Choose You Adventure

There’s no single way to experience the Emerald Coast—only the way you choose. Beyond the shoreline, a network of trails, paths, and waterways invites you to explore by bike, by foot, or by paddle.

From Fort Walton Beach to Panama City, each route offers a new perspective on this coastal landscape—where dunes, bays, and shaded paths turn every outing into an adventure.

Deemed one of the best Florida state parks for camping, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach is a paradise for hikers, bikers, paddlers, geocachers, and fishermen. Whether you choose to stay overnight or visit for the day, there’s much to explore from rare coastal dune lakes to sun-dappled pine forests, which are home to 13 at-risk species. The 3-mile loop, Topsail Hill Morris Lake Trail is the most popular trail for its ease accompanied by beautiful views of the beach. Head to Campbell Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake, to canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Coastal dune lakes are unique geographical features, with only a few present around the world. 

Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay is St. Andrews State Park in Panama City. For walkers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts, there are two half-mile trails at Heron Pond and Gator Lake. Follow Heron Pond Trail through a flatwood pine forest to Sandy Point. Gator Lake Trail provides a lakeside overlook where alligators and waterfowl can be viewed. Cycling is particularly popular at this park, with a 2-mile paved road cutting through the park providing glimpses of white-tailed deer as you speed past. Paddle, kayak, or canoe around Grand Lagoon, or take a boat across the channel to popular Shell Island. This park offers camping and lodging, and Panama City Beach and town proper are nearby. 

Henderson Beach State Park in Destin is known for its 30-foot dunes dotting the park’s shoreline. While walking on the dunes is prohibited, there’s plenty of beach to roam and a .75-mile nature trail that winds through a coastal scrub forest of shady oaks and offering overlooks throughout. As a bonus, leashed dogs are welcome on this trail. Additionally, there’s a 1-mile paved park road designated for bikes. 

Point Washington State Forest in Santa Rosa Beach is incredibly unique, featuring 10 different natural communities in one park, including sandhills, basin swamps, wet flatwoods, wet prairie, and cypress swamps. Trek and traverse through 27 miles of tranquil paths that vary from easy to moderate. All paths are walkable while also being open to off-road cyclists and horseback riders. The Eastern Lake Trail System is popular because it consists of three double-track loop trails. The hiker or biker can select the 3.5-, 5-, or 10-mile loop. On the trails, you’re likely to spot osprey and bald eagles soaring overhead. 

Yearly, Grayton Beach State Park in Grayton Beach is recognized and awarded for its beautiful beaches and access to Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake. Western Lake is a bucket list location for many paddleboard and kayak enthusiasts. If you prefer land over water, you can still view breathtaking views of Western Lake by foot or bike on the 9-mile round-trip trail that guides you through the coastal forest. 

Another state park known for its coastal dune lake is Deer Lake State Park in Santa Rosa Beach. A bit more secluded yet equally as beautiful, this park features two nature trails, Orange Trail which is a 1-mile loop through longleaf pines and Blue Trail, a half-mile boardwalk path over sand and coastal scrubs and ending at a scenic overlook. A paved bike path circles the lake for a pleasant mile. 

The region’s newest addition is the pedestrian path on Okaloosa Island. This 4.4-mile, 12-foot-wide, bridge-to-bridge path safely connects bikers and pedestrians from the Brooks Bridge to East Pass Park at the foot of the Destin Marler Bridge. The path came about as a means to provide safe transport for walkers and bikers along one of Okaloosa County’s most heavily trafficked roads, Highway 98. For those who wish to use the path in the evening, blue bioluminescent stones light the way.