Camp Helen State Park invites you to go beyond your park visit, joining a Park Ranger for a nature hike held each first Thursday of the month at 10AM on Camp Helen's user-friendly trail system. Learn about the park's flora and fauna and the larger ecosystem of the Florida Panhandle. The hike lasts about an hour and is great for all experience levels and requires moderate endurance.
The wild places of Florida and the animals that call them home are taking center stage this summer as two premier advocacy organizations team up for a massive milestone. Alaqua Animal Refuge is throwing open its gates to host The Wild Within: Florida Wildlife Federation 90th Birthday Celebration. This free community event takes place on Saturday, June 7, 2026, from noon to 3 p.m. at Alaqua’s beautiful 100-acre home in Freeport.
All South Walton backyards can be a gathering place for birds, butterflies, frogs, squirrels and many more types of local wildlife.
You can attract native species by offering food, water, cover and space for them to raise their young, and your yard will be transformed into a welcoming habitat for wildlife. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages Flordians to make a difference and have fun by creating a refuge for wildlife in their own backyard.
The State Parks and State Forest Lands in South Walton are spectacular. Protected lands make up about 40% of the land south of the bay.
We are so blessed to have such treasure all around us. The lakes, bayous, creeks, forests, dunes and beaches in our parks make SoWal a very special place. Incredible landscapes with coastal dune lakes, lake outfalls kissing the Gulf, flowering dune magnolias, soaring pelicans, dancing dolphins, flower-covered dunes - the wonders of coastal nature are everywhere you turn.
Listen up, beach lovers! It's that special time of year again in South Walton – Sea Turtle Season is officially underway, running from May 1st all the way through October 31st.
These ancient mariners, our flippered friends who've been gracing our shores for millions of years, need our extra TLC during this crucial nesting period.
The 2nd Annual Reeling in the Emerald Coast - Conservation Day is coming to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This free family event, hosted by the park and Walton County 4-H, combines outdoor adventure with hands-on learning for the next generation of coastal stewards.
Celebrating the donation of 2,295 acres for the Choctawhatchee River Delta Preserve in Walton County, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 9, at 10 a.m.
Hosted by the Northwest Florida Water Management District and The Nature Conservancy, the event will take place at 87 Pitts Bayshore Drive in Freeport. Officials and partners will gather to commemorate the preservation of this significant tract of land along the Choctawhatchee River and Bay.
Everyone in our SoWal community wants locals and visitors to enjoy our beaches safely and to respect our wonderful natural areas. Please follow beach safety rules and guidelines.
We are committed to Beach Safety Every Day - For Gulf conditions and flag updates, text "SAFETY" to 31279.
See current beach conditions on the live SoWal BeachCams.
South Walton Beach Safety Flag information
Sea turtle nesting season begins in May on many Florida beaches, including the beaches of South Walton (SoWal) and northwest Florida. The season lasts through the end of October and is the critical time when people can help keep sea turtles and hatchlings safe.
Adventure seekers in Walton County have a new reason to explore our local parks and trails.
Walton County has officially launched its own Geocaching program, turning our scenic county parks into a massive, real-life treasure hunt. Whether you’re a seasoned "cacher" or just looking for a new family outdoor activity, the game offers a unique way to discover corners of the county you might normally overlook.
