Unlimited Activities

The Great Outdoors Await in Walton County

Story and photography courtesy of Walton County Tourism

From state parks and forests to quaint back streets, biking and hiking will carry you through all of South Walton’s natural beauty. There are plenty of opportunities for exploration here, whether by getting active or simply exploring the area’s sixteen unique beach neighborhoods. Kayak or stand-up paddleboard on one of the rare coastal dune lakes. Take a lesson at the Golf Academy at Sandestin or relax on an open-air patio at a local microbrewery like Idyll Hounds Brewing Company. At the end of the day, kick back at a beach bonfire, made simple by companies such as Pirate’s Life and 30A Blaze.

ON THE WATER

Adventure awaits out on the Gulf through exciting offshore trips and inshore charters with seasoned fishing guides such as Grayton Girl, Strictly Business, and Lil Lucky. Just to the north, the Choctawhatchee Bay offers plenty of additional angling. There’s also the fun option of surf fishing, where outfitters bring all the supplies, and non-fishers can watch from a seat on the beach.

If you’re more into communing with the water, check out kayaking or paddleboarding. Walton County is well-equipped to accommodate this, as it’s interconnected by amazing bodies of water, including rivers, bays, and, of course, the Gulf. Kayaking is a quick and nimble exploration method, allowing you to maneuver easily in and out of tight spaces. Spend an afternoon paddling along local rivers or winding your way through the incredibly biodiverse cypress swamps. Butterfly Bike & Kayak in Seagrove has a nice selection of rentals, making it easy to get what you need and get going.

Alternatively, hop on a stand-up paddleboard and take a spin on one of the area’s coastal dune lakes. These scarce bodies of water are found only in a handful of locales worldwide, including Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand. The glass-like surface offers an ideal vantage point for spotting unique local wildlife and plants. When you’ve become obsessed with water adventure and are in the market for new gear, BŌTE in Grayton Beach has paddleboards, kayaks, skiffs, and more for sale. Adventure 30A and YOLO Board also sell equipment and provide rentals and guided tours.

For those with S.C.U.B.A. certification, Morrison Springs, just east of DeFuniak Springs, offers one of Florida’s most unique diving experiences. The main spring-fed pool is two hundred fifty feet in diameter and has crystal-clear water for optimal visibility. Three cavities for underwater exploration exist, the deepest of which is three hundred feet and leads to an underground chamber that has yet to be fully measured.

ON THE TRAIL

From state parks and forests to quaint back streets, biking and hiking will carry you through all of South Walton’s natural beauty. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is home to stunning beaches and twenty-five-foot rolling dunes. The 18.6-mile Timpoochee Trail provides a free-flowing connection between these unique beach neighborhoods. Check out places like YOLO and 30A Electric Bike Co. to get set up with all the gear you need to start cruising.

ON THE LINKS

From the sugar-white beaches to north of the Choctawhatchee Bay, Walton County is home to a wide variety of championship golf courses that welcome all experience levels.

Challenge yourself on championship links at modern golf and beach resorts or at a classic course on Florida’s Historic Golf Trail. Each course incorporates unique elements of the diverse terrain, allowing you to fully interact with these stunning natural landscapes.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort gives you access to four championship courses from iconic designers Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Rees Jones, and Tom Jackson—including Links Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, Raven Golf Club, and Burnt Pine Golf Club. In all, you can explore seventy-three holes (you’ll have to play The Raven to discover the seventy-third). These courses offer spectacular views of the Choctawhatchee Bay, marshes, wetlands, and pine forests.

Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club boasts eighteen holes of “The Purest Golf in the Florida Panhandle,” according to Golf Magazine. Established in 1969, the course is designed perfectly for walking, as it meanders through beautiful natural wildlife habitats and native areas. It boasts some of the only elevation changes in the area and takes golfers within a few hundred yards of the Gulf. The course and club recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation unveiled in 2021.

Located within Seascape Resort, the 6,100-yard, par-70, championship Seascape Golf Course was designed by famed course architect Joe Lee. It showcases eighteen immaculate greens and contoured fairways that wind through lush, tall pine forests. The course is also situated among freshwater and coastal dune lakes, with breathtaking views of the Gulf from many holes.

Curious about finding an exclusive membership? Watersound Club offers access to three incredible golf courses, each of which has won prestigious awards and been named to top lists. Enjoy the quiet solitude of the challenging Camp Creek Golf Course, where the well-manicured turf of the undulated fairways blends perfectly with the surrounding native plants. With an undeniable balance of nature and design, the Greg Norman-designed Shark’s Tooth Golf Course is one of forty golf clubs worldwide that have been recognized as an Audubon International “Silver Signature Sanctuary” member. And the Origins Course is a par-three Scottish-style course ideal for new golfers and family play.

In Authentic Walton, Eagle Springs Golf Course in DeFuniak Springs has been a mainstay in Walton County for the past ninety-four years and is on Florida’s Historic Golf Trail. Despite a name change in 2019, it still retains the same charm as when it was founded in 1924. Golf teams from all the local schools use it for their practices and tournaments. In addition to the eighteen-hole golf course, the 194 acres of surrounding land feature five beautiful spring-fed lakes.

Windswept Dunes Golf Club is home to a dramatic landscape with rolling fairways and white dunes on each hole. Player-friendly features include fairways that are often wide and generous off the tee. However, that’s not to say the course lacks a sporting obstacle. Occasional water hazards lurk along the way, and approach shots must contend with the numerous bunkers guarding the large, smooth greens.

Blackstone Golf Course combines a peaceful backdrop with a challenging design. Carved through beautiful, rolling terrain, it includes unique elevation changes and slanted fairways. The staff here strongly emphasizes service and is steadily working to improve the course.

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Learn more about the destination and all it has to offer at VisitSouthWalton.com.

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THE FISHERMAN’S GUIDE TO SOUTH WALTON

Welcome to a fisherman’s paradise! If you want to jump right in and catch the big one, this guide will get you casting and reeling in no time.

Do I Need a Fishing License?

If you’re over the age of sixteen and plan to saltwater fish here, you need a license, except if:

• You fish from a for-hire vessel with a valid vessel license.
• You fish during Free Fishing Days.
• You have a saltwater product or FWC charter captain license.

If you’re looking to freshwater fish, you’ll need a license unless you’re fishing on a private fishpond of twenty acres or less (or on a Free Fishing Day).

For more information, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website at MyFWC.com.

To buy a license, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.

Book Your Charter in Advance

With a knowledgeable guide, you’ll have the best possible fishing experience. Guides know precisely where to bring you to ensure you’ll catch the fish you’re after, and as noted above, you won’t need a fishing license if the boat is appropriately licensed. Find the right charter for you using travel review sites like TripAdvisor. Some charters even leave directly from Grayton Beach, so when you return, you can take your catch straight from the beach to your grill.

Whatever your fishing preferences or experience level, you’ll have the time of your life fishing in South Walton!

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