Park Summary for Print - Grayton Beach

Pieces of silver-grey driftwood protrude from the sand.

Welcome to Grayton Beach

Golden in the morning sun, silvered by moonlight, Grayton Beach has consistently been ranked among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. The beach provides an idyllic setting for swimming, sunbathing, and surf fishing. Visitors can paddle a canoe or kayak on scenic Western Lake to get a closer look at a salt marsh ecosystem. A boat ramp provides access to the lake's brackish waters for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. A nature trail winds through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias, bent and twisted by salt winds, have an eerie "Middle Earth" look. Hikers and bicyclists can enjoy over four miles of trails through pine flatwoods; the trail begins across from the park entrance on Highway 30-A. Options for overnight stays include modern cabins and a full-facility campground. Located near the town of Grayton Beach on County Road 30A, south of U.S. 98.

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

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Hours of Operation

8:00 AM to sunset

Driving Directions

Grayton Beach State Park is located South of U.S. 98 appoximately halfway between Panama City Beach and Destin. Take county road 283 south of U.S. 98, turn left at the stop sign on 30A (approximately 1/2 mile east of the intersection of C.R. 30A and C.R. 283 our entrance will be found on the right).

Park Fees

Admission Fee $4.00 per vehicle
Pedestrians, Bicyclists, extra Passengers, Passengers in vehicles with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit - Admission Fee $1.00
Camping Fee All Year $19.00 plus tax
Cabin Fee All Year $110.00 plus tax

Activities at Grayton Beach

	Amphitheater Grayton has an Amphitheater adjoining the Campground. Ranger led interpretive programs are conducted on the lake peninsula during the summer months. See a Ranger for details.
	Beaches Lay out on our sugar sand beaches or swim in the emerald green water of the Gulf of Mexico and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Also be sure to enjoy a Grayton Beach sunset.
	Bicycling Bring your bike or your favorite hiking shoes to Grayton Beach and enjoy a four mile off road trail through acres of natural communities or hop on Walton County’s 10 mile walking, biking path along Scenic Hwy 30-A which winds along the coastline through our picturesque beachside communities.
	Boat Ramp A boat ramp is available on Western Lake.
	Cabins If the RV lifestyle is not for you, try out our duplex cabin area. The cabins are nestled in the pine woods but are only minutes away from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Cabins accommodate six (6) people. Grayton Beach State Park offers thirty (30) , two (2) bedroom, one (1) bath duplex cabins. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (available for use November through March), central heating and air conditioning, kitchen with all your basic cooking and dining needs, screened in porch and outdoor grill. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels are also provided. You will need to bring personal use items such as coffee, coffee filters, soap, shampoo, paper towels, etc. (Linen is not furnished on a daily basis). In most cabins, the front bedroom has a queen bed and the back bedroom has two (2) twin beds. Sorry, pets are not allowed. Two (2) vehicles per cabin are permitted. For the guests relaxation, televisions and phones are not provide in the cabins. Grayton Beach State Park also has two (2) ADA cabins for our special needs guests. Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance by calling Reserve America, toll free, at 1-800-326-3521 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST), 1-888-433-0287 (TDD) (For Hearing Disabled).
	Canoeing & Kayaking Bring your canoe or kayak and explore the backwaters of Western Lake a 100 acre lake surrounded by the natural areas of the State Park.
	Fishing Saltwater species are caught in the surf, while both fresh and saltwater fish are caught in the lake's brackish water. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Full Facility Camping Grayton Beach campground is one of the nicest camping areas along the Gulf Coast. The trees and shrubs between the sites let you imagine you are miles from civilization but with water, electric and a restroom with hot showers roughing it is never too tough. Bring your RV or tent and come enjoy a great camping experience.
	Nature Trails The Grayton Beach Nature Trail begins near the beach parking area and winds among sand dunes, pine flatwoods and scrub communities. It is interpreted by a self-guiding leaflet available at the ranger station.
	Pet Camping Pets must be confined, leashed (not to exceed six feet in length) or otherwise under the physical control of a person at all times. Tethered pets must not be left unattended for more than 30 minutes. Quiet hours must be observed from 11:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property. Failure to abide by these rules may result in the camper being asked to board the pet outside the park or to leave the campground.
	Picnicking A large picnic pavilion overlooking the Gulf waters is available.
	Showers Public showers are provided
	Swimming Swimming along the park's one mile of shoreline is very popular for visitors.
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible at this park

Special Events for Grayton Beach

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

Grayton Beach Ranger Programs

RANGER LED INTERPETIVE PROGRAM
Ongoing Ongoing Grayton Beach offers Ranger led interpretive programs and guided walks for our camping guests. Please check with the ranger station for dates and times. Whenever you meet a Ranger at our park always feel free to ask questions. We are always eager to assist our visitors and help them to better understand our highly valued natural resources.
Call 850-231-4210 for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Grayton Beach

Question: Do you sell firewood?
Answer: Yes. It is $5.00 a bundle at the main park entrance.

Question: Do you sell bags of ice?
Answer: Yes. It is $1.50 a bag at the main park entrance.

Question: Are the sites located at the beach?
Answer: Our campground sites are nested in the forests with some sites directly on Western Lake. Our cabins are nestled in the forest in a separate area from the main park. The cabins have a private boardwalk access to the beach for cabin guests.

Question: When will your bike and hike trail open and where is it located?
Answer: Just across the entrance from Grayton Beach on 30-A is a new hike and bike trail that will be opening Summer 2002. The trail is approximately 5 miles of trail for walking and biking located in the forest of Grayton Beach State Park that includes a Lake Loop with a scenic vista of Western Lake.

Question: Does your camp ground or cabins have TV?
Answer: No.

Question: Do your cabins have a phone?
Answer: No, but there is at phone at each cabin loop kiosk.

Question: Is there a meeting center at the cabins for group rentals?
Answer: No, however, each cabin has a living room space and an adjacent screened-in porch.

Question: How far is the nearest full service grocery store?
Answer: Either Sandestin or just inside Bay County. Both are about 10 miles away. There are smaller markets in Seagrove and Seaside.

Question: How far is the nearest laundry mat?
Answer: At this time the nearest laundry mat is over the bay bridge in Freeport.

Grayton Beach History

Obtained through a land lease from the Florida Board of Education in 1964, Grayton Beach State Park was dedicated and opened in 1968. The park receives it’s name from one of the oldest townships along the Gulf of Mexico. This 2228 acre park borders the township on all sides except the south to which the Gulf of Mexico holds title.

Grayton Beach 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.