📅 When
October 27, 2026 – October 31, 2026
📍 Where
Multiple locations along Scenic Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
About this event
South Walton is home to 15 coastal dune lakes — a rare ecosystem found in only a handful of places on earth, including Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand. Every year during the last week of October, Walton County dedicates a full week to celebrating these geological wonders with guided tours, ranger-led programs, and family-friendly activities at Topsail Hill Preserve, Grayton Beach, Deer Lake, and Camp Helen State Parks.
Kayakers and paddleboarders love the glassy, freshwater surfaces and the dramatic backdrop of white sugar-sand dunes. Photographers flock to the outfalls, where the lakes periodically overflow and pour across the beach into the Gulf — a spectacular natural event visible nowhere else in Florida. Wildlife sightings include great blue herons, ospreys, river otters, and alligators tucked along the vegetated edges.
Whether you rent a paddleboard, join a guided kayak tour, or simply hike through the coastal scrub to a quiet lake overlook, Coastal Dune Lakes Week is an unforgettable way to connect with the wild, untamed side of 30A. Park entry fees apply; check individual park websites for guided tour schedules and reservation requirements.
Best for: Nature lovers, paddlers, photographers, and families seeking Florida's wildest side
What to expect: Kayak and paddleboard rentals, ranger-led interpretive walks, wildlife viewing, and scenic hiking through coastal scrub habitat
Planning tip: Book guided kayak tours early — they fill fast during Coastal Dune Lakes Week. Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach State Park offer the most accessible lake access.
Cost: Florida state park entry ($4-8/vehicle); guided tours vary; kayak rentals typically $25-50/hour from local outfitters
