Beach Access

Santa Rosa Beach and the surrounding area have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  The best beaches in our opinion are the public beaches that are part of the national park system.  They are generally not as crowded as the deeded beaches closer to some of the other communities.   Our favorite beaches are below, but a large list can be found here

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Public Beach Rules

• Leave No Trace– all items left on the beach overnight will be discarded to help maintain our pristine beaches and provide a safe environment for our South Walton Sea Turtles.

• Vehicles require a permit to drive onto the beach, and are only allowed to drive on the beach at Grayton Beach. Permits can be applied for through the Walton County Board of County Commissioners lottery system.

• Dog Permits are required for dogs on the beach, and are only available to residents of Walton County and/or property owners in Walton County. Those permits can also be purchased through the BCC. Permits are issued year round and expire on August 1st of each year.

• Glass containers are prohibited on the beach.

• Stay off the dunes.

• Removal of sand, water and vegetation is strictly prohibited.

• Two 15’ corridors are reserved for emergency vehicles; one extending 15’ from the dune toward the water, and the other extending 15’ from the water’s edge upland.

• Amplified sound (audio device, speakers, radio, musical instrument, etc.) which can be heard by a person using normal hearing faculties at a distance of 100 feet from the source of the sound is not permitted.

• Tents must be 10’ x 10’ or smaller and are to be set up only on the top 1/3 of the available beach space, still allowing for a 15’ distance from the dunes for emergency vehicles.

• Charcoal grills are not allowed on the beach.  All grilling must be done on Propane grills measuring at 225 square inches (approximately 12”x18” rectangular or 16” in diameter for circular grills) or smaller.

• Bonfire permits can be applied for through the South Walton Fire District, Monday through Friday from 8 until 4. All bonfires must be put out and cleaned up by 1 AM and remnants must not be placed in the TDC trash containers. For in depth permit requirements visit South Walton Fire District’s website at www.swfd.org/beach-safety/beach-bonfires

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Beach Bonfires

Yes, you can have beach bonfires.  I highly recommend local firms to setup and tear down to make it easy for you to enjoy and stay compliant with all of the state & county guidelines.

• ​https://www.mommabearbeachbonfires.com/

• https://www.bonfiresatthebeach30a.com/

• https://www.30ablaze.com/

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Deer Lake State Park

This state park is roughly half a mile away from the Prominence area (about a five-minute golf cart ride). Upon arrival, you will see a small parking lot that requires an entry fee of $3 per vehicle (2 to 8 passengers) or $2 per pedestrian/bicyclist/extra passengers. There is a long scenic boardwalk that brings you from the parking lot to the beach and is a five-to-ten minute walk.  Be sure to get there early, as there is limited parking and they will close the entrance once it is full. Beach service is not provided here.

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Walton Dunes

Located 2.5 miles from the Prominence area, Walton Dunes is an easily accessible beach entrance! Unlike Deer Lake, there are no stairs/ramps and you can walk right up to the beach. You take a left at Lakewood Drive and follow the curve until you see the parking lot for cars/golf carts. Beach service is the only amenity provided here.

 

Santa Clara

Santa Clara beach is located 3.5 miles from the Prominence area and doesn’t have any stairs/ramps. This beach has parking, restrooms, beach service, and lifeguards during peak season. It is off Scenic 30A, 1/2 mile east of Scenic 395, and you turn south on Bramble Grove Place.
 

Gulf Lakes

Gulf Lakes is half a mile east of the Prominence area. This access point has bike parking, a freshwater shower, and beach service. There are no restrooms or car/golf cart parking.

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30A Map

This is a map of our little beach community. Old Florida “State Road 30” once started at the Alabama state line and meandered 283 miles east across the panhandle. Several “alternate routes” (hence the “A” in 30A) offered drivers a slower scenic option, usually along the beach. But we don’t think of 30A as disjointed miles of soulless asphalt. 30A® is a celebration of small town beach life – the kind that’s been enjoyed by families for decades all along the Gulf Coast. 30A isn’t just a line on the map. It’s a lifestyle; an attitude. It’s that happy place we all dream of when we need to unwind, unplug and celebrate life."

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