Explore the natural beauty of Campbell Lake at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

August 3, 2013

Water lilies along Campbell Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors
Water lilies along Campbell Lake. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Rent a kayak, canoe, stand up paddle board or take a guided tour

Campbell Lake at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is no doubt one of the most pristine coastal dune lakes in South Walton County. Carefully maintained by the Park, this close to 100-acre lake is host to amazing natural beauty. Surrounded by dunes and maritime forests, the lake is also home to an abundance of native flora.

Bald cypress, fragrant water lilies, spatterdock, and black needlerush can be found, along with floating hearts just offshore which make the waves appear to flash green. Tiny, purple carnivorous bladderworts pop up in the water near the lilies. American Wisteria can be found in two places along the lake, Panhandle meadow beauty endemic to the area can be found during lower water levels along the sandy shore, large-leaf jointweed can also be found along the upland sandy areas, along with a nice St. Johns Wort “forest” on the north shore.

Kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards are available for rent at the park along with a monthly interpretive offered by one of the rangers. No outside vessels are permitted as the park wants to be sure no invasive plants, seeds or other contaminants are introduced to the lake.

The interpretive tours will educate visitors on the ecosystems, flora and fauna according to ranger Chris Whittle.

“I customize my tours according to the visitors’ interest,” said Whittle.

Head over to Topsail and explore Campbell Lake, it’s the real deal.

A $6.00 entry admission per vehicle into the park. 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::

Learn more about Topsail at: Click here

For camping or cabin reservations click here. For more information about Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, or dates for the interpretive, call (850)267-8330.  For more info click here.