First Day Hike at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park Jan 1

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is hosting a Sunset Hike on Jan. 1 at 4 p.m. for nature lovers who want to start off the New Year in the great outdoors. At 4 p.m., participants will hike down to the beach access in time to catch the sunset, at approximately 4:40pm, then hike back up to the parking area as the stars begin to shine.    

This is an easy 2 mile hike along a paved road in which all ages can participate. Park entrance fee is $6.00. Attendees may park in the Day Use parking area and meet at the benches at Tram Stop 1. Be sure to dress warmly, bring water, camera, and/or binoculars. There will be restrooms and a water fountain at the halfway point.

 
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park offers a wide variety of natural resources including 3.2 miles of secluded, white sand beaches with majestic dunes over 25 feet tall. Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. Although boats are not allowed, fishing from the shoreline yields bass, bream, panfish, and catfish.
 
Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. Visitors may bike, walk, or enjoy a quick ride to the beach on the tram service to swim, fish, sunbathe, or beachcomb.    

A full-facility campground features a swimming pool, tennis courts, and shuffleboard courts. Furnished bungalows are available for weekly stays. A camp store offers a variety of camping items, as well as snacks and drinks.

 
Throughout the year, there are ranger-led interpretive programs with topics that include fishing in the surf, freshwater fishing, beachcombing and learning about burning. Other guided tours offer wildlife discussions on sea turtles, alligators, sharks, butterflies, the Choctawhatchee Beach mouse, shore birds and birds of prey.
 
Check the SoWal Events Calendar for Topsail Eco-Tours.
 
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has been selected as one of the top 25 amazing locations in the country in Reserve America’s Top 100 Campgrounds of 2010. The unique natural formations, soaring dunes and coastal dune lakes, helped the campground stand out above the rest. Topsail also was identified as one of the top 25 park beaches. 
 
For more information on Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, and other South Walton parks, please visit SoWal.com/Parks.