Those same white quartz dunes are responsible for a rare coastal ecosystem—freshwater dune lakes—which teem with aquatic wildlife. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes and wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge here, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants.
Lakes, three miles of pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise
Experiences
Bicycling
Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along a paved road that leads to the beach or to Campbell Lake. While the park store is temporarily closed, bike rentals are available between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. outside the administration building.
State law requires riders under the age of 16 to wear a properly fitted bike helmet.
Birding
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has more than 15 miles of trails for viewing a variety of birds both inland and along the shore. Visitors can see red shouldered hawks, eastern bluebirds, red cardinals and ospreys as well as threatened snowy plovers and piping plovers. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Camping
The Gregory E Moore RV Resort campground has 156 RV sites with water, 30 or 50 amp electric, digital cable, sewer, (non-heated) swimming pool, laundry facilities and shuffleboard courts. Bathrooms with showers are heated and cooled. Big rigs are welcome. The campground has an "all" HD Digital cable system. Your TV must be digital-ready and have a QAM tuner to receive cable reception. Pets are welcome at the RV sites. Check the Pet Policy for more details.
Twenty-two tent sites include an elevated tent pad, a fire ring and water and electric hook-ups. A restroom with showers is located in the tent camping area.
The park also has thirty - two cabins/bungalows available for rent.
Maximum RV length = 45 ft. Please note that not all RV sites are able to handle this length. Double check the site length during your reservation process.
Reservations: Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287.
Campers can bike, walk or take a tram ride to the beach. There is still a Wi-Fi hotspot located outside the park store courtesy of the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
Paddling
Visitors can kayak or paddleboard on the Gulf of Mexico. Personal watercraft (canoes, kayaks and paddleboards as well as accessories - PFDs, paddles etc) cannot be used in the park because of the possibility of introducing exotic plants into the dune lake. Rentals are temporarily unavailable while the park store is closed.
Fishing
Try your luck on our excellent fishing spots. Enjoy fresh water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. These lakes are full of many types of freshwater fish including bass, pan fish and freshwater catfish. The 3.2 mile stretch of secluded beach is excellent for saltwater fishing. Catch a pompano, red fish, Spanish or king mackerel.
A fishing license may be required for fresh and saltwater fishing.
Geo-Seeking
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed. The park has a special thirteen waypoint geocache program and you can pick up the coordinates at the Ranger Station.
Operation Recreation GeoTour
Hiking
There are over 15 miles of marked hiking trails within the park. The Beach Tram trail and the Campbell Lake Bike trail are both paved, making them perfect for a beautiful bike ride amongst the Long Leaf pine trees. The No Name Lake trail takes you to the smallest of the coastal dune lakes in the park. The Turpentine trail allows you to witness remnants of the turpentining industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. On the Gopher Tortoise trail you will see saw palmettos, Long Leaf Pine trees all living where the gopher tortoises roam. Along the Deer Track trail you will see Campbell Lake, a rare coastal dune lake, as well as carnivorous plants. The Old Growth trail reaches the far western portions of the park. Morris Lake trail meanders through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Along this trail you can see remnants of the JB-2 rocket development program during WWII.
To access all trails, enter the park at 7525 W. County Hwy 30, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. All trail heads start at the day use parking lot and split off as you walk further in to the park. Make sure to pick up a trail map at the ranger station. Please be safe and take a cell phone, hat, sunscreen, bug spray and plenty of water with you so you can fully enjoy your beautiful walk through the park.
Picnicking
Enjoy a picnic at one of our picnic tables scattered throughout the day use area, as well as two small picnic pavilions located at Campbell Lake. Picnics at the beach are also an enjoyable way to spend the day. To better enjoy the beach picnicking experience, please remember that glass containers, alcohol and pets are not allowed.
Swimming
Swim in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches. Swim at your own risk as lifeguards are not provided.
Wildlife Viewing
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches and lakes for viewing wildlife, including birds, reptiles and mammals. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.
Amenities
Cabins
There are 16, “no two are the same,” one bedroom bungalows that accommodate up to four people. There is a Queen sized bed in the bedroom for two people as well as a sleeper sofa in the living area for an additional two people. Each unique bungalow is fully furnished and equipped with all appliances, cable TV and initial set of linens. Each bungalow has a carport, full kitchen, bathroom, dining area and living room.
There are 16 cabins accommodating up to six people with two bedrooms and two baths, full kitchen and a living/dining area. One bedroom has a queen size bed, one bedroom has two (2) twin beds. There is a queen size pull out sofa in the living area. Cabin amenities include a screened porch, picnic table and grill. The initial set of linens is provided.
Phones are not provided. A Wi-Fi hotspot is located around the administration building as a courtesy service provided by the Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.
Reservations up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book Online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins or bungalows.
There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights.
Amphitheater
The amphitheater is located centrally in the campground and is used for interpretive programs year round. Please contact the ranger station for more details.
Beach
Swim, sun, beachcomb for sea beans and watch shorebirds along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches with the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping on the shore. A tram running every two hours starting at 9 a.m. will take you to the beach or if you choose you can walk or bike a half-mile along the path to the beach.
Pets
Pets are allowed and must be well behaved and on a six-foot leash at all times. Pets while on a six foot or smaller leash may enjoy any of the 15 miles of hiking trails within the park. Pets are not allowed in cabins/ bungalows. Pets are also not allowed on the beach, tram or boardwalks or in buildings, the dunes or lakes/ponds.
Picnic Pavilion
The park offers two small pavilions for use which are located at Campbell Lake for visitors to enjoy. Visitors must enter through the main park entrance off of Hwy 30-A and hike to the picnic area.
Playground
Visitors will find a small outdoor playground in the campground area near the tent camping area.
Shower Station
There are outdoor showers for rinsing off after a day at the beach near the beach bathhouse at the end of the tram path.
Visitor Center
To receive information on the park and local attractions, come to our visitor area located in the Ranger Station at the main park entrance.