I only added an extra star because of the gorgeous beach it leads to. The park itself is a joke. Not enough signage. No constructed paths. The paths that are there are unlevel and unkempt. They play on your honorable nature by charging you $ 4(which we paid) but obviously none of that money goes towards bettering the experience. When the path splits into three directions, there is no sign or map telling you where each leads. We ended up on a mile long hike through sand to get to a beach(beautiful!!!) but by the time we got there our legs were cramped and we were sore and tired. The rangers don’t know what that’s like because they’ve got dune buggies. Worst $ 4 I ever spent. I want my money back.
Brian C.
Classificação do local: 5 New Orleans, LA
Small but worthwhile park that’s a bit of a drive from Destin but is surrounded by water and has a little of everything. If you want some short hikes, you’ve got them here. A fairly private beach, you’ve got that too if you’re willing to make the mile or so hike in and out. Old buildings from the 1920’s and beyond when it was a retreat for an Alabama textile company, you’ve got that too. My wife was mainly drawn to the old buildings given that she’s an architect who loves this type of vernacular architecture but we did a bit of wandering down toward the beach(bring an umbrella if you’re going to the beach, the sandy walk is a bit difficult as one would expect and there’s no shade so you’ll be hot on sunny days) and then hiked through a wooded area which wasn’t anything exciting but a decent stroll nonetheless. It’s a small park but interesting for the right people and the $ 4 entry fee also gets you full access to the beach if you want. Worth knowing about.
Jennifer F.
Classificação do local: 4 Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Beautiful beach, but no constructed path! Not for the weak at heart or the out of shape! The water is amazing and very few people, a hidden diamond in the rough! However, without a constructed path the walk can be some what long– I can’t see a baby stroller making it through the ankle deep sand.
Annette M.
Classificação do local: 4 Denver, CO
Beautiful little State Park between Rosemary Beach and Carillon. If your in the area ride you bikes over. Also easy access to the left as you enter for Paddle Boards or Kayaks into Lake Powell. Largest coastal dune lake in the area.
Betty C.
Classificação do local: 2 Panama City, FL
Very small and no wildlife seen other than squirrels and 2 ducks. Breezy off the ocean. I recommend a sweater.
Mark N.
Classificação do local: 4 Cuyahoga Falls, OH
This is a somewhat small but very interesting state park(183 acres) with a wide diversity of things to see. The park is surrounded on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico, and also features a large coastal dune lake called Lake Powell(such features are apparently only found in this area of Florida and in South Africa). There is freshwater wetland, a salt marsh, maratime hammocks, pine scrub, and of course; the coastal dunes of the beach. This very quiet stretch of beach is quite a relief if you are coming from Panama City Beach, which has been almost completely obliterated by endless condos, hotels, etc ad nauseum; and this park will give you an idea of the natural setting prior to all that overdevelopment. These different wildlife habitats visible in the course of a short hike mean that you have a good chance of seeing a lot of different wildlife here(I saw many deer there, supposedly there are some alligators, and there is kinds of birdlife, including eagles apparently). This park also is very interesting for historical reasons, aftering entering the park you will walk through a collection of restored 1940s era buildings along Phillips Inlet which served as a company resort of employees of an Alabama textile mill; the buildings are really cool to explore, especially the very impressive main lodge! There is also some old(4000 yrs we are told) Native American mounds and middens in the park. The hike all the way out to the beach is indeed in very soft sand, as noted in the previous review, so it is mildly strenuous. But it is worth it, because hardly anyone seems to go out there and the beach here is thus a very different, serene experience.
Emily R.
Classificação do local: 5 Chicago, IL
Camp Helen is a lovely and unique state park. I came here with my parents and we all enjoyed it. We didn’t walk the full nature trail, only part of it. The section that goes out to the beach is kinda strenuous because it’s deep, shifting sand. The beach is far from the parking lot, and it was windy when we visited, so we decided not to hike all the way out to the beach. But I can imagine that it is a nice, quiet area. If you’re looking for a remote, deserted beach, this is the place. Just be prepared to hike a ways out there. Do not bring all your beach gear. The section of trail around the marsh is still sand but much more compacted and easier to walk on than the path to the beach. It is also shaded, making this a great short hike on a hot day. I liked how many of the trees and other flora were labeled with their common name and genus species name. The Camp’s restored buildings are really neat and include colorful cabins(unoccupied, not available to rent), a stable, a water tower, and a recreation hall(with picnic tables you can use). Be sure to check out these buildings if you have any interest in history or retro architecture and design. We visited on a Wednesday afternoon before Memorial Day, and the only other people we saw in the entire park during our visit were four fishermen. Not sure if this is typical of the usual crowd, but Camp Helen is probably your best bet for solitude and privacy in this area. It’s rustic but very welcoming! Currently the entrance fee is $ 4 per vehicle. Bring exact change and your own food and beverages(I didn’t see any vending machines).
