Grayton Beach consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Western Lake offers fishing and paddling, and those who want to explore on foot have four miles of trails to traverse through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias stand, bent and twisted by salt winds.
An overnight excursion yields its own unique experience with a stay in one of the well-outfitted cabins or a more rustic accommodation at one of Grayton’s cozy campgrounds. At nearly 2,000 acres, Grayton Beach State Park is more than a backdrop for golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings.
Experiences
Bicycling
The park has a 4.5 mile hiking/biking trail that will take you through the forest. Outside the park is the Walton County paved walking/bike path that runs the full length of County Road 30-A through all of the seaside villages of South Walton. Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
Birding
Grayton Beach State Park is one of the locations for the Great Florida Birding Trail. Shorebirds can be seen all along the beach. Bald Eagles, osprey, and other bird species are found through out the park.
Camping
Grayton Beach campground has 59 camping sites and is one of the nicest camping areas along the Gulf Coast. Each site comes with electricity and water; some sites have sewer hook-ups. Four sites are accessible. Bring your RV or tent and come enjoy a great camping experience. Pets are welcome in the campground. Rangers provide programs seasonally. Maximum RV length = 40 ft.
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.
Paddling
Explore the backwaters of Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake surrounded by the natural areas of the state park. Bring your own canoe or kayak, or rent a NuCanoe or kayak from the ranger station. NuCanoe and kayak rentals provided through the Friends of Grayton Beach and Deer Lake State Parks. NuCanoe and kayak rentals reasonably priced. Paddles and life vests are included with NuCanoe and kayak rental. Call the park office at (850) 267-8300 for rental rates.
Fishing
Both surf fishing and fishing on Western Lake are permitted with the proper license. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
Hiking
The park has a one-mile nature trail located at the beach parking area. This trail takes park visitors through the dune ecosystem, along the salt marsh, and circles back through the pine flatwoods. For the more adventurous park guest, the park has a 4.5-mile (9 mile round trip) hiking/biking trail that traverses through the forest and around the back waters of Western Lake.
Swimming
The park offers one of the state's most pristine beaches for swimming and sun bathing. There are no lifeguards -- please swim at your own risk.
Wildlife Viewing
Florida Black Bear, Deer, Grey Foxes, and numerous other animals and birds call Grayton Beach State Park home.
Amenities
Cabins
Grayton Beach cabins are nestled in the pine woods only minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico and a mile of sugar-white beaches. Cabins accommodate six people. Grayton Beach State Park offers 30 two-bedroom, one-bath duplex cabins, including two accessible cabins. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (available November through March), central heating and cooling, a kitchen with basic cooking and dining utensils, a screened in porch and an outdoor grill. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels are provided. Linens are not refreshed daily. Park guests should bring their own beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas. In most cabins, the front bedroom has a queen bed and the back bedroom has two twin beds. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted. For the guest's relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.
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. Pets are not permitted in cabins.
There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.
Accessible Amenities
Grayton Beach State Park is committed to providing a variety of accessible amenities to all of its visitors.
Those amenities include:
Accessible cabins
Accessible campsites
Beach Mobi-Mats
Beach wheelchair
Picnic pavilion and tables
Beach
Grayton Beach State Park has a mile of sugar white sandy beach that is great for sun bathing, swimming, surf fishing, and more. Both the day-use beach and the cabin beach are accessible via Mobi-Mat. The park offers a beach wheelchair. Please call the park ahead of time to make arrangements to use the beach wheelchair.
Picnic Pavilion
Grayton Beach offers picnic pavilions on a first-come, first-served basis. There are three pavilions located at the beach day-use area and two pavilions at the Western Lake boat ramp area. An accessible picnic table is located at the large beach day-use pavilion.
Pets
Domestic pets are permitted in designated day-use areas at ALL Florida State Parks. They must be kept on a handheld leash that is six feet or shorter and be well-behaved at all times. Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of their droppings. Pets are not permitted on beaches, playgrounds, bathing areas, cabins, cabin areas, park buildings or concession facilities. View our pet policy.
Boat Ramp
The boat ramp is the access to beautiful Western Lake. This is the launching spot for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and small engine/trolling motor boats. Jet propelled water craft are prohibited.
