Camp Helen State Park: Guided Nature Walk

Camp Helen State Park invites the public out for a guided Nature Tour held each first Thursday of the month in the park at 10am. Tour begins at the Visitor Center. Come out to learn about the rare coastal dune lake, Lake Powell, as well as the park wildlife. Hike is suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather; water and bug spray are recommended. 

Camp Helen State Park is a place where visitors can explore an environment rich in natural and cultural resources. The park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on three sides, and by Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans inhabited the area more than 4,000 years ago. From 1945 until 1987 Camp Helen was a company resort for the employees of an Alabama textile mill, known as Avondale Mills. Some of those buildings have now been restored. This 180-acre park is for day use only. Activities include swimming, beachcombing, nature study, hiking and both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Camp Helen State Park is host to fun events throughout the year such as the Fall Festival, kayak paddle tours, Americana music series, summer movie nights and much more. These special events are sponsored by the Friends of Camp Helen State Park. Follow Friends of Camp Helen State Park on Facebook for updates on park events. 

Camp Helen State Park is located at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, just west of the Phillips Inlet Bridge on the Bay County and Walton County line. The park is bordered on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico, Phillips Inlet, and Lake Powell, which is one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. The great thing about Camp Helen is that it has it all – wooded nature trails, tranquil lake scenery, and an expansive, open white-sand beach. When you’re here, you feel like you are one with the outdoors, thanks to the natural beauty that surrounds you at every turn, and the peace and quiet that is so hard to find in the more developed spots in the area.  Read more about Camp Helen State Park and see photo gallery at SoWal Parks | Camp Helen State Park.