Well, there are probably as many different opinions on that topic as there are beaches.
But, there’s absolutely no denying that Florida’s Grayton Beach State Park is consistently
voted one of world’s most beautiful and pristine beaches, and it’s frequently named
the #1 beach in North America by experts, conservationists, journalists, and beach lovers
alike.
The park's name comes from the neighboring community of Grayton Beach, which was founded
in the late 1800s, making it one of the oldest townships found anywhere along the Gulf of
Mexico.
When Army Major Charles T. Gray built his homestead here in 1885, the federal government-owned
most of the land around him.
Very few people had reason to settle here.
The soil was too poor to farm, so investors and speculators favored the richer timberlands
a bit more inland.
But by the 1960s, Grayton Beach had become an established vacation destination, attracting
not just families from across the South but also attracting developers who wanted to build
massive resorts here.
Locals were determined to prevent Grayton Beach from becoming just another sandy beach
stacked with rows of condo towers.
It took relentless efforts by locals to prevent that from happening, including one woman literally
lying down in front of bulldozers to prevent the imminent destruction of these precious
dunes.
Their efforts eventually convinced the state of Florida to use its land to create Grayton
Beach State Recreation Area, which completely engulfed the community of Grayton Beach to
the North, East, and West with state-protected forest and park.
(CHECK FLORIDAMEMORY.COM) Grayton Beach State Park officially opened
in 1968.
Today, Grayton Beach State Park is a 2,000-acre national treasure that offers camping, hiking,
paddleboarding, kayaking, biking trails through sand dunes and pine Flatwoods, and, of course,
the beach.
It also includes Scenic Highway 30A’s signature vista, Western Lake.
Western Lake is a 100-acre coastal dune lake and a central feature of Grayton Beach State
Park.
Her generally tranquil waters are ideal for fishing, kayaking, and paddling.
Grayton Beach State Park is BYOB -- bring your own board -- or, if you left yours back
home, you can rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard from the ranger station.
There’s a 9-mile round-trip trail that meanders through the forest and around Western Lake,
as well as an easy 1-mile trail that goes through the dune ecosystem, along the salt
marsh, and through the pine Flatwoods.
You can find a Hobbit Hole, as some locals like to call it, along this trail, with a
special place for reflection.
(show prayer sign)
As an RV owner (and an Eagle Scout, for that matter), I’ve spent quite a bit of time
camping, and I can tell you with some degree of certainty that campgrounds just don’t
get any better than one you’ll find at Grayton Beach State Park.
There are 60 campsites here, most with electric and water hookups, and many that sit right
on Western Lake.
You can hear the Gulf waves from here, as the beach is only a short stroll or bike ride
away.
If you’re not into camping, they also have nice cabins for rent.
And by “cabins,” I mean really nice little duplex apartments, complete with full kitchens,
screened-in porches, and AC.
This is what you call roughing it, folks.
Of course, humans aren’t the only ones who indulge in this extraordinary preserve.
There’s a wonderful abundance of wildlife here.
Grayton Beach State Park is home to deer, black bears, alligators, osprey, bald eagles,
blue heron, pelicans, and green sea and loggerhead turtles, who deposit their precious eggs along
these shores.
The endangered Choctawhatchee beach mouse makes its home here, too, digging its burrows
in the sand dunes.
These nocturnal mice eat the seeds of the various plants here, and in doing so, spread
those seeds across the dunes, helping them grow and slow the process of erosion.
But one of Grayton Beach State Park’s most extraordinary features isn’t actually in
the park at all.
It’s about three-quarters of a mile SOUTH of the park.
Wait a minute.
Did I say south of the park?
But…
Well, yeah.
Just off-shore due south of this yellow marker, divers can find 30A’s Underwater Museum
of Art -- also known as UMA.
It’s the first of its kind in North America, just about 60 feet below the surface.
The Underwater Museum of Art was created through a partnership between 30A’s Cultural Arts
Alliance and the South Walton Artificial Reef Association.
Their mission?
To create a thriving marine habitat that’s also a cultural and educational attraction.
Whether or not this is the most beautiful beach in the whole entire world is obviously
debatable.
But truth be told, locals don’t really care much about the awards or certifications or
commendations.
No.
For most of us, just living here is reward enough.