Named for its eponymous coastal dune lake – a body of water that sits inland from the Gulf, but is connected to it – this park is rich in scrub oaks, magnolia trees, palmetto copses and wildflowers. A boardwalk path makes for a delightful means of observing all of the above.
Deer Lake State Park
Gulf Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.02 MILES
Offshore from St Andrews State Park, this sandy 'desert' island is fantastic for sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling. There are neither facilities nor…
5.22 MILES
An 1133-acre stretch of marble-colored dunes rolling down to the water's edge, this state park's beauty is genuinely mind-blowing. The park sits nestled…
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
29.82 MILES
This park features one of Florida's loveliest and least touristed springs. The spring has clear, almost luminescent waters, like something from a fairy…
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
12.95 MILES
There's some 1640 acres of natural beauty to discover at Topsail, including quiet white-sand beaches, sun-battered wetlands, sand pine scrub forest, a 2.5…
22.48 MILES
Our favorite beach area in Destin is this state park, which includes a 0.8-mile nature trail. There are also some excellent beachside campsites ($30),…
21.26 MILES
Although all of Destin's beaches are family-friendly, this beach is maybe a little more family-friendly, given the presence of restrooms, a picnic area…
29.55 MILES
This sub-section of gorgeous Gulf Islands National Seashore includes parking, beach access and a picnic area.
23.56 MILES
This peaceful 1260-acre park is graced with nature trails, swimming beaches and wildlife, including foxes, coyotes, snakes, seabirds and alligators (fear…
Nearby Gulf Coast attractions
4.74 MILES
This is one of the larger beach access points in South Walton. Inlet Beach itself is hugged by high dunes and old-school A-frame houses, both of which you…
5.14 MILES
Inland from 30A on a peninsula jutting into Choctawhatchee Bay, manicured gardens and lawns front the 1800s estate home of the Wesleys, a wealthy Florida…
5.22 MILES
An 1133-acre stretch of marble-colored dunes rolling down to the water's edge, this state park's beauty is genuinely mind-blowing. The park sits nestled…
7.87 MILES
Towering a cloud-kissing (if by cloud-kissing we mean fog) 64ft-high, 'Blue Mountain' is supposedly the highest point on the pancake-flat Gulf Coast. Be…
11.06 MILES
Simply one of the more pleasant beaches along South Walton, Dune Allen is a family-friendly slice of sand that's great for the kids, or adults who just…
11.95 MILES
Owned by the Institute of Diving, this museum takes a close look at the sport. Interactive exhibits let you crank up a Siebe pump, climb into a Beaver…
7. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
12.95 MILES
There's some 1640 acres of natural beauty to discover at Topsail, including quiet white-sand beaches, sun-battered wetlands, sand pine scrub forest, a 2.5…
18.61 MILES
Designed to look like an upside-down building (complete with an upside-down lawn and palm trees), this wacky interactive museum and fun center is…