Park Summary for Print - Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Three beach umbrellas line the white sandy beach.

Welcome to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

This park offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. Although boats are not allowed, fishing from the shoreline yields bass, bream, panfish, and catfish. Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on our timely tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb. Gregory E. Moore RV resort features a (non-heated) swimming pool and shuffleboard courts. Furnished bungalows are available for weekly stays. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks. Located in Santa Rosa Beach on Route 30A, one mile off U.S. 98.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, please call 850-267-0299.

Book Your Vacation Spot Now!

Get more information on making a reservation.

Hours of Operation

8:00 AM to sunset

Driving Directions

Located in Santa Rosa Beach 10 miles east of Destin, FL. Take Interstate 10 to Exit 85 (Defuniak Springs) and follow U.S. Highway 331 south. Travel 27 miles to U.S. Highway 98. Turn right and travel approximately 5 miles west to scenic Highway 30A. Turn left and go ¼ mile to the entrance on the right.

Park Fees

Admission Fees - Honor $2.00 per vehicle (HWY 98 and HWY 30-A)
Pedestrians, Bicyclists, extra Passengers, Passengers in vehicles with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit - Admission Fee $1.00
Bungalow - All Year, minimum one week rental
Weekly Fee $690.00
Monthly Fee $1,320.00
Camping Fee
All Year $38.00 plus tax per night
There is currently no tent camping allowed

Activities at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

	Beaches 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 2 hours starting at 9 AM will take you to the beach or if you choose you can walk or bike a half-mile along the path to the beach.
	Bicycling Come and enjoy a beautiful ride along our half-mile stretch of paved road that leads to the beach. Riders may conveniently access the newly paved county path along Hwy 30A into the park. Please remember state law requires riders under the age of 16 must wear a properly fitted bike helmet.
	Cabins/Lodging Bungalows are located within Gregory E. Moore RV campgrounds near the tram stop and are available for weekly or monthly rental. Each bungalow is fully furnished and equipped with all appliances, cable TV, and linens. Our one-bedroom bungalows have additional sleeping of a fold out couch. Each bungalow has a carport, full kitchen, bathroom, living room and utility room.
	Concessions Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has a small concession located in the park office for campers and visitors. The small store has basic recreation and camping items for your convenience.
	Facilities Located in our day-use area parking lot off of Hwy. 30A, there is a tram station along with picnic tables and ADA restrooms. Our campground has two large ADA bath houses and a laundry facility. There is an ADA restroom near our beach boardwalk at the end of the tram road. The park has an internet connection located on the clubhouse porch across from the park office.
	Fishing Try your luck on our excellent fishing spots. Enjoy fish 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. License is required for fresh and saltwater fishing. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Full Facility Camping The Gregory E Moore RV Resort has 156 sites with water, 30 or 50 amp electric, cable, sewer, (non-heated) swimming pool, laundry and shuffleboard courts. Bathhouses are heated and cooled. Big rigs welcome.
	Guided Tours Topsail Hill offers ranger programs on Saturdays for all visitors to enjoy. Please see our Ranger Program section.
	Nature Trails Explore our Morris Lake Nature Trail as it meanders 2.5 miles through ancient dunes and scrub communities. Along this trail you can see old remnants of iron tracks can be seen from the first WWII missile development program in the U.S. Hikers can also enjoy miles of abandoned jeep trails within the park. Along Campbell Lake Nature Trail, enthusiasts may discover a diverse array of plants and animals covering an area of over 5 miles.
	Pavilion The beach located off of Hwy 98 has a small picnic pavilion for visitors to enjoy.
	Pets Pets are allowed at Topsail Hill and must be well behaved and on a six-foot leash at all times.
	Picnic Areas Enjoy a picnic under our picnic pavilions located at the end of Topsail Road and near the beach boardwalk.
	RV Camping Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent RV camping for visitors to enjoy. There are 156 sites with full hook-ups, including sewer, electric, cable, and water.
	Showers There are outdoor showers for rinsing off after a day at the beach near the beach bathhouse at the end of the tram path.
	Swimming Swim in the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico anywhere along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches. Lifeguards are not available.
	Visitor Center Come to our visitor center located at the main office in the campground off of Hwy 30A and receive information on the park and local attractions.
	Wildlife Viewing Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches, and lakes to view wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. Topsail Hill Preserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail

Special Events for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

BREAKFAST WITH A RANGER
Date: Saturday, Sept 13th from 9:00am to 10:30am
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be having Breakfast with a Ranger. Join the Rangers of Topsail Hill and ask them all the questions you can think of about park wildlife. This program is family oriented and ideal for the whole family to enjoy. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse. A $2.00 entry fee is required.
Fees: To cover the cost of food please bring $3, which goes to Friends of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park to enhance the park or bring your own breakfast.
Contact: (850)267-0299
READ A CHILDREN'S BOOK WITH AUTHOR PAUL LOWERY
Date: Wednesday, Sept 17th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be celebrating Literacy Month on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. Join us as Author Paul Lowery and children will read together his book, 'Do You Know Where the Sea Turtles Go?' This event is great for children and is family oriented. Mr. Lowery and State Park Rangers will have interpretive aids and present a short program on sea turtles afterwards and be available for questions. Come and join the fun. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take a short hike to the campfire circle
Fees: Park entrance fee waived for participants.
Contact: (850)267-0299
COASTAL CLEANUP
Date: Saturday, September 20th from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Topsail Hill Preserve State Park will be holding an International Coastal Clean-Up Day on September 20, 2008 from 8:00AM to 10:00AM. All ages are welcome to participate in this beach clean-up of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Come and join the fun and help protect the wildlife and clean the beaches. Free t-shirts will be given to each participant. Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A and take the tram to the beach.
Fees: Park entrance free for participants
Contact: (850) 267-0299

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Ranger Programs

TOPSAIL TOURS YEAR-ROUND
Call the park or check the website for fees, schedules, and location. Join a park ranger for interesting interpretive programs offered Saturday mornings. We offer a wide variety of programs throughout the year on the following topics: Fishing in the Surf, Butterfly Walk, Shorebird Safari, Bombs Away, Sea Turtles, Turpentine, Wildlife Puppet Show, The Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse, Freshwater Fishing, Native Medicinal Plants, Snakes and Beyond, Learning About Burning, Beachcombing, Flint Knapping, Sharks, Coastal Dune Lakes, Ecosystems of Topsail, Birds of Prey, and Alligators.
Call (850)267-0299 for more details.
EXOTIC PLANTS OF FLORIDA
Saturday, September 6, 2008 9:00AM Come and join the fun as Park Ranger Chris Roberts as he discusses the devastation that exotic plants have on Florida. He will talk about identification of them and how to keep your yard free of them. Park at the Day-Use area off HWY 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Call (850)267-0299 for more details.
DOLPHINS
Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:00AM Come bring the family for a good time and learn all about Dolphins. Learn about their habitat, what they eat, myths and obstacles they face everyday. Park at the Day-Use area off HWY 30A. Take a short walk to the clubhouse.
Call (850)267-0299 for more details.
ANCIENT SEA TURTLES
Saturday, August 30th at 9:00AM The majestic sea turtles are gearing up for another reproductive season. Learn the facts about common sea turtles at Topsail. Be a part of an enlightening program and see what you can do to help preserve these awe inspiring creatures of the sea. Park at the Day-Use area off HWY 30A and take a short hike to the clubhouse.
Call (850)267-0299 for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions about Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Question: How far in advance can reservations be made?
Answer: They can be made 11 months prior to arrival.

Question: How close is the beach?
Answer: It is one mile.

Question: Are pets allowed?
Answer: Yes, as long as they are kept on a leash and picked up after.

Question: How cold does it get in the winter?
Answer: It varies as it does everywhere. The average temperature for this area during the winter months is 62 degrees.

Question: How big are your RV sites?
Answer: Most of our sites will hold up to a 40’ rig and have some privacy.

Question: Do you have both 30 and 50 amp electrical service?
Answer: Yes, all but 10 sites have both.

Question: Do you have an Internet access for guests?
Answer: Yes.

Question: Do I need a license to fish?
Answer: Yes. Fishing license can be purchased, locally, within 1 mile.

Question: What do your Woodall and Trailer Life ratings mean?
Answer: Woodall’s rating is based on many criteria within the park, such as, type of facilities, cleanliness, maintenance, and many more to numerous to mention. Trailer Life’s rating is based on completeness and quality of facilities, cleanliness and physical characteristics of restrooms and showers, visual appeal and environmental qualities.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park History

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is named for the tallest dune in the Preserve. When viewed from the Gulf the tallest dune resembles a ship’s Topsail.

The preserve was purchased in 1992 and the RV resort was added in 1998. Funds to buy this property came from the Conservation Acquisition of Recreation Lands (CARL) program, also known as Forever Florida. In total Topsail Hill Preserve encompasses 1,637 acres. Topsail was purchased because of it’s unique natural ecosystems, 14 in all including freshwater coastal dune lakes, wet prairies, scrub, pine flatwoods, marshes, cypress domes, seepage slopes and 3.2 miles of sparkling white sand beaches. In fact Topsail Hill is the most intact coastal ecosystem in Florida.

When Europeans entered the area they started logging and gathering turpentine from pine trees. There was a little settlement here called the “Quarters” which was a turpentine camp. Turpentine was very important for ship maintenance in the days when ships where the main means of transportation. Turpentining is hard labor. A deep V or cat face is cut into the side of a tree to induce the flow of sap where it is the gathered in a pot hung from a nail in the tree. The sap is then boiled and the evaporative turpentine collected. Many of these trees with the cat faces still evident are found in the preserve.