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Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 A Vik Media Group publication
Emerald Coast Dispatch Destin, 30A and Panama City Beach news: Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa and Bay counties
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Outdoors/Checked Nov. 1, 2026

State parks and trails on the Emerald Coast

Florida state parks on the Emerald Coast charge $4 to $8 per vehicle (St. Andrews $8; Henderson Beach and Topsail Hill $6; Grayton Beach and Rocky Bayou $5; Blackwater River $4). Hiking or biking on the Eglin Reservation needs a $5 daily or $30 annual Eglin permit for anyone 16 or older. Source: Florida State Parks and Eglin AFB, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Six Florida state parks, Gulf Islands National Seashore and the Eglin Reservation, with what each costs, the Eglin permit, where dogs can go and when hunters are in the woods. Every line comes from Florida State Parks, the National Park Service, Eglin AFB or FWC.

Checked on Nov. 1, 2026 by our Outdoors Desk against Florida State Parks – Henderson Beach hours & fees. The park's own page always wins. Hiking on Eglin? Check the Public Access Map for daily mission closures first. Eglin Public Access Map (PAM) and permits.

$4–$8per vehicle at our six Florida state parks
$5 / $30Eglin permit, per day / per year (16 and older)
68 miof Florida Trail and connector on Eglin
Nov 26–29general gun deer season, Thanksgiving weekend (Zone D)

Is it hunting season today?

Deer seasons in Florida Zone D (Panhandle)

General gun deer season in Florida's Zone D runs Nov 26-29 (Thanksgiving weekend) and Dec 12, 2026 - Feb 21, 2027. Wear blaze orange or bright colors on Eglin and in state forests.

  • Oct. 24, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Archery deer season (crossbow too) Bows in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: General gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Crossbow deer season Bows in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Muzzleloading gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: General gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods
  • Nov. 1, 2026 – Nov. 1, 2026: Muzzleloading gun deer season Highest risk: guns in the woods

Eglin sets its own hunt dates by management unit; check its FY27 hunting calendar and the Public Access Map. Hunting is not allowed in Florida state parks.

Dates for deer in Florida Zone D (Panhandle); other game has its own seasons. Source: FWC – Species season dates 2026-2027; Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Hunting seasons; Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Hiking the Eglin Reservation.

State parks and forests: fee, reservation, dogs

  • Henderson Beach State Park

    Okaloosa Co., FL Destin

    Beach park in Destin.

    Vehicle
    $6 per vehicle (2-8 people)
    Solo driver
    $4 single-occupant vehicle
    Walk or bike
    $2 on foot or bike
    Hours
    8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
    Reservation
    No reservation needed for day use
    Dogs
    Allowed on trails and in most day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less; never on beaches, boardwalks, playgrounds or in buildings and cabins (statewide Florida State Parks rule).

    Source: Florida State Parks – Henderson Beach hours & fees; Florida State Parks – Pet policy

  • Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

    Walton Co., FL Santa Rosa Beach

    Over 15 miles of marked hiking trails from the day-use lot, rare coastal dune lakes and 3.2 miles of beach (no lifeguards). Dogs: trails only, never on the beach, tram, boardwalks, dunes or lakes.

    Vehicle
    $6 per vehicle (2-8 people)
    Solo driver
    $4 single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle
    Walk or bike
    $2 on foot or bike
    Hours
    8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
    Reservation
    No reservation needed for day use
    Dogs
    Allowed on trails and in most day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less; never on beaches, boardwalks, playgrounds or in buildings and cabins (statewide Florida State Parks rule).

    Source: Florida State Parks – Topsail Hill Preserve hours & fees; Florida State Parks – Topsail Hill experiences & amenities; Florida State Parks – Pet policy

  • Grayton Beach State Park

    Walton Co., FL Santa Rosa Beach

    1-mile nature trail and a 4.5-mile hike-and-bike trail (9 miles round trip). Helmets required for cyclists 16 and under.

    Vehicle
    $5 per vehicle (2-8 people)
    Solo driver
    $4 single-occupant vehicle
    Walk or bike
    $2 on foot or bike
    Hours
    8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
    Reservation
    No reservation needed for day use
    Dogs
    Allowed on trails and in most day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less; never on beaches, boardwalks, playgrounds or in buildings and cabins (statewide Florida State Parks rule).

    Source: Florida State Parks – Grayton Beach hours & fees; Florida State Parks – Hiking and biking trails at Grayton Beach; Florida State Parks – Pet policy

  • St. Andrews State Park

    Bay Co., FL Panama City Beach

    Vehicle
    $8 per vehicle (2-8 people)
    Solo driver
    $4 single-occupant vehicle
    Walk or bike
    $2 on foot or bike
    Hours
    8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
    Reservation
    No reservation needed for day use
    Dogs
    Allowed on trails and in most day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less; never on beaches, boardwalks, playgrounds or in buildings and cabins (statewide Florida State Parks rule).

    Source: Florida State Parks – St. Andrews hours & fees; Florida State Parks – Pet policy

  • Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

    Okaloosa Co., FL Niceville

    Three short trails for birding and photos: Sand Pine (about 1 mi), Rocky Bayou (1/2 mi) and Red Cedar (1/2 mi).

    Vehicle
    $5 per vehicle (2-8 people)
    Solo driver
    $4 single-occupant vehicle
    Walk or bike
    $2 on foot or bike
    Hours
    8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
    Reservation
    No reservation needed for day use
    Dogs
    Allowed on trails and in most day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less; never on beaches, boardwalks, playgrounds or in buildings and cabins (statewide Florida State Parks rule).

    Source: Florida State Parks – Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou hours & fees; Florida State Parks – Hiking at Rocky Bayou; Florida State Parks – Pet policy

  • Blackwater River State Park

    Santa Rosa Co., FL Milton

    Honor box: bring exact change. Ranger station staffed 3-5 p.m. Chain of Lakes Nature Trail (1.75-mi loop) and Juniper Creek Trail into Blackwater River State Forest; the river is a designated Florida Paddling Trail.

    Vehicle
    $4 per vehicle (2-8 people)
    Walk or bike
    $2 on foot or bike
    Hours
    8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
    Reservation
    No reservation needed for day use
    Dogs
    Allowed on trails and in most day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less; never on beaches, boardwalks, playgrounds or in buildings and cabins (statewide Florida State Parks rule).

    Source: Florida State Parks – Blackwater River hours & fees; Florida State Parks – Trails at Blackwater River; Florida State Parks – Pet policy

  • Gulf Islands National Seashore (Okaloosa and Opal Beach areas)

    Okaloosa / Santa Rosa Co., FL Okaloosa Island

    Fees are collected at the Okaloosa Area, Opal Beach (Santa Rosa Area), Fort Pickens and Perdido Key.

    Entry
    $25 per vehicle, $20 motorcycle, $15 per person on foot or bike (good for 1-7 days)
    Annual pass
    $45 park annual pass; interagency passes accepted
    Reservation
    No reservation needed

    Source: National Park Service – Gulf Islands entrance fees

  • Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base)

    Okaloosa / Walton / Santa Rosa Co., FL Niceville

    About 68 miles of Florida Trail and connector trail cross the reservation; foot traffic only. Florida Trail thru-hikers get a free permit from Jackson Guard.

    Permit
    Everyone 16 and older needs an Eglin permit and photo ID: $5 a day or $30 a year (65+: $10; 100% disabled: $1)
    Camping
    $10 per night camping permit (bought at the Jackson Guard office, not online)
    Reservation
    Permit required (eglin.isportsman.net). Check the Public Access Map (PAM) for daily mission closures before you go.
    Hunting
    Several management units along the trail are open to hunting; wear highly visible clothing in season.

    Source: Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Outdoor recreation permits; Eglin AFB Natural Resources – Hiking the Eglin Reservation

Stay near the parks on the Emerald Coast

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10 official trails, shortest first

Showing .

TrailMilesDifficultyUses
Rocky Bayou Trail
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park · About 1/2 mile		 0.5 Not rated by the park hike
Red Cedar Trail
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park · About 1/2 mile		 0.5 Not rated by the park hike
Grayton Beach Nature Trail
Grayton Beach State Park		 1 Not rated by the park hike
Sand Pine Trail
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park · About 1 mile; birding		 1 Not rated by the park hike
Juniper Creek Trail (park section)
Blackwater River State Park · Continues about 7.5 miles into Blackwater River State Forest		 1 Not rated by the park hike
Chain of Lakes Nature Trail
Blackwater River State Park · Loop		 1.75 Not rated by the park hike
Grayton Beach Hike and Bike Trail
Grayton Beach State Park · One way; 9 miles round trip		 4.5 Not rated by the park hike, bike
Cimarron section (SR 85 to Yellow River)
Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base) · Not officially Florida Trail; dead-ends at the river		 8.8 Not rated by the park hike
Florida Trail: West section (SR 87 to East Bay)
Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base) · Eglin permit; west of SR 87 is exempt from PAM closures		 14.3 Not rated by the park hike
Florida Trail: East/North section (US 331 to SR 85)
Eglin Reservation (Eglin Air Force Base) · Eglin permit; check PAM closures; camps along the way		 45.2 Not rated by the park hike

Lengths and difficulty as each park lists them; some loops share sections. Sources: Florida State Parks and Eglin AFB Natural Resources trail pages (listed below). Download: outdoors.csv (official data only; free to reuse with credit to Emerald Coast Dispatch).

Gear, rentals and outfitters on the Emerald Coast

10 businesses in our directory under Boat & Kayak Rentals, listed by how complete their information is.

  1. Destiny Water Adventures Fort Walton Beach
  2. Gilligan’s Watersports Destin
  3. Knot Working Fort Walton Beach
  4. Navarre Family Watersports Navarre
  5. Xtreme H20 Destin

In the directory: Boat & Kayak Rentals (10) · Beach & Outdoor Apparel (6) · Parks & trails (18)

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Questions hikers ask

Do I need a permit to hike on Eglin Air Force Base land?

Yes. Everyone 16 or older needs an Eglin permit and photo ID: $5 a day or $30 a year, bought through eglin.isportsman.net. Check the Public Access Map for mission closures before you go. Source: Eglin AFB Natural Resources.

How much does Henderson Beach State Park cost?

$6 per vehicle with 2 to 8 people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 on foot or bike. Open 8 a.m. to sundown every day. Source: Florida State Parks.

Can I bring my dog to Florida state parks on the Emerald Coast?

Yes on trails and most day-use areas, on a leash of 6 feet or less, but never on beaches, boardwalks or playgrounds, or in buildings and cabins. Source: Florida State Parks pet policy.

When is deer hunting season near Destin and Niceville?

In Florida's Zone D, general gun season is Nov 26-29, 2026 and Dec 12, 2026 - Feb 21, 2027. Eglin sets its own dates by management unit. Source: FWC and Eglin AFB.

How much is Gulf Islands National Seashore near Okaloosa Island and Navarre?

$25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle or $15 per person on foot or bike, good for 1-7 days; the park annual pass is $45. Source: National Park Service.

Sources

Fees, hours and closures change; the park's page always wins. Data for AI and developers: llms.txt and outdoors.csv.