Park Summary for Print - Deer Lake State Park

The blue lake is separated from the gulf by large sand dunes.

Welcome to Deer Lake State Park

This park shares its name with the coastal dune lake within its boundaries. Coastal dune lakes are extremely rare worldwide and in the United States they occur only along the Gulf Coast. Southern magnolias, golden asters, woody goldenrod, and scrub oaks can be seen in this coastal dune habitat. Rare plants such as gulf coast lupine, spoonflower, pitcher plants, and Curtiss' sand grass-one of the largest populations found in Florida-are found in the park. Visitors may see splashes of color from summer wildflowers or some of the many species of resident or migratory birds and butterflies. A boardwalk across the dunes offers easy access to the beach where visitors can picnic, swim, and fish. It also offers a spectacular view of the dune ecosystem, one of 11 natural communities found in the park. Located on County Road 30A in Santa Rosa Beach.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Deer Lake State Park, please call 850-231-4210.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

The park is located on CR 30A in Santa Rosa Beach.

Park Fees

There are currently no admission fees associated with this park.

Activities at Deer Lake State Park

	Beaches Come and enjoy the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you bring your fishing gear or your beach chair you will be sure to enjoy the sugar sand beaches along the world’s most beautiful beaches.
	Bicycling Bring your bike or your favorite hiking shoes and enjoy the access to Walton County’s ten mile walking/biking trail that winds along the coast and goes through many picturesque seaside communities. For the more adventurous take the trails through the natural areas of the park where you can spend minutes or hours enjoying natural Florida.
	Fishing Fishing is allowed in designated areas Do you need a Fishing License?
	Hiking Bring your bike or your favorite hiking shoes and enjoy the access to Walton County’s ten mile walking/biking trail that winds along the coast and goes through many picturesque seaside communities. For the more adventurous take the trails through the natural areas of the park where you can spend minutes or hours enjoying natural Florida.
	Picnic Areas Picnic tables are available
	Swimming Swimming is available in designated areas
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible at this park

Special Events for Deer Lake State Park

There are no events listed at this time. Please call our park for more details on possible future events.

Deer Lake State Park History

Deer Lake State Park is a 1,920-acre facility named after a freshwater coastal dune lake within its boundaries. Trail access to the Gulf of Mexico opens to a magnificent dune field and to a pristine section of beach. The park contains 11 distinct natural communities including beach dune, mesic flatwoods, sandhill, scrub, basin swamp, depression marsh, dome swamp, coastal dune lakes, blackwater stream, estuarine tidal creek, and unconsolidated marine substrate. Blackwater streams are lined with spring azaleas. Summer wildflowers are seen around cypress domes throughout the sandhills and longleaf pine habitat.

The park boasts a diversity of plant and wildlife. Rare plant species include: Cruise’s golden aster on taller dunes inland from beach dune; infrequent Godfrey’s golden aster with sea oats on foredunes; gulf coast lupine in disturbances along paths in scrub and sandhills; frequent large-leafed jointweed in oak scrub; and spoonflower along basin swamps at Camp Creek.

Around the pond areas in the flatwoods and around streams are found: white top and yellow pitcher plants, rosebud orchid, grass pinks, sundews, pine lilies, and Curtiss’s sand grass. Some of the largest populations of Curtiss’s sand grass in Florida are found at Deer Lake.

Deer Lake State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of a beach, waterway or trail.