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Within its confines is Point Washington State Forest, a 15,000-acre tract purchased by the state in 1992.

Thus, eco-tourism is more than alive and well in Beaches of South Walton. It's an ideal location for bike riding, which includes the Eastern Lake Bike Trail.

Bicyclists also find it easy to traverse the scenic 30-A, which has a designated bike path.

Topsail Hill State Preserve, Grayton Beach State Recreation Area and Deer Lake State Park are must-sees. One of the most unspoiled pieces of coastal property in the state, Topsail's 1,600 acres affords gorgeous views of steep sand dunes, two freshwater

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coastal dune lakes (the only ones in the United States) and the calm aquamarine waters of the Gulf. Here, you might observe extremely rare plants/wildflowers or look skyward to a host of migratory or homeland birds.

Grayton Beach has long been on the "top beaches of the United States" list. For good reason. The stretch of beach in the 1,133 coastal acres is unparalleled in natural beauty. A self-guided nature trail offers visitors an up-close and personal look at the ecological variety in the area.
Deer Lake is South Walton's newest state park just east of Seagrove. North of 30-A, hikers can meander through unmarked trails chock full of native vegetation.

If you're lucky, you might nab Brad Pickel, the beach management coordinator for Beaches of South Walton. In an unprecedented move, the South Walton Tourist Development Council tapped Pickel to supervise beach nutrition to make certain the coastal area remains true to its ecological roots. Often found checking out the shoreline, Pickel will unabashedly share his enthusiasm and knowledge with visitors. He makes the perfect beach guide.
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