06 Feb North Florida Scenic Highway 30A
There are scenic highways in Florida that are worth a road trip. Route 1 down through the Keys is my favorite, traveling over 100 miles from Key Largo to Key West. But I found a shorter trip in the Panhandle to offer plenty of sightseeing and some great spots to pull over and take in beautiful beaches, state parks, and shopping
Gypsum Sands Grayton Beach State Park
I’m talking about Scenic Highway 30A, running between Destin and Panama City. It’s only about 25 miles long, but it has lots to offer. To start with there is a paved biking and jogging trail, the Timpoochee Trail, that runs almost the entire length. Bikes, e-bikes, golf carts, and about anything on wheels can be found along the way.
In that short stretch of highway you will find three state parks. All have spectacular white quartz sand beaches, and two have campgrounds.
Topsail Hill Preserve
I particularly like the campground at Topsail Hill Preserve and Park. It has over 100 campsites for RV’s, and there is a separate loop of 16 sites reserved for tent campers. In reality tents can also be pitched on the RV sites if you like.
Grayton Beach State Park also has campgrounds. The sites are all nestled in a wooded area that provides good privacy between the sites.
Both Grayton and Topsail are crowded year-round, so you have to plan well in advance if you hope to score a campsite. Florida residents can reserve 11 months ahead, giving them a one month head start over out of state campers.
A Scenic Highways in Florida
Deer Lake Boardwalk
Deer Lake State Park doesn’t offer camping, but is often crowded with day trippers so the park will close when all the parking spaces are taken. But usually in the afternoon, as people leave, the gates will reopen.
30A features some great beach towns, all with different personalities. The planned community of Seaside is probably the best known for its quaint architecture and pastel cottages. The highway is lined with condos and residential communities.
Rosemary Beach and Seaside offer coastal refinement. Grayton Beach is more laid back and coastal comfortable. Blue Mountain Beach is highlighted with towering dunes (mountains?) and a laid back local vibe. Alys Beach is unique with its Mediterranean design and upscale dining and shopping.
30A’s culinary scene is another major part of its appeal. Restaurants along the route range from upscale dining rooms to casual beachfront grills. Seafood is the star of many menus, with fresh Gulf shrimp, grouper, snapper, oysters, and blue crab appearing in creative and traditional preparations. Farm-to-table dining is also common, and many restaurants emphasize locally sourced produce and artisanal ingredients. Whether visitors are looking for fine dining or a sunset meal on the sand, 30A delivers.
I have camped at Grayton Beach State Park, and scouted out the campground at Topsail Hill Preserve. To me Topsail offers the best camping because it has lots of tall tree cover. But motor vehicles are not permitted outside the campground. If you want to go to the beach you have to ride in a shuttle, which travels between the main parking lot and the beach access points.
Deer Lake and Grayton Beach state parks have lakes nestled in the dunes behind the beach. Kayak rentals are available. You can also paddle in scenic marsh lands at Grayton. Grayton also has a short hiking trail in the dunes away from the beach. Biking is just about anywhere, in the parks and on the trail along 30A. scenic highways in Florida
Sea Grass view of the Gulf
Despite its growing popularity, 30A maintains a relaxed pace. Much of the highway is two-lane, and the absence of high-rise condos helps preserve the area’s intimate charm. Many resorts and homes are designed to blend into the environment rather than dominate it. This sensibility has helped 30A avoid the overcrowded feel that often comes with coastal tourism. scenic highways in Florida
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