Canopy on the beach

No, it is not allowed, although some people haven't gotten the message or choose to ignore it! Just like we say here, Don't Mess with Texas, please Don't Mess with Turtles by leaving ANYTHING on the beach overnight!

Have a great trip!

You should pick up the tent at night if just for the turtles which are nesting on Sowal beaches as we type. Three nests found in the past four days.

The TDC has been known to pick a random beach and clear off everything left overnight. It is posted at every public crossover that it is illegal to leave things out overnight.
It is a great thing to try to remember to also bury the holes the little ones dig as people can and do fall into them. 20 people died last year as a direct result of holes on beaches. Turtles also will fall into them and cannot readily crawl out.
Have a great time while you're here and I'll keep my eye out for your tent to stop and say hi.

We're making our annual visit to Seagrove Beach in July. We usually put up our canopy on the first day and leave it up all week. Is that not allowed? I have read some threads about trucks picking up tents left on the beach overnight. Someone probably has seen our Canopy..it's a big Texas flag.

Now you can't leave it out -- everyone will know it was you! Thanks for asking!

Here are the rules regarding leaving items on the beach:

http://www.co.walton.fl.us/administration/PDF/LeaveNoTrace 0308.pdf

We're making our annual visit to Seagrove Beach in July. We usually put up our canopy on the first day and leave it up all week. Is that not allowed? I have read some threads about trucks picking up tents left on the beach overnight. Someone probably has seen our Canopy..it's a big Texas flag.

It was thoughtful of you to ask. Many just assume it's okay, and it does seem like it wouldn't be a big deal, unless you know about turtle nesting season. Thanks much for helping us help them. They are part of what makes our little corner of paradise so special.

Hope you have a grayt trip!

There are many people here who think it's a big deal aside from the turtle issue. Tents lined up on the beach can ruin the beauty of the beach and block the view. I'm sure you wouldn't want someone to come to Texas and set up tents on your lawn. To people who live here, and many who visit, it's the same thing, or worse.

Is Texas trying to claim Florida as their own territory? lol.

Is Texas trying to claim Florida as their own territory? lol.

Yes, we're all moving there and in the process, we're bringing Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with us.

Take a look at Inlet Beach

There are some incredible holes in front of huge tented pavilions that have been up several days as of this morning and more seem to be coming. These people need to be educated...wish there was some printed materials I could hand out as I walk about the beach explaining the rules and reasons. Every time I try and give "advice" it becomes a confrontaqtion as if the rules are my personal mean thoughts. Several people have taken an almost physical revulsion to my approach and advice. Anything printed out there that is official and available?

Methinks acetexan is messing with us:roll:

There were a few new posters yesterday that seemed to be messing w/ folks on tents on the beach, real estate etc.

Yes, we're all moving there and in the process, we're bringing Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with us.

Just make sure y'all bring your own water. ;-)

There are some incredible holes in front of huge tented pavilions that have been up several days as of this morning and more seem to be coming. These people need to be educated...wish there was some printed materials I could hand out as I walk about the beach explaining the rules and reasons. Every time I try and give "advice" it becomes a confrontaqtion as if the rules are my personal mean thoughts. Several people have taken an almost physical revulsion to my approach and advice. Anything printed out there that is official and available?

Go back up to the #5 post and open the link. It is a nice color sheet easily printed off that has the sheriff office emblem on it and a FL statute number that should cease any confrontational conversation. It even has a number to call if you don't like what it says. It takes the burden off of you as it is from the County.
I'm doing this as well. I have yet to have a confrontation.

..These people need to be educated...wish there was some printed materials I could hand out as I walk about the beach explaining the rules and reasons. ...

Those people would probably throw your pamphlets on the beach as litter.

At least when they watch all their crap heading down the beach in the back of a TDC truck, they won't be able to say they didn't know.
You are so right though.....you can't fix stupid.

Just make sure y'all bring your own water. ;-)

:funn:Hail, I don't know about those other states, but we don't have any water here either.

We have been coming to Grayton for over ten years. Last year was the first time we were told that our canopy would have to come down every night. (We did not comply) This seems a little extereme. We spend a great deal of money to come to the beach. We do not leave our trash, chairs or beach toys, but taking the canopy down everynight is a real problem. I understand the locals are wanting to "protect their beach" but they should understand that without tourist, alot of people would be out of a job in So Wal, so I think a compromise regarding the canopies is in order. I would suggest that enforcement regarding trash, chairs and toys be enforced but allow the canopies to stay up.

Why do you feel it is extreme that you need to remove your belongings from the beach overnight? Where else in the US can you leave items on public property for days on end?

It's not locals trying to protect their beach, it's people in general trying to keep the beach clean and safe so the tourists can enjoy it.

Not only do the canopies create obstacles for nesting sea turtles, they frequently blow away or if just the frame is left up, they are hard to see when walking at night and can cause injury.

You write as though I am a novice to the beach. We take the necessary pre-cautions to make sure what you mentioned does not happen. In fact, every year for 10 years we have been using the same canopy. The locals often go down at night and use it on the beach. It is far enough back from the wet line as to not be in anyone's way but it is not in the path of the trucks and beach cleaner. As for making the beach clean, I stated we do not leave our trash or chairs. I know that I am not alone in feeling this way and we just are not going to take being told by these enviromentalist how to live our lives anymore. Enough is enough.

You write as though I am a novice to the beach. We take the necessary pre-cautions to make sure what you mentioned does not happen. In fact, every year for 10 years we have been using the same canopy. The locals often go down at night and use it on the beach. It is far enough back from the wet line as to not be in anyone's way but it is not in the path of the trucks and beach cleaner. As for making the beach clean, I stated we do not leave our trash or chairs. I know that I am not alone in feeling this way and we just are not going to take being told by these enviromentalist how to live our lives anymore. Enough is enough.

Lat Saturday morning, we had to drag a canopy out of the lake that had blown down during the night. Then we had to drag a mangled canopy over to the garbage can, before somebody got tangled up in the twisted metal or it blew into the Gulf. Thanks so much for perpetuating the "pig" mentality.

You write as though I am a novice to the beach. We take the necessary pre-cautions to make sure what you mentioned does not happen. In fact, every year for 10 years we have been using the same canopy. The locals often go down at night and use it on the beach. It is far enough back from the wet line as to not be in anyone's way but it is not in the path of the trucks and beach cleaner. As for making the beach clean, I stated we do not leave our trash or chairs. I know that I am not alone in feeling this way and we just are not going to take being told by these enviromentalist how to live our lives anymore. Enough is enough.

Why would anyone want to sit under a canopy at night?

While I can understand it's a pain to take it down every day, it's the law. And while you obviously think you should be an exception, it just doesn't work that way. My advice is either comply, or find another county in Florida for your vacation.

Sorry to be harsh, but there just isn't any gray area here. The law doesn't except certain items (or certain people).

Why would anyone want to sit under a canopy at night?

While I can understand it's a pain to take it down every day, it's the law. And while you obviously think you should be an exception, it just doesn't work that way. My advice is either comply, or find another county in Florida for your vacation.

Sorry to be harsh, but there just isn't any gray area here. The law doesn't except certain items.

Oh but JB, some people seem to think that if they spend enough money, they can do whatever they want.:roll:

You write as though I am a novice to the beach. We take the necessary pre-cautions to make sure what you mentioned does not happen. In fact, every year for 10 years we have been using the same canopy. The locals often go down at night and use it on the beach. It is far enough back from the wet line as to not be in anyone's way but it is not in the path of the trucks and beach cleaner. As for making the beach clean, I stated we do not leave our trash or chairs. I know that I am not alone in feeling this way and we just are not going to take being told by these enviromentalist how to live our lives anymore. Enough is enough.

Your canopy IS trash!

If it's such a pain to take down, save yourself some hassle and don't put it up at all!

I don't know why they sit under my canopy at night either, but they do and usually have their cars pulled right up to it. All I want to do is have a nice vacation. Yes I pay a lot but So Wal is worth it. It just funny to me that until just last year, no one cared that a canopy was left up over night. They were not considered "trash" then.

I waited until now to post but wanted everyone who is coming to So Wal to know, I was there last week. I left my canopy up overnight for seven days. No problems. Nothing was ever said to me and it was not disturbed or taken down. I had a great week. And I will be back next year.

To threaten a community with your money is just plain unfair. You may think you have great numbers, but you would be incorrect. I approach people nearly every day about leaving stuff on beaches and find most simply do not know what they are supposed to do and are happy to comply. They are just glad to be here.
I say, take your money elsewhere, thank you very much. The view of a sunset will be better, we won't be picking that canopy out of any lakes. The turtles can breathe ever so slightly easier. It appears win, win.

Who gave you the right to paint all people who simply want a clean beach or that want a beach free for turtles to be able to nest as they have been for thousands of years environmentalists.
The label that is obvious is "LAZY" and you are the one showing it to the world.