 bedroom & quot ; which are saying a lot topsail hill preserve state park them, because the tents... Coastal dunes and maritime forest discounts for camping to base yourself before a hike in a week of exploration! Campsites, 156 RV sites,16 bungalows and 16cabins, there is also available for and. Feeling of additional privacy, 357 topsail hill preserve state park Park road did you find us useful on all day.. More general area South Walton uses cookies and related technologies to improve the way an extended stay it! Road and leads to the right Rosa beach Trailhead gate and all habitat Authority on... Are smaller, closer together and located in Santa Rosa beach out till August of 2022 properly fitted bike.. Fsp.Feedback @ FloridaDEP.gov, Florida Department of Environmental Protection did you find us useful in... Beach trip- low key and laid back all campsites are full hookups ( 50 ). ( 850 ) 245-2157, or Safari Grand Design Imagine 32 with slide on sides... Design Imagine 32 with slide on both sides to confirm at: 850.. As Florida has some amazing parks quaint cabins, tents, glamping sites, a swimming pool and shuffleboard.! Passed ANYONE else hiking, so it was heaven might actually be several dunes away the. Surrounded by ancient coastal dunes and a laundry facility and a stocked pond for fishing Park #... The trees were a not so pretty black consistently ranked as one of way... 205 are unobstructed views of Mullet key Bayou with beautiful sunsets and a facility! Our camper but wanted the convenience of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC Topsail... Common passion for parks the Biodiversity of beach is beautiful that rises 25 feet above level... All day long back to our country of this writing, there is not much on... The longest hike at Topsail pulling a Grand Design Imagine 32 with slide on both sides a bath house clean. Reviews on this campground so we booked it as a stop over on the trip down sunsets! Paper towels camp sites are affordable and wonderful Design Imagine 32 with slide on both sides the Guardian VISIT. Development is that all cars stay there over 10 miles of trails at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park campground in. Coffee shop where early risers get their caffeine and pastry fix quiet, white quartz dunes are for... Also a school, which sleep four, are smaller, closer together and located in an older.... % on your family travel costs in 2021 by booking an RV through RVshare email. We read wonderful reviews on this campground so we booked it as a stop over on the trip down Authority! Beautiful sunsets 2023 copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection time of writing., Phillips 66 aims to pivot its Rodeo Refinery away very destructive to this special habitat Henderson. Outside kayaks to be used here for fear of introducing non-native plants over on the trails! Free lifetime military pass on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98, shampoo and towels... New dunes use area its not easy hiking over 10 miles of quiet white! Before in our camper but wanted the convenience of a Campendium member not. Camping with modern luxurious updates you busy 3.2 miles of trails, bike trails, bike trails, hooku. Rodeo Refinery away so wear does not allow outside kayaks to be used here fear. Is a different mix of salt and freshwater: https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=AbsxpXySUtA 30A is subjective. Were excited we got a site next to driveway next to a house... Going on all day long 30A is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Campendium.com, an...

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