Fish, hike, paddle and enjoy wildlife along the coastal dune lakes of South Walton

Walton County is well known for its beautiful beaches and great fishing. Less known to those that have never visited the area, are the unique and scenic coastal dune lakes that dot the coastline along the area’s beach dune systems.

Nestled along Scenic Highway 30A, Walton county’s coastal dune lakes are rare geological features that only occur in the Florida Panhandle, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the northern Pacific coast of the United States.

Streams, groundwater seepage and rain are the sources that feed the coastal dune lakes. Storm surge creates intermittent connections to the Gulf of Mexico, called outfalls. This periodic connection empties lake water into the Gulf, and, depending on tides and weather, salt water and organisms from the Gulf flow back into the lakes.

In addition to their unique form, the coastal dune lakes are among the most picturesque places in Florida. Local state parks; Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, Deer Lake State Park and Camp Helen State Park offer beautiful vistas where one can view the lakes nestled in the sand dunes. The lake outfalls provide great birding opportunities.

Recreational activities along the coastal dune lakes include kayak/canoe paddling, stand up paddle boarding, bird watching and both salt and freshwater fishing. Fishing is typically fresh water, however salt-water species can be found in the lakes as well. Bream, bass, pan fish, catfish, redfish, flounder, speckled trout and mullet are commonly caught.

A Florida fishing license is required to fish on the coastal dune lakes. It is recommended purchasing a combo fresh/salt water fishing license issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). To buy licenses online, click here.

Walton County does not allow jet propelled watercraft (Jet Skis) on any coastal dune lake. However, Lake Powell, which is primarily located in Bay County does. All lakes allow motorized boats except Topsail Hill Preserve, which does not allow any type of boat, kayak or canoe except their kayak, canoe and stand up paddle board rentals on Campbell Lake. Click here for a downloadable guide to the lakes.

Several of the lakes are surrounded by private property, as homes have been developed around many of the lakes. The lakes themselves are public property, however it can be confusing where one can attain public access.

There are many public access points to the coastal dune lakes and parking is at a premium at many locations.

Below is a list of access information and recreational activity available on the area’s coastal dune lakes.

Public access points on Walton County’s coastal dune lakes

Fuller Lake: No public access, lake is located within the Coffeen Nature Preserve at the Four Mile Village community. Call for guided tour. (850) 622-3700.

Morris, Fuller, and Campbell Lakes: These two lakes along with an unnamed lake are located within Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. The park currently does not permit any private vessels on Morris Lake, however offers canoe, kayak and stand up paddle board rentals on Campbell Lake. Rentals are $35/ 1/2 day and $55/ full day. Hiking, fishing, bird watching. ::MAP::

Stallworth Lake: No public access.

Allen Lake: Limited access along Scenic Hwy. 30A. Hiking, fishing, bird watching.
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Alligator Lake: Very limited access along Scenic Hwy. 30A (steep incline). Fishing, bird watching, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding.
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Western Lake: Western Lake is the most explored coastal dune lake in Walton County. Grayton Beach State Park offers adequate parking and boat ramp facilities within the park. The park also offers canoe rentals. There is a County boat ramp at the end of Hotz Ave., in Grayton Beach with limited parking.  Fishing, bird watching, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding.
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Eastern Lake: County park on the corner of Lakewood Drive and Lakeview Drive offers adequate parking, picnic tables, grill and boat launch. Fishing, bird watching, kayaking/canoeing/paddle boarding.
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Deer Lake: Deer Lake State Park offers a scenic boardwalk to the beach. Deer Lake can be accessed from the beach. Hiking, fishing, bird watching.
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Lake Powell: Lake Powell is located predominately in Bay County. Heading east on U.S. Hwy. 98, cross over bridge into Bay County, turn left at Publix and the entrance to the Bay County park and boat ramp facility will be on the left. Camp Helen State Park also offers a scenic vista for bird watching, hiking and fishing. There are no boat launch areas at Camp Helen beyond kayaks/canoes/stand up paddleboards. Fishing, bird watching, boating, kayaking/canoeing/stand up paddle boarding, personal watercraft.
Camp Helen State Park: ::MAP::
Lake Powell public access: ::MAP::

To learn more about Walton County’s coastal dune lakes, contact Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance at basinalliance.org