Hunt-free hiking: state park trails on the Emerald Coast, from Topsail Hill to Rocky Bayou

Florida state parks do not allow hunting, which makes their trails the easy choice for hikers who would rather not share the woods during deer season. On the Emerald Coast that means six parks with marked trails, from more than 15 miles at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park near Santa Rosa Beach to three short loops at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville. All are open 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year, and charge $4 to $8 per vehicle, per Florida State Parks as of Nov. 2, 2026.

Zone D general gun season runs Nov. 26-29 and again Dec. 12 through Feb. 21, per FWC; Eglin’s own calendar differs. Inside the state parks, none of that applies.

Which park has the most trail?

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County has more than 15 miles of marked hiking trails starting at the day-use lot, along with rare coastal dune lakes, per its park page. Morris Lake Nature Trail is 2.5 miles. The park also marks the Beach Tram, Campbell Lake, No Name Lake, Turpentine, Gopher Tortoise, Deer Track and Old Growth trails but lists no length for them. Entry is $6 per vehicle with two to eight people.

Where can I hike and bike on the same trail?

Grayton Beach State Park has a 1-mile nature trail and a 4.5-mile hike-and-bike trail, 9 miles round trip, per Florida State Parks. Cyclists 16 and under must wear helmets. Entry is $5 per vehicle.

What are the shortest trails?

• Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville: Sand Pine Trail (about 1 mile), Rocky Bayou Trail (half a mile) and Red Cedar Trail (half a mile), good for birding and photos, per the park. $5 per vehicle.
• Henderson Beach State Park, Destin: a 0.75-mile hiking trail. $6 per vehicle.
• St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach: Heron Pond and Gator Lake trails, half a mile each. $8 per vehicle, the highest on the coast.

What about Blackwater River State Park?

Blackwater River State Park near Milton has the 1.75-mile Chain of Lakes Nature Trail loop, per Florida State Parks, and the park section of Juniper Creek Trail. Entry is $4 per vehicle through an honor box, so bring exact change; the ranger station is staffed 3 to 5 p.m.

Juniper Creek Trail continues into Blackwater River State Forest, which is a wildlife management area open to hunting, per FWC. Once you leave the park, wear orange.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, on most state park trails, on a leash of 6 feet or less, per the Florida State Parks pet policy. Dogs are never allowed on beaches, boardwalks or playgrounds, or in buildings and cabins. Topsail Hill also keeps dogs off the dunes, the tram and its lakes. St. Andrews allows dogs on its bike and hiking trails but not in its wetlands.

Is the annual pass worth it for hikers?

If you hike often, yes. The Florida State Parks individual annual pass costs $60 and pays for itself after 15 visits at the $4 single-driver price; the family pass is $120 for up to eight people, which pays for itself after 20 visits at $6. Neither covers camping, Gulf Islands National Seashore or Eglin.

Who do I contact?

Each park’s hours-and-fees page on floridastateparks.org lists alerts and phone numbers. Hunting dates for land outside the parks are on FWC’s season page.

Hiked one of these trails this month? Tell us what you saw: email our newsroom through the Contact link at the bottom of this page.

More Outdoors & Recreation guides and local services ›

Live in the Emerald Coast? Write for us as a Community Contributor and share what you see in your town.