South Walton encompasses 26 miles of sugar-white beaches with turquoise waters and 16 beach neighborhoods. The landscape also includes 15 coastal dune lakes. They average about five feet deep, are important habitats with biodiversity, and are natural estuaries between the Gulf and the higher-lying land. The beach, water, and inland landscape offer different perspectives on the region.
Nature Trails and Landscapes
Point Washington State Forest covers 15,000 acres. More than 27 miles of trails wind through coastal scrub, wet prairie, swamp, and longleaf pine flatwoods. A longer route through the center of the forest is the eight-mile Longleaf Pine Greenway Trail. The 30A Trail also runs through the same state forest and connects with the Eastern Lake Trail and the 30A corridor. The Point Washington Wildlife Management Area encompasses sandhills, titi swamps, wet prairie, and cypress swamps—a different range of habitats within the region’s natural attractions.
Extensive trail systems also run around the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, through the plantation. The Center offers courses and interpretive exhibits; its course and exhibit offerings may change.
Beach, Birdwatching, and Water
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has more than 15 miles of trails for birdwatching, both inland and along the coast. It also has three miles of white-sand beach, lined with dunes over 25 feet high. Deer Lake State Park offers a different scale: its 1.5-mile nature trail is across from the park entrance on County Road 30-A. A boardwalk leads over the dunes to a beach used for picnicking, swimming, and fishing. Together, the longer birdwatching trails and the shorter nature trail ending at the beach offer different experiences.
On Western Lake in Grayton Beach State Park, you can canoe, try stand-up paddleboarding, or kayak. At Morrison Springs Park, large boardwalks offer views of the springs; the park also has a diving platform. Near Paxton, Lake Jackson offers more opportunities on the water: boating, fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding are available there. In Freeport, boating, fishing, and stand-up paddleboarding are available on Choctawhatchee Bay; Grady Brown Park provides access for canoeing.
History and Culture in DeFuniak Springs
In DeFuniak Springs, the Historic District Tour offers a glimpse into the city’s history; the self-guided tour begins at 1162 Circle Drive. The renovated depot building is now home to the Walton County Heritage Museum. It features artifacts, photographs, and stories from early settlement through the present day. The Walton DeFuniak Library was founded in 1886 and continues to operate as a library in its original building. Check visitor access separately. The Florida Chautauqua Resort/Campus Grounds are also part of the area’s historic character: they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
LakeFest is an annual festival in DeFuniak Springs that focuses on recreational activities on Lake DeFuniak. Dates and programming vary by edition. The 2026 edition included kayaking and canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, a cardboard boat race, and hydroflight and wakeboarding demonstrations. The Walton County Fair has been a Walton County tradition since 1924. At the Walton County Farmers Market, you’ll find fresh local produce and handmade goods from producers and artisans in the county.
More Contrasts and Getting Around
At Eagle Springs, golf comes with a longer history: the Eagle Springs Golf and Recreation Center offers an 18-hole course. The original nine-hole layout from the 1920s is still used as the front nine. Near Paxton, Britton Hill rises 345 feet above sea level; trails offer an opportunity for a scenic hike.
For getting around South Walton: the region lies along Emerald Coast Parkway about 25 miles south of I-10, and several neighborhoods are directly on Scenic Highway 30A. South Walton is also about 35 miles from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport and Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport. Check road conditions before you travel. When choosing your accommodation, these regional highlights can help you tailor your search to the coast, nature trails, or culture.
Discover more destinations: Miramar Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Defuniak Springs.
More destinations: Gulf County, Nassau, Collier, Pinellas, Polk.
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