Grayton Beach State Park Camping

When you camp at Grayton Beach State Park, you get access to one of the U.S.’s most idyllic beaches, known for its sugar-white sand and deep green waters. (Keep your eyes peeled for deer, sea turtles, and osprey.) When you grow tired of swimming, paddling, fishing, and sunbathing, check out the artistic and relaxed Grayton Beach community.

Camping at Grayton Beach State Park

Campers will find a modern campground at Grayton Beach State Park. The main campground contains 59 campsites that range from tent camping to RV sites with water and electric hookups. Thirty comfortable duplex cabins are also available for rent. The campground isn’t on the beach, but it is nearby. This park is extremely popular, so book your stay early Florida State Parks’ booking site.

All sites have picnic tables and fire rings, but they vary in length and shade availability. The park’s facilities include restrooms with hot showers and a camp store, but supplies are limited. There’s also a boat ramp for access to Western Lake. Park rangers and maintenance personnel are on-site at Grayton Beach State Park. You’ll find trash and recycling receptacles on site, as well as a dump station for RVs.

Campers with accessibility needs can stay in one of the two ADA cabins or four accessible campsites. Accessible amenities at Grayton Beach State Park include non-slip beach access mats for wheelchairs, a beach wheelchair, and an accessible picnic pavilion and tables. Service animals are permitted at Florida State Parks.

Location, geography, and history

Grayton Beach State Park is located in the historic beach village of Grayton Beach, in South Walton County (between Destin and Panama City Beach). The park measures ~2,000 acres. To its south is The Gulf of Mexico. It is within a short distance of Deer Lake State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, allowing campers ample opportunity to tour the area.

The park’s coastal ecosystem consists of sand dunes, scrub forests, salt marshes, and pine flatwoods. The park’s coastal dune lake (Western Lake) changes in size and salinity due to rainfall and tides. Various birds, reptiles, and sometimes deer meander in and around the lake’s emerald-green waters.

First inhabited by the Choctawhatchee people, settlers were later drawn to the area. Given the sandy soil, newcomers found the area unwelcoming to agricultural pursuits. The park is named after Major Charles T. Gray, the area’s first documented settler in 1885. The state obtained the park’s land in 1967, and Grayton Beach State Park officially opened a year later. Today, the Grayton Beach area is home to artists and draws in many tourists.

Ecosystems, wildlife, and vegetation

The ecosystems of Grayton Beach State Park are highly varied. The wind-shaped coastal dunes’ hardy vegetation has adapted to the sand and salt, making a home for insects and shorebirds. Pines and saw palmetto make up the pine flatwood. Thickets of scrub oaks and shrubs offer nesting and foraging for birds. Salt marshes serve as feeding grounds for fish, crustaceans, and wading birds.

You might spot a white-tailed Deer on the shores of Western Lake. Raccoons and squirrels also play in the park. Redfish, flounder, and blue crab are found in the park’s waters, alongside great blue heron, osprey, and brown pelicans. The park’s endangered species include the snowy plover, some sea turtles, and the Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse. Please avoid approaching or feeding the park’s animals.

Grayton Beach contains magnolia, sand pine, and longleaf pine trees. (The magnolia trees have beautiful flowers.) Sea oat plants stabilize the sand, preventing erosion. Colorful beach morning glory’s purple flowers, blue lupine, beach sunflowers, and red and yellow blanketflowers all contribute to the park’s beauty. You can also find lichen growing on trees and rocks and Spanish moss on the park’s trees.

Sporting, recreational, and cultural activities at Grayton Beach State Park

It’d be a darned shame to come to Grayton Beach and not go swimming. Surfers won’t find huge waves, but beginners can try the gentle breaks. If the water is calm, you can paddleboard off the beach. Alternatively, you can get friends together for beach volleyball, do some fishing (check on local license requirements), or go beachcoming for shells and driftwood.

While walking, you’ll have plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities, ranging from dolphins and shorebirds to sea turtles and deer. We recommend bringing a camera as the park’s setting is truly magical. You can rest outside at night, quietly sip a glass of wine, and enjoy gazing at the night sky. (Put up a hammock to do this in real style.)

Your kids will love playing on Grayton Beach. They can collect shells, fly a kite, build sandcastles and driftwood forts, or look for ghost crabs scurrying on the sand. The park also offers campfire circles and interpretive exhibits. Take an afternoon to explore the lovely town of Grayton Beach. You can also check the South Walton Events Calendar for upcoming events in the area.

Risks, tips, and notes

Although they aren’t common, be mindful of venomous snakes on trails. You should also take care around Western Lake, as alligators are present. Jellyfish are on site seasonally. Campers should stay aware of powerful rip currents, sunburn and heat exhaustion risks, and sudden storms.

When planning a trip to Grayton Beach State Park, consider the shoulder seasons to avoid crowds and enjoy milder temperatures. In addition to your standard camping gear, pack beach essentials like sunscreen, a hat, and a beach towel. Consider bringing some bug repellent and a screened tent/shelter that provides shade.

Campers tell us they love the park’s gorgeous beach, white sand, and natural beauty. Folks recommend bringing a bike or e-bike to ride into town and enjoy the relaxed vibe. Grayton Beach can get crowded during high season like other popular Florida parks.