Take a guided New Year’s Day hike at Grayton Beach, Topsail Hill Preserve, Eden Gardens, or Rocky Bayou State Park

December 26, 2013

firstdayhikesgrayton1

Celebrate America’s State Parks First Day Hikes at local park

Grayton Beach State Park – 1o a.m.: On Wednesday January 1st, 2014 celebrate America’s State Parks First Day Hike with Park Services Specialist Patrick Hartsfield at 10 a.m. for a 3 1/2 mile hike through the forest that is part of Grayton Beach State Park. Learn about the restoration projects going on behind the scenes as well as discover one of Walton County’s rare coastal dune lakes. Participants will meet at the park ranger station.

Admission is $5.00 per vehicle. Grayton Beach State Park is located at 357 Main Park Rd., Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. For more information, call: (850) 267-8300 ::MAP::

hikeTopsail Hill Preserve State Park: 3 – 4:30 p.m. This 3 mile round trip hike along our Campbell Lake trail will feature many of the ecosystems that make Topsail unique and will visit a globally imperiled rare coastal dune lake. This is an easy hike along a paved road in which all ages can participate.

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::

Eden Gardens State Park: 10 a.m.
Take a guided hike of Eden Gardens State Park with Park Service Specialist Dan and learn about the park’s features, living shoreline and plant life. Meet at the ranger station.
Eden Gardens State Park is located in Point Washington, off U.S. 98 on C.R. 395.
For more information, call (850) 267-8320.
181 Eden Garden Road, Point Washington, Fl. 32459 ::MAP::

rockyviewRocky Bayou State Park: 10 – 11 a.m.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park will host America’s State Parks First Day Hike on January 1st, 2014. Come join us to start the New Year out by getting fit and connecting with “The Real Florida.” The hike will be held on the Red Cedar Trail. The trail is one half mile long. The degree of difficulty for the hike is “easy”. Participants should meet at the Red Cedar pavilion at 10:00a.m.where the Park rangers will give a brief introduction. Along the way, staff will share their knowledge of native plants found in the park. Please dress for the weather and wear closed toe shoes.  Suggested items to bring include; water, camera, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Fees:  Park entrance fees are waived to participants.
Contact: (850) 833-9144
Directions:  Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is located off State Road 20 in Niceville.