Walton County Provides Free Day-Use Admission to State Parks for Third Year

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.

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

“This is our third summer covering day-use admission to both state parks,” says Visit South Walton Director of Communications David Demarest. “It benefits everyone, visitors and locals alike, that during the summer we effectively add two additional regional beach accesses – equipped with parking, picnic and restroom facilities, and a tremendous amount of natural beauty for guests to enjoy. This also lessens the pressure on any one stretch of beach. “

The free day-use admission is available to visitors during normal operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to sunset. The official kick-off of the event is on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and free day-use admission extends through Labor Day.