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Walton County Provides Free Day-Use Admission to State Parks Summer 2021 [Updated]

Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
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WALTON COUNTY, Fla.—June 2, 2021 – Summer visitors to South Walton will once again be able to enjoy free day-use admission to Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day July 31.

The Walton County Tourist Development Council is paying the cost of entry for day-use visitors in order to increase available parking for beachgoers during the peak visitation season, as well as raise awareness of the variety of eco-tourism activities South Walton offers. This year marks the seventh year of admission coverage for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the fifth for Grayton Beach State Park.

“We’re happy to once again cover the day-use admission to both parks,” says interim TDC Director Jason Cutshaw. “Visitors and locals will both experience benefits from free access to the state parks beach accesses, parking, picnic and restroom facilities. This is also a wonderful opportunity to encourage everyone to explore the beautiful natural resources in our state parks.”

The free day-use admission is available to visitors during normal operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to sunset.

For more information on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/topsail-hill-preserve-state-park.

For more information on Grayton Beach State Park visit www.visitsouthwalton.com/listing/grayton-beach-state-park.

Edited

Replies

18
SoWal Staff avatar
SoWal StaffServing the Community!
#2
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks announced the suspension of the Walton County Day Use Admission Program currently in effect for Grayton Beach and Topsail Hill Preserve State Parks, effective Sunday, August 1, 2021.
harrymurryBeach Comber
#3
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks announced the suspension of the Walton County Day Use Admission Program currently in effect for Grayton Beach and Topsail Hill Preserve State Parks, effective Sunday, August 1, 2021.
Why?
UofL avatar
UofLBeach Fanatic
#5
Not enough people to work the parks? Hope it wasn't bad behavior. We arrived today. Had the parks on the list. Ellen
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#6
Not enough people to work the parks? Hope it wasn't bad behavior. We arrived today. Had the parks on the list. Ellen
Parks are open and awesome! Enjoy them.
Truman avatar
TrumanBeach Fanatic
#7
Paying the entry fee is one of the few things in life I pay for that makes me proud.
SUP Boarder avatar
SUP BoarderBeach Lover
#8
Why?
May be due to overcrowding. Went to Grayton Beach at ~ 9:30 am yesterday (Sat) and the Park was already "Full".
UofL avatar
UofLBeach Fanatic
#9
Parks are open and awesome! Enjoy them.
Yes, just curious as to why they shut it down a month early.
Jim Tucker avatar
Jim TuckerBeach Fanatic
#10
Yes, just curious as to why they shut it down a month early.
Seems like the state is fine with collecting fees.

Might have something to do with the TDC changes in leadership and spending confusion?
Beachlover2 avatar
Beachlover2Beach Fanatic
#11
I heard they reached the amount that they budgeted for the fees used so far.
30A Skunkape avatar
30A SkunkapeSkunky
#12
If you think it is crowded and chaotic now, wait until Deer Lake shuts down next week for a(estimated) year. All those people at Prominence and nearby will have NOWHERE to go beaching.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#13
If you think it is crowded and chaotic now, wait until Deer Lake shuts down next week for a(estimated) year. All those people at Prominence and nearby will have NOWHERE to go beaching.

I can't wait for "investors" demanding the county install access so their rental revenues doesn't dry up.
30A Skunkape avatar
30A SkunkapeSkunky
#14
I can't wait for "investors" demanding the county install access so their rental revenues doesn't dry up.
They might take matters into their own hands and cut their own path ala Cypress Dunes. :rolleyes:
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#15
They might take matters into their own hands and cut their own path ala Cypress Dunes. :rolleyes:

Water sound folks will stop them.
bob1Beach Fanatic
#16
If you think it is crowded and chaotic now, wait until Deer Lake shuts down next week for a(estimated) year. All those people at Prominence and nearby will have NOWHERE to go beaching.
Why are they closing?
30A Skunkape avatar
30A SkunkapeSkunky
#17
Why are they closing?
Deer Lake is closing to everyone for facility upgrades.
Jimmy T avatar
Jimmy TBeach Fanatic
#18
Deer Lake is closing to everyone for facility upgrades.
Impeccable timing!
Dawn avatar
DawnBeach Fanatic
#19
Imagine for a sec if our 3 Gulf front state parks didn't exist.

Hard to imagine?

So is a road right through our state forest. :angry:

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