Free Admission to Florida State Parks On 30A This Summer

Are you planning a 30A vacation this summer? If so, you may want to take advantage of the FREE day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park located along Scenic Highway 30A this summer.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Walton County Tourism Department is covering the cost of entry for day-use visitors to increase available parking for beachgoers and offer access to wide a variety of eco-tourism activities available in South Walton County.

Topsail Hill State Preserve is a 1,640-acre Gulf-front park, which features a variety of habitats, including pristine beaches, freshwater coastal dune lakes, old-growth longleaf pine forests and wetlands. Topsail Hill offers 3 miles of pristine beaches and 15 trails. This park is a bird-watching and hiking paradise and offers an array of activities including bicycling, hiking, bird watching, paddling, picnicking, swimming, Geocaching, fishing and more.

Hike or bike along the trails to experience old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes and wetlands, and view some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge in the park such as the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and carnivorous pitcher plant. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park affords bird watchers the opportunity to view a variety of birds both inland and along the shore, including red-shouldered hawks, Eastern bluebirds, red cardinals, and ospreys as well as threatened snowy plovers and piping plovers. For a different view of the park, rent a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddle board from the campground store (pricing and reservations call 850-267-8333. 

Nestled alongside the historic town of Grayton Beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Grayton Beach State Park features nearly 2,000 acres of pristine land including a rare coastal dune lake, Western Lake. Western Lake offers fishing and paddling, and for those who want to explore on foot the park features 4 miles of trails to traverse through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias are bent and twisted by salt winds. The park features a rare glimpse of life under the dunes along the lake trail and meanders along Western Lake.

Complimentary day-use admission is available during normal operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to sunset, now through Labor Day, Sept. 5. 

Ready to book your next 30A summer vacation and enjoy use of these great state parks? View our collection of South Walton and 30A vacation rentals online or call one of our friendly vacation specialists at 1-800-228-7652. Remember to always book direct with Newman-Dailey for our best rate guarantee.

See you @ the beach!