Beach Access Frequently Asked Questions

• I booked a trip, will I have beach access?
   

  Yes! You'll either have access via a variety of public beaches as well as state parks or exclusive private beach access through your booking. Contact your accommodation host to learn the specifics.

  Check out our interactive map showing the different ways to access beaches as well as other public and private amenities. 

• Where can I access public beach?

  There are more than 50 beach and bay access points that make it easy for you to enjoy the surf and sand. Check out our interactive map showing the different ways to access beaches as well as other public and private amenities. 

• How much of the beach is available for public use?

  Walton County is currently conducting a beach survey to update shoreline information. Once it's complete, we'll share the latest measurements and will be able to provide exact coordinates on public and private beaches as well as beach access points throughout the county.

• Where can I walk/run on the beach?

  You are welcome to traverse the wet sand for the entire 26 miles of beach in Walton County. 

• What is a Neighborhood Beach Access?

  Neighborhood Beach Access (NBA) offers public beach access via boardwalk. These smaller public accesses are located within neighborhoods and designed primarily for walk-up traffic. Many of these NBAs also have flags indicating current surf conditions. See a full list of NBAs here.

• What is a Regional Beach Access?

  Regional Beach Access (RBA) offers public beach access via boardwalk with restrooms, parking, showers, bike racks as well as ADA access in select locations. Our nine RBAs can be found on public beaches from Miramar Beach in the west to Inlet Beach in the east. Each RBA also has a flag indicating current surf conditions, as well as a lifeguard on duty between March and October. See a full list of RBAs here.

• How can I use the public State Park land?

  Walton County has three State Parks that offer beach access - Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park and Deer Lake State Park. Please visit https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/ to learn more. There are entry fees associated with the state parks, but it's well worth it to explore these hidden gems.

• My accommodations say "private deeded access," what does that mean?

  Private deeded access means that the property you booked offers exclusive private beach access. Check with your accommodation host to learn the specifics. 

• Who do I contact with questions?

  For questions regarding beach usage for your upcoming stay, contact your accommodation host. 

  For questions about general beach access, contact the Walton County Tourism Department at (800) 822-6877 or (850) 267-1216. 

  For questions regarding the county settlement, contact the Walton County Attorney's office here. 

• How is beach access different from before?

  Historically, Walton County has always included a mix of public and private beaches with varying rules on how and when to access the beach.
  
  As part of a 2023 settlement agreement, certain property owners are allowing beachgoers to access their private property. This is shown on our interactive map as a tan-color labeled owner-managed private beach. 
  
  As outlined in the settlement, public access to these specific privately owned beaches is now allowed up to 20 feet landward from the wet/dry sand line, known as the Transitory Zone. Beachgoers can use this area for walking, running, jogging and entry into the water for swimming and other water activities. These other rules and restrictions apply:

  - Sunbathing, whether with personal beach chairs or towels, is allowed between 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Chair/umbrella rental through a vendor may be offered.
  - To avoid overcrowding, the number of beachgoers in an owner-managed private beach is limited to the equivalent of one person per five feet of the private beach frontage.
  - Beachgoers cannot access the transitory zone through the owner-managed beach site. Pay attention to signage at these areas to determine where you can enter.
  - Private beach owners, their guests/renters have full use of their private beach, and may relocate or remove beachgoers if they are not complying with the rules.