If you’re planning a trip to Panama City, Florida, you want to make sure you have an opportunity to enjoy everything the area has to offer. That includes checking out some of the best nearby travel destinations. To get the most out of your Panama City beach vacation, be sure to include some of these top places to enjoy outdoor recreation in the area.
St. Andrews State Park
Image via Flickr by chrismccorkle2
You don’t have to go far to enjoy some of the best outdoor recreation on your trip to Panama City Beach. In fact, you just have to head southwest to St. Andrews State Park. This 1,200-acre park has St. Andrews Bay on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Not only does the park boast 1.5 miles of pristine beaches that are ideal for fishing, swimming, and relaxing in the sun, but you’ll also find a variety of other activities available.
Bicycling the two miles of paved roads is one of the more popular pastimes in the park. If you like to hike, the park has two trails. The Gator Lake trail offers scenic views of the lake, and the Heron Pond Trail takes you through the flatwood pine forest before heading out toward Sandy Point. Other activities in the park include paddling, boating, snorkeling, diving, surfing, and picnicking.
Grayton Beach State Park
Grayton Beach State Park is another fantastic park that’s just a short drive from Panama City. Situated about 38 miles northwest, this 2,200-acre state park offers white sand beaches, interesting nature trails, and a unique coastal dune lake. While the beach is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful in the country, it’s not the only activity worth enjoying at the park.
You can use a canoe or kayak to explore Western Lake, which is a 100-acre coastal dune lake. The hiking opportunities range from a 1-mile nature trail to a 9-mile round-trip hiking and biking trail that goes through the forest and around Western Lake. The park is also a good place for biking, swimming, fishing, and birdwatching.
When you’re done at the park, consider heading to the small, neighboring community of Grayton Beach. This charming destination has art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants nestled among its colorful cottages and Hemingway-style wooden houses.
Shell Island
Shell Island is a favorite destination for both visitors and locals. This 7-mile stretch of undeveloped barrier island beach running between the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. The island has numerous ecosystems worth exploring, including rolling sand dunes, pine hammocks, coastal scrub forests, and an inland lake. If you’re interested in looking for seashells, this island lives up to its name. As you’re strolling along the seashore, you might discover sand dollars, conch shells, whelks, olive shells, moon snails, and more.
Since Shell Island is indeed an island, part of the adventure is getting there. One of the most convenient ways to get to the island is to take a ride on the Shell Island Shuttle or the PCB Shell Island Express Ferry. If you want to enjoy the island at your own pace, you can also rent a boat to travel there on your own.
Capt. Anderson’s Marina
Are you looking to get out on the water near Panama City? Then pack up your vehicle and head to Capt. Anderson’s Marina. This marina has something for everyone in the family to enjoy. If you’re interested in doing some fishing, book one of the fishing trips. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, you’ll have a great time aboard one of the large, comfortable fishing boats. Your trip options range from a five-hour day trip to a 10-hour excursion.
All of the boats are equipped to serve breakfast and lunch sandwiches, coffee, sodas, beer, and snacks. Once you get back to the dock, you can head over to the fish market to get your catch cleaned and filleted while you wait.
The dolphin tours are another popular option at Capt. Anderson’s Marina. These tours take place on the Capt. Anderson III, which has a covered open upper deck seating area and a climate-controlled lower deck with viewing windows. To make your trip even more comfortable, the boat also has restrooms and a snack bar. Another great tour option is the Sunset Dolphin Encounter, which lets you watch the dolphins play while also taking in the gorgeous sunset.
Rosemary Beach
Rosemary Beach is a charming community located just 25 miles up the coast from Panama City. This peaceful community was developed to help preserve the soft dunes, crystal clear water, and local plants. The result is an almost untouched paradise known for its pristine beach and charming town center. If you’re looking for outdoor activities to enjoy around Rosemary Beach, you’ll discover plenty of exciting options.
Consider renting a paddleboard to explore the area by water. You can also rent a bike to cruise around the community. If you’re interested in getting in a game of golf, you’ll be pleased to know that the community has several celebrated courses surrounding it. Or you can choose to spend some time on the water by booking a dolphin sightseeing tour, snorkeling trip, or fishing excursion.
Another good option is taking a hike or bike ride on the Timpoochee Trail. Named for Euchee Chief Timpoochee Kinnard, this 19-mile trail starts near Rosemary Beach and travels to just beyond Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Along the way, you’ll pass by several other state parks, quaint beach towns, and numerous beach access points. If you decide to go all the way to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, you’ll find more hiking trails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and 3.2 miles of beaches that are ideal for swimming, fishing, or just relaxing.
At Panama City Toyota, these are our favorite nearby travel destinations. Did we miss one of your favorite places to go when you visit Panama City Beach? Then be sure to contact Panama City Toyota and let us know!
