Ample cable channels with good channel clarity. At this point on the trail, theres a covered picnic table and a sand road with plenty of tire treads that leads to the beach. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The western entrance is served by a gravel paved road and leads to the primary beach access. "]. View all photos (201) Traveler (201) There are two bedrooms and two full bathrooms; heat and air conditioning. Power was good, no voltage sag. But it was clear where the path was. Or explore Campbell Lake, a coastal dune lake surrounded by ancient coastal dunes and maritime forest. 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. Walk to Gulf of Mexico, I am not really a camper but I did visit friends that love it. Soon they will either be a commercial area, apartments, condos and homes built here. 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. It is named for a sand dune which stands nearly 25 feet above sea level. We have a 20-foot camper and did not have to use any levelers. All campsites are full hookups (50 amp) and each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park sold out? I was told this park was once a Private RV Resort. This is why we have state and national parks. Conveniently located restaurants include Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar, Bijoux, and VinTij Food & Wine. A camp store . Like to hike? The 3.2 mile stretch of secluded beach is excellent for saltwater fishing. It is a more remote area of the park where you are likely to encounter the fewest people. Their articles have been published in the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, The Guardian and Visit Florida. We will certainly be back! The maximum RV length is 45 feet Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. Nearby attractions include Christina D Swim and Resort (3.4 miles), Topsail Beach State Preserve (0.2 miles), and Destin Jeep Rentals (2.6 miles). | Contact Us. On the far west end of the park, the deep-sand Morris Lake Trail that weaves through ancient dunes and scrub communities can be a bit more challenging but the prize for your efforts is the magnificent solitude of Morris Lake. Get everything you need to enjoy your outdoor adventures from bags and packs to air beds and sleeping bags, insect repellant, cooler bags, and 2-burner stoves. How it works: Day Admission was free due to being sponsored by some company Parking was free and easily available right in the entrance. They share one thing in common passion for parks. A tram running every 2 hours starting at 9 AM will take you to the beach or if you choose you can walk or bike a half-mile along the path to the beach. Explore a natural preserve with three coastal dune lakes, embark on a hike or bike ride on more than five miles of breathtaking trails, then indulge in fresh Gulf seafood. Advertise, Copyright 2023 CampsitePhotos.com - Develop high-quality written materials in support of campaign work, e.g., campaign plans, technical comment letters, policy analyses, scientific literature reviews, action alerts, etc. Dogs are welcome at Topsail Hill Preserve State Parkin Santa Rosa Beach, FL, named after the sand dunes in the area which supposedly have the appearance of boat sails dipping up and down. A revolving and miraculous circle of life. Hi Carl, The Turpentine Trail is named after the prized resin that was once squeezed from these trees. We loved our stay!!!! Back to our cabin stay- they have 1 or 2 bedroom "cabins" which are . At the time of this writing, there is heavy construction going on all day long. . One of our top 5 Florida State Parks. Topsail Hill preserve is home to a variety of animal life, including the endangered Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse. The park does not allow outside kayaks to be used here for fear of introducing non-native plants. First, you might actually be several dunes away from the beach. 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. Given its location in the Gulf Coast area, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cold winters. Great cabins, camping, glamping, biking, hiking in canoe capitol in Panhandle, Seaweed Update: Florida beaches brace for 'the bog', 12 heavenly campgrounds for stargazing in Florida, Kelly Park at Rock Springs: Beautiful park, cool swimming, shaded campground. The beaches at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are among the very best in the state. Overall great vacation. Some campsites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 45 ft. max in length. Along Campbell Lake Nature Trail, enthusiasts may discover a diverse array of plants and animals covering an area of over 5 miles. Catch a pompano, red fish, Spanish or king mackerel. more. Friendly staff here and a very quiet park. There are nice dog parks in Destin and Santa Rosa but no beaches for dogs. Its a perfect place to base yourself before a hike in the dunes. Pool, coffee shop, live bands on Mondays, lots of trails, bike trails, full hookups, wi-fi (at the coffee shop), alligators :}, trash bins, Laundry, bathrooms, showers, and on and on. The cabins, which sleep six if you use the sleeper sofa, are laid out on a loop that looks like a suburban street with small young trees. Topsail Hill Beach We read wonderful reviews on this campground so we booked it as a stop over on the way home. We will DEFINITELY be back!!! Privacy Notice: We use cookies on our website to enhance your experience. That is no longer the case. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. 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. 100% 4 Reviews. It was hot, but the memories and scenerary were definitely worth it. All rights reserved. Harvest Hosts is a special type of membership club for RVers, offering overnight RV camping accommodations at 2,365+ locations across North America! Chatting with a staff member with a Fancy Camps T-shirt, I asked who the market for glamping was. Its also absolutely gorgeous, with towering white dunes and occasional views of the Gulf and lakes. Your browser is not supported for this experience.We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. The park's namesake, Topsail Hill, towers some 25 feet above the emerald sea. The location of the park is perfect. This was specific for a quick half day beach trip- low key and laid back. Copyright 2023 Walton County TDC, All rights reserved. Heres a Topsail Hill State Park campground map. Along this trail you can see old remnants of iron tracks can be seen from the first WWII missile development program in the U.S. Hikers can also enjoy miles of abandoned jeep trails within the park. Discover charming small towns and insider tips to hidden gems. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The campsites at Gregory E More RV Resort Topsail Hill Preserve State Park are all 50 amp (no 30 amp available), and all are full hookup sites. They kept all the amenities. Each bungalow has a carport, full kitchen, bathroom, living room and utility room. We stranded at Henderson State Park on the trip down. Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. We stayed in loop 103 which is the largest and furthest from the main entrance. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you're reviewing this campground please consider including a Rating with your review. There is not much shade on the hiking trails. Great photo ops everywhere. Devils Fork State Park campground is along the shore of Lake Jocassee. Paddle on the clear emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along 3.2 miles of white sandy beach. More adventurous trekkers can take the deer track trail to soak in epic views of the 100-acre Campbell Lake where youll discover water lilies, bald cypress trees, and alien-looking pitcher plants. Topsail Hill State Park camping sites have water, 30- or 50-amp electric, digital cable, sewer, (non-heated) swimming pool, laundry facilities and shuffleboard courts. Large state park with access to a beautiful beach. With Rodeo Renewed, Phillips 66 aims to pivot its Rodeo Refinery away . We provide the campsite photos and a little more information about the campground. You need to make your requests known on booking. One of our top 5 Florida State Parks. Hubby and I camped here for five days. Santa Rosa Beach FL 32459, Contact the Statewide Information Line: Although the paths were sand, it was very firm and mostly under brush. You can click HERE to check out the discounts and rates. Swim, sun, beachcomb for sea beans and watch shorebirds along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches with the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping on the shore. We will The best part of the cabin is a wrap around screen porch with rocking chairs and a picnic table, and, of course, the location in this spectacular park. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Coffee house is overpriced. It is probably our most favorite white sandy beach in the country. 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. This state park was originally a resort in Santa Rosa Beach, and when the state park system took it over, they left the amenities, including full hook ups, pool, shuffleboard, huge, laundry room, paved, walking trails to the dunes, and The coastline here is truly special. Kind of ruined the the tranquility of our vacation. This park offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. As the travel season begins to ramp up, national parks across the U.S. prepare for yet another bu Youve dewinterized your rig and are ready to hit the road for some early season camping. Sites 202 - 205 are unobstructed views of Mullet Key Bayou with beautiful sunsets. 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. Schabarum Park. Topsail Hill Preserve is also a fishermans dream with both the Gulf of Mexico and her numerous lakes on the daily menu. It is a scenic ride but also a great form of transportation, and you see many bikes making use of it. Coastal Dune Lakes can only be found in a handful of places around the world, but the coastal dune lakes at Topsail Hill Preserve are especially unique as theyre completely insulated from the overdeveloped outside world. Ridiculous! This state park was originally a resort in Santa Rosa Beach, and when the state park system took it over, they left the amenities, including full hook ups, pool, shuffleboard, huge, laundry room, paved, walking trails to the dunes, and heated/cooled bathhouses. Save up to 25% on your family travel costs in 2021 by booking an RV through RVshare. 100% 11 Reviews. Most people were just going to the beach, and we never passed ANYONE else hiking, so it was like private trails. Trail Hours apply to trailhead gate and all Habitat Authority trails on the map to the right. We loved our stay!!!! (Do bring water.). Contact. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. 100% 2 Reviews. Friendly staff here and a very quiet park. You'll love it! As the closes public access to this part of the beach is over 1/4 mile away, it is almost a private beach to the park. Discover the best events of the week and plan for a memorable time on 30A! Very nice and cozy beach state park. one of the top-ranked RV parks in the nation, Topsail Hill Preserve State Parks official website. Total Cost Per Night: $47 I like it that you have to park and a tram picks you up and takes you and all your gear out to the beach! What exactly is a coastal dune lake? Rent an RV from RVshare. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Campground. Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm. Making reservations at state parks, especially when planning a trip that crosses multiple states, NPS Changes in 2023: What You Should Know Before Planning a National Park Trip This Year. Outdoor recreation in the area includes boating, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and picnicking. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. The bungalows, which sleep four, are smaller, closer together and located in an older forest. With three miles of clean white sand and clear blue water, swimming and relaxing at Santa Rosa Beach should be at the top of any visitor's to-do list. There's more than three miles of uncrowded, pristine beach here, with huge dunes that reach 25 feet in height. :-) Walk to Gulf of Mexico, I am not really a camper but I did visit friends that love it. Rvers 2 sites down have pets in no pet section. Cement pad so completely level. more. The coastline here is truly special. 30A, there is a tram station along with picnic tables and ADA restrooms. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Gregory E Moore RV Resort) has 156 campsites which can accommodate trailers and RV's (45 feet maximum). Here's a look at the beach I'll be showing some of the other features of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park soon. History buffs will also love the remnants of a World War II missile testing program including an old track that was used for moving missiles and other military vehicles across this soft sand. Read More A cookie is a text file that is stored on your device. We stayed in campsite 163. 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. (Did we mention they are carnivorous? These lakes are full of many types of freshwater fish including bass, pan fish, and freshwater catfish. Do out of state seniors get discounts for National or Military or any other?? Its fun to have no expectations when we arrive at a State Park, so far, weve never been disappointed! Our cabin did not have a barbecue or fire ring; it seems others did. What are some restaurants close to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park? Discover The Abacos: Secluded Beaches and Island Vibes in. We've stayed at Topsail before in our camper but wanted the convenience of a cabin this time. Home | Order or download our travel guides and start planning. A much better campground. The foot hiking trails were pretty natural. Go at cooler hours and wear hat + sunscreen, All campers paying good money to camp need to know, this summer ALL day users were FREE, so! The campground has drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers ($), a camp store, laundry, horseshoes and shuffleboard courts. 1 /6. There is a shuttle from the campground to the beach that runs hourly but if youre spending any amount of time here a bike is the best way to get around. Unspoiled white sand beaches. There are over 10 miles of trails at Topsail Hill Preserve. Very convenient to Destin\San Destin and all the shopping and conveniences you could want. 1 Review. 100% 11 Reviews. Florida State Parks do have discounts for seniors, veterans and the disabled. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunesand wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge here, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants. But here in Topsail Hill Preserve, these dunes are the result of Mother Natures hard and persistent work over the millennia. 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. Learn Trails at Topsail There are over 10 miles of trails at Topsail Hill Preserve. The maximum RV length is 45 feet. Every day, 30A shares Beach Happy stories and eco-conscious products with millions of fans worldwide. Campsitephotos.com is not associated with any of the campgrounds we have listed on our site. Marine Sanctuary, advancing coral reef protection and restoration in South Florida and beyond. All that lodging makes the campground and cabin area seem like a small suburban development , which is not the wild and natural setting I expect at a state park. Surviving spouses and parents of deceased veterans who fell in combat also receive a free lifetime military pass. All rights reserved. (You can rent bikes here too.). Welcome to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The beach is the star here. If you are staying in the Santa Rosa, 30A area this beach is not crowded with people and the beaches are beautiful. Furnished bungalows are available for weekly stays. Topsail Hill State Preserve in Santa Rosa Beach is rated 9.2 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. Enjoy a taste of old-fashioned camping with modern luxurious updates. Facilities include a fishing dock and picnic pavilions. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks. Share. Note: Dont bring your bike on the Morris Trail. We were lucky enough to only book a week in advance. Rose Hills Memorial Park occupies portions of the northern area. Easy access to 30A. The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay. This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, What an amazing park! Youre in the right place. Terrain is level making both very easy. Review of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. 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. Get directions, find nearby businesses and places, and much more. Topsail Hill State Park camping sites have water, 30- or 50-amp electric, digital cable, sewer, (non-heated) swimming pool, laundry facilities and shuffleboard courts. Bath house very clean at all times during the day. We will be first-time campers at Topsail pulling a Grand Design Imagine 32 with slide on both sides. We stayed in a cabin and it was simple and modern, equipped with the necessities. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Reservations are hard to come by, but keep checking back and snag a cancellation! 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. 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. Sites 202 - 205 are unobstructed views of Mullet Key Bayou with beautiful sunsets. There are miles and miles of trials to walk, hike, bike, or run. While I might think tent camping is about cooking dinner at the campfire, the glampers, I was told, want to hit the restaurants and bars on 30A. These earnings directly support our costs to produce free content on FloridaRambler.com Thank you for your support! This article about a location in Walton County, Florida is a stub. more. Coffee shop on site with rental bikes. I was told this park was once a Private RV Resort. (More on that below.). Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the Emerald Coast, is one of the most desirable Florida state parks to visit and camp. You have your own private beach and a trolley runs every hour to take folks to and from the beach. The park has over three miles of white sand beaches, as well as sand dunes, lakes, unique plant and animal life, and wetlands. The Schabarum Trail (Skyline Trail . Discover campgrounds like Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Gregory E Moore RV Resort Florida, find information like reviews, photos, number of RV and tent sites, open seasons, rates, facilities, and activities. Visit Website. Also, anything around the coffee shop before the actual campground entrance has zero privacy. more. We biked the section closest to Grayton Beach State Park and after driving all of 30A, think its the most scenic section to bicycle. Find yours here. The advantages of these trails are many. The trail connects to Morris Lake Trail, the longest trail in the park, a loop located between freshwater Morris Lake and the gulf beaches. Do you have pictures of the tent sites as well? You are close to Eglin Air Force Base; expect occasional F-15s overhead as well as Blackhawk helicopters. . A diamond in the rough. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. Explore Florida's beaches and backwaters, islands and prairies, campgrounds, trails and historic sites. Lake Perris offers a variety of water recreation, including swimming, fishing (shore, pier and boat), boating, sailing, waterskiing, and a special area for scuba diving. Click below to search availability at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. This is the real Florida. The road is a major thoroughfare to the beach and there is also a school. Customers are from 3 local states, the beaches are not crowed. The rest of the park must be toured on foot, on bike or by taking the free tram that runs hourly to the beach. Its a state park w/entry fee, covid protocol. 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. I recommend you contact the campground directly about your question: 850 267-8330. Rodeo Renewed, which is expected to transform the refinery into one of the world's largest renewable fuels facilities, stands to reduce facility emissions, preserve well-paid jobs and help California meet both its demand for transportation fuels and its environmental goals.

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