Sand dunes along the outfall on Camp Creek Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Recreational activities abound on these rare coastal dune lakes

Walton County is well known for its beautiful beaches and great fishing. Less known to those that have never visited the area, are the unique and scenic coastal dune lakes that dot the coastline along the area’s beach dune systems.

Nestled along Scenic Highway 30A, Walton county’s coastal dune lakes are rare geological features that only occur in the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the northern Pacific coast of the United States.

Streams, groundwater seepage and rain are the sources that feed the coastal dune lakes. Storm surge creates intermittent connections to the Gulf of Mexico, called outfalls. This periodic connection empties lake water into the Gulf, and, depending on tides and weather, salt water and organisms from the Gulf flow back into the lakes.

Coastal dune lakes. Click to enlarge. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

In addition to their unique form, the coastal dune lakes are among the most picturesque places in Florida. Local state parks; Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park and Camp Helen State Park offer beautiful vistas where one can view the lakes nestled in the sand dunes. The lake outfalls provide great birding opportunities.

Recreational activities along the coastal dune lakes include kayak/canoe paddling, stand up paddle boarding, bird watching and both salt and freshwater fishing.

Fishing is typically fresh water, however salt-water species can be found in the lakes as well. Bream, bass, pan fish, catfish, redfish, flounder, speckled trout and mullet are commonly caught.

A Florida fishing license is required to fish on the coastal dune lakes. It is recommended purchasing a combo fresh/salt water fishing license issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). To buy licenses online, go to: http://myfwc.com/License/Index.htm

Walton County does not allow jet propelled watercraft (Jet Skis) on any coastal dune lake except Lake Powell, which is primarily located in Bay County. All lakes allow motorized boats except Topsail Hill Preserve, which does not allow any type of boat, kayak or canoe brought in. The park offers kayak and canoe rentals for Campbell Lake.

Several of the lakes are surrounded by private property, as homes have been developed around many of the lakes. The lakes themselves are public property, however it can be confusing where one can attain public access.

There are many public access points to the coastal dune lakes, however parking is at a premium at many locations.

According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Department, parking on the county easement along Scenic Highway 30A is permitted. Unless there is signage indicating not to park in an area, one can park along the county easement.  A vehicle cannot block a driveway or access to one’s private property. You cannot park within 15-feet of a stop sign, or park near an intersection where it hinders the view of traffic. A vehicle cannot block any portion of the bicycle path.

Below is a list of access information and recreational activity available on the area’s coastal dune lakes. Looking to rent a kayak? Big Daddy’s Bike and Beach Sports on Scenic Hwy. 30A offers rentals and they deliver! Click here for more info.

Public access points on Walton County’s coastal dune lakes

Fuller Lake: No public access.

Campbell Lake at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Morris Lake and Campbell Lake: These two lakes along with an unnamed lake are located within Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The park currently does not permit any kayaks, canoes or boats on Morris Lake. The park offers  rentals of canoes and kayaks for Campbell Lake.  Rentals are $35/ 1/2 day and $55/ full day.

• Hiking
• Fishing
• Bird watching ::MAP::

Stallworth Lake: No public access.

Allen Lake:
Limited access along Scenic Hwy. 30A.
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Oyster Lake:
Oyster Lake has limited access near the footbridge between Scenic Hwy. 30A and Lake Causeway walkover bridge, and along Scenic Hwy. 30A.
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Boating, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Oyster Lake can be accessed on each side of the footbridge and off of Scenic Hwy. 30A. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Draper Lake: No public access

Big Redfish Lake:
There is a small, undeveloped county easement trail on Blue Lake Road. Limited parking.
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Little Redfish Lake:
Limited access off of Scenic Hwy. 30A
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Small trail to Big Red Fish Lake on Blue Lake Drive. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Alligator Lake:
Very limited access along Scenic Hwy. 30A (steep incline)
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Western Lake:
Grayton Beach State Park offers adequate parking and boat ramp facilities within the park. The park also offers canoe rentals. There is a County boat ramp at the end of Hotz Ave., in Grayton Beach with limited parking. YOLO Adventures offers stand up paddle board rentals at two locations for paddling on Western Lake. For information, go to: YOLOboard.com
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Boating, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Small county park on the corner of Lakewood and Lakeview Drive has a boat ramp, parking and picnic area. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Eastern Lake:
County park on the corner of Lakewood Drive and Lakeview Drive offers adequate parking, picnic tables, grill and boat launch
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Boating, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Deer Lake:
Deer Lake State Park offers a scenic boardwalk to the beach. Deer Lake can be accessed from the beach.
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Bird watching
::MAP::

Camp Creek Lake:
Limited access along Scenic Hwy. 30A
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
::MAP::

Lake Powell:
Lake Powell is located predominately in Bay County. Heading east on U.S. Hwy. 98, cross over bridge into Bay County, turn left at Publix and the entrance to the Bay County park and boat ramp facility will be on the left. Camp Helen State Park also offers a scenic vista for bird watching, hiking and fishing. There are no boat launch areas at Camp Helen.
• Fishing
• Bird watching
• Boating, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding
• Personal watercraft
Camp Helen State Park: ::MAP::
Lake Powell public access: ::MAP::

For more information about Walton County’s coastal dune lakes, go to Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance at http://www.basinalliance.org