Celebrate Florida State Park’s First Day Hike with a guided tour at Grayton Beach, Topsail Hill Preserve, or Rocky Bayou Jan. 1

December 25, 2015

firstdayhikesgrayton2Grayton Beach State Park

CANCELLED due to trail flooding

Time: 9 – 11 a.m.

Grayton Beach State Park invites you to start the New Year out with a little outdoor activity. Join Assistant Park Manager Patrick Hartsfield for a 2 1/2 mile hike through the forest of Grayton Beach State Park. Learn about our local flora and fauna while getting a little exercise on the 1st day of the New Year.

Participants will meet at the Grayton Beach State Park ranger station at 9 a.m. The degree of difficulty for the hike is “moderate.”

Hikers are asked to wear/bring the following: hat, long pants, insect repellent, and closed toe shoes or hiking boots, bottled water. Sorry but pets are not allowed.

Persons 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent.

Directions: Grayton Beach State Park is located South of U.S. 98 approximately halfway between Panama City Beach and Destin. Take County Road 283 south of U.S. 98, turn left at the stop sign on 30A. Approximately half a mile east of the intersection of County Road 30A and County Road 283 the entrance is on the right.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Time: 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Join a Ranger for a family-friendly hike along one of the trails. Meet at the Tram stop adjacent to the main day use parking area behind the ranger sation.

Don’t forget to bring binoculars, cameras, water and comfortable shoes. Contact Park Services Specialist Clayton Iron Wolf at 850-267-8330 for more information.

Park admission is free, for those that indicate they are participants.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is located at 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. For more information, call (850) 267-8330 ::MAP::

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park  

Time: 10 – 11 a.m.

Come spend the first day of the new year getting back to nature with a hike.

Join a Park Ranger on Friday January 1st, 2016 for a first day of the year hike. This will be a one half mile hike down the Red Cedar nature trail. There will be many plants and critters to see along the way.

Osprey and bald eagles are known to nest within the area. Osprey in particular are often sighted by campers and locals.

Please wear long pants and closed toed shoes.  Park recommends using sunscreen, bug spray, and bringing water for hydration.

Park admission fees will be waived. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is located at 4281 S.R. 20, Niceville, FL. For more information, call (850) 833-9144.