"Slices of 30A"

October is Coastal Dune Lakes Month

This month, Walton County invites locals and visitors to celebrate one of our coast’s most extraordinary natural treasures—our coastal dune lakes. The Walton County Board of County Commissioners has officially proclaimed October 27–31, 2025, as Coastal Dune Lakes Week, recognizing their global rarity and vital role in our ecosystem.

If you’ve followed our recent blog about what makes these rare lakes so unique, you already know they’re found in only a few places worldwide and support a delicate balance of saltwater and freshwater life.

Experience the Lakes Up Close

Throughout the week, the Walton County Coastal Dune Lake Advisory Board will host guided activities to help the public learn more about these rare ecosystems and the efforts to protect them.

Highlights include:

• Grayton Beach State Park Lecture & Trail Tour
• Thursday, October 30 | 9–11 a.m.
• Join the UF Panhandle Outdoor Live team and local UF Extension Agents for a guided walk around Western Lake. Discover the history, ecology, and conservation work that keep our dune lakes healthy.
  • Meet at the beach pavilion at 8:45 a.m. (park entry $5 per vehicle)
  • Wear comfortable footwear and bring water; the trail includes sand, forest, and wetlands.
  • The two-hour tour may be canceled in the event of bad weather.
• Native Plant Tour at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
• Led by Master Naturalist Bill Kuenstler, this walk explores native plant species essential to dune lake health. Free T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Follow the Walton County Facebook page for updates and additional event details.

Enjoy October Outdoors

October is one of the most enjoyable times to explore 30A—pleasant temperatures, calmer Gulf waters, and fewer crowds. Beyond the week’s events, you can still enjoy the lakes by paddling Western Lake, bird-watching at Camp Helen, or simply hiking the Dune Lake Trail through Grayton Beach State Park.

If you’re looking for more fall happenings along the coast, explore our South Walton fall events roundup featuring festivals, concerts, and community gatherings.

Keep Our Lakes Healthy

When visiting, please stay on marked trails, avoid disturbing dune vegetation or lake outfalls, and keep a safe distance from wildlife. The lakes’ tea-colored tint comes from natural tannins, not pollution—a reminder of their unique coastal chemistry.

Protecting What Makes 30A Special

Our coastal dune lakes are part of what makes the 30A lifestyle so distinct—where natural beauty, community, and thoughtful preservation coexist. By learning about and caring for these rare ecosystems, we help protect the coastal character that makes this place so remarkable—for residents, visitors, and generations to come.

For more information about Coastal Dune Lakes Week, contact Melinda Gates, Environmental Manager, at (850) 892-8108 or melinda.gates@mywaltonfl.gov.