Fort Walton Beach, Florida is a vacation destination on the map where visitors can easily spend time digging their toes into the sand and enjoying a relaxing getaway under the sun. While a trip of this type is sure to inspire, Fort Walton Beach is also a rich hub of history and adventure just waiting to be discovered. If you want to include both into your journey, make sure to add a stop at the Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park near Fort Walton Beach to your itinerary the next time you’re here!
Plan Your Visit
The Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is located at 4281 FL-20 in nearby Niceville. This inviting state park is a family-friendly destination to enjoy that’s accessible in just about 20 minutes if you follow FL-85 N from Fort Walton Beach towards Niceville. The park is open from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm every day of the week, all year long making it a convenient addition to your itinerary no matter when you happen to be heading to Fort Walton Beach. Admission to the park is $5 per vehicle carrying anywhere from two to eight passengers, $4 for single-occupant vehicles, and $2 for bikes or pedestrians.
Enjoy a Destination Rich in History
Spending time at Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park means stepping into a place with a vast legacy to its name. The land that makes up the park was ceded to the War Department by the U.S. Forestry Service back in 1940. It was used as a site for bombing and gunnery practice during World War II. By the late 1950s, Colonel Fred Gannon proposed the space be turned into a public area. It was determined a park was the best option and construction soon followed. When the roads and trails were finished, the land was purchased by the Florida State Park System and was inaugurated in 1966. Today, visitors can come to enjoy time surrounded by longleaf pines which have been standing here for more than 300 years.
Activities to Enjoy On-Site
A highlight of a visit to Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park near Fort Walton Beach is always the Rocky Bayou itself. This is a popular place for park guests to enjoy time fishing and boating as it’s the lush trailing arm of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is also a great and scenic place to make the most of an afternoon of biking, geo-seeking, or hiking the Red Cedar Trail. The Sand Pine Trail takes you out over the shore of Puddin Head Stream, while the Rocky Bayou Trail is a must when you want to loop around the bayou shorelines. Keep your eyes on the skies as you trek as this is a great place to spot Bald Eagles overhead.
Book Your Getaway Today
Take time to unwind in Fort Walton Beach enjoying stunning accommodations booked through The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach. Reach out today to learn more about our vacation rentals in Fort Walton Beach, FL available for your next adventure and to start planning!
