Walton County beach parks with lifeguards, easy access, parking, and restroom facilities

Walton County’s beaches in Miramar Beach and along Scenic Highway 30A offer many public beach accesses. Locals have their favorites, whether it be good surf, quiet strolls or the safety of a lifeguard available. South Walton Fire District lifeguards patrol eight locations. These eight locations offer adequate parking, restroom facilities, and three offer handicap access with wheelchairs available: Ed Walline at the corner of Scenic Hwy. 30A and CR 393, Bramble Grove/Santa Clara Street in Seagrove and Miramar, near Pompano Joe’s on Scenic Gulf Drive. Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., seven days a week from the second Saturday in March until the last Sunday in September.

Here is a list of beach access locations with lifeguards from west to east:

Miramar Beach Access – ::MAP:: Located on Scenic Gulf Drive off of U.S. 98 in western Walton County • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Dune Allen Access – ::MAP:: Located west of County Road 393 on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • Handicap access

Ed Walline Access – ::MAP:: Located at the intersection of 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Gulfview Heights Access - ::MAP:: Located 1/2 mile east of intersection County Roads 393 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Gulfview Heights Street • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking

Blue Mountain Beach Access – ::MAP:: Located at the south end of CR 83 • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Limited Parking

Van Ness Butler, Jr. Access – ::MAP:: Located between Seaside and WaterColor on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Ample parking lot on the north side of Scenic Hwy. 30A

Grove Road/Santa Clara Street – ::MAP:: Seagrove on Scenic Hwy. 30A • Lifeguards • Restrooms • Parking • ADA access with wheelchair available

Inlet Beach Access – ::MAP:: Located 3/4 mile east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Scenic Hwy. 30A, turn south on Orange Street • Lifeguards • Portable restrooms • Parking

Posted under Beaches

Events in Santa Rosa Beach include presentation Mar. 26 and tours of Scenic 30A Mar. 27

Almost two years after being designated as a Florida Scenic Highway, Walton County’s Scenic 30-A corridor is more vibrant than ever. After officially earning designation as a Florida Scenic Highway in May of 2008, Scenic 30-A has continued to work towards improving the overall traveling experience along the corridor. With continuous support and assistance from local residents, state and local government representatives, business owners, and community organizations, this 28.5 mile corridor will celebrate its natural, cultural, historic, recreational, archeological, and scenic resources during Florida Scenic Highway Day.

In celebration of this exceptional corridor the Friends of Scenic 30-A will be hosting an opening ceremony for Scenic Highway Day, Friday evening March 26, 2010 at the Walton County District 5 office located at 70 Logan Lane in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m (CST). During this opening ceremony, a short documentary on Coastal Dune Lakes will be shown following a brief presentation about the Florida Scenic Highway Program. That evening and the following day, visitors can stop by the office to pick up brochures, educational materials, and other information about Scenic
Highway 30-A.
Read More…

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun

Justin Nichols leads a tour on Lake Powell.

Local guide provides tours of area lakes, bayous and creeks on stand up paddle boards

Locals and visitors to the Walton County area have a fun, new approach to exploring the local waterways.  Local resident and outdoor enthusiast, Justin Nichols offers guided nature tours around area coastal dune lakes, bayous and creeks on YOLO stand up paddle boards.

After leaving the confines of a high stress job a few years ago, Justin has found his passion – exploring the natural beauty of the area on his YOLO board.

Originally from Enterprise, Ala., Justin grew up spending most every weekend with his family fishing, sailing and diving around Lake Powell. Justin is a now permanent resident, and enjoys giving tours and sharing his knowledge of the local waters.
Read More…

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, paddle/surf/boat

This Southern Bald Eagle stands perched on dead tree on Western Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

A Southern Bald Eagle scans the waters of Western Lake in South Walton County Florida on Dec. 22. Locals and visitors have been enjoying the unusual sightings of the bald eagles the last few weeks. Local Jamie Conley first captured a great photo of an eagle last week perched on the same tree.

According to park service specialists at Grayton Beach State Park, the raptors have been fishing on the northern portion of Western Lake since the outfall to the Gulf of Mexico has opened.

For more information about the come back of our national bird in Florida, Click here

Posted under Birding, Nature

Explore some of the many creeks and tributaries in a kayak with Into The Wild Eco Diversions.

Expert guide service offers unique nature adventures

Into the Wild Eco-Diversions in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida offers a unique guide service accommodating anyone looking to explore nature in the Florida Panhandle. With such a vast amount of natural beauty in the area, ITW offers the opportunity to experience it all with the unique variety of platforms – biking, hiking, kayaking and sailing.

ITW’s concept is to bring people closer to the natural world, as the content of the tours are interpretive discussions on the ecosystems, history and current events affecting our environment. The trips range from 2-4 hours and vary from easy to strenuous. Longer outings can be scheduled and can be customized to an individual’s preference. Read More…

Posted under Biking, Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Trails/Hiking

A late fall sun casts splendid shades of color on a sand dune on Camp Creek Lake in South Walton.

Posted under Nature

Sunsets are always a treat in South Walton

This is the time of year when the sun sets on the southern horizon and, as the locals know, Mother Nature provides some spectacular shows. Here’s one to share:

Posted under Beaches, Nature

Ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Nov. 12, 10:00 a.m.

Walton County District 5 Commissioner Cecilia Jones and neighborhood leaders of Driftwood Estates in Santa Rosa Beach will officially open the new Driftwood Estates County Park on Thursday, November 12 at 10:00 a.m.  The ceremony will be located on the grounds of the new 10-acre park located on East Shipwreck Road in Santa Rosa Beach.
Construction of the $181,167 park began in April of 2008 and includes a basketball court, multi-use field, playground, restrooms, three pavilions with barbecue grills and a perimeter walking path.  Private contributions funded fifty percent of the construction costs, and the park will be open to the general public from sunrise to sunset.
Directions:
From the intersections of Highway 98 and U.S. Highway 331, take Highway 98 west towards Miramar Beach.  Take right onto Mack Bayou Road.  Take left at next stop sign onto Harborview Road.  Turn right onto East Shipwreck Road.  Park will be a few hundred yards down on the left.

Posted under Outdoor Family Fun, Parks

This will be a public meeting of the Board of County Commissioners

Leaders of the Walton County Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board will be providing tours of  the coastal dune lakes on Wednesday, October 28th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. County Commissioners and other legislators have been invited.    The tour begins at the South Walton Courthouse Annex at 31 Coastal Centre Boulevard, Santa Rosa Beach, and the public is invited to caravan with officials as the tour proceeds to select coastal dune lakes along the Walton County coastline. Read More…

Posted under Nature

Learn about the hunters in the sky

Thursday, Nov. 12 at 4 p.m.

Come and join an exciting indoor interpretive on the birds that deserve respect.  Learn about owls, ospreys, hawks, and more interesting hunters in the sky.

Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short walk to the clubhouse.  A $3.00 park entrance fee is required.
For more information about Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, go to www.floridastateparks.org/topsailhill
Outside tours canceled during severe weather. Call 850-267-8330 for more information. To read a story and view a video about Topsail: click here

Posted under Birding, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks