State Parks Near Panama City Beach, Florida
14 state park units lie within 50 miles of Panama City Beach. The closest is Camp Helen State Park, about 7 mi northwest of town. 5 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Camp Helen State Park7 mi northwest
- Within 25 miles
- 5of 14 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 75 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 01 with free entry
State parks near Panama City Beach, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Panama City Beach; driving distance is usually longer.
Camp Helen State Park
Things to do include beachcombing, historic sites, swimming, wildlife watching, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers lodge rooms.
Hours, fees and rules for Camp Helen State Park →St. Andrews State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, surfing, beachcombing, historic sites, and canoeing and kayaking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for St. Andrews State Park →Deer Lake State Park
Popular activities here are swimming, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours, fees and rules for Deer Lake State Park →Eden Gardens State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Eden Gardens State Park →Grayton Beach State Park
Things to do include snorkeling and diving, surfing, beachcombing, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. Water access includes a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Grayton Beach State Park →Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, beachcombing, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach, a swimming pool, and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park →Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, swimming, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for Ponce de Leon Springs State Park →Henderson Beach State Park
Popular activities here are surfing, beachcombing, swimming, biking, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a swimming beach. Camping is available: 62 campsites across 4 camping areas, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Henderson Beach State Park →Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Camping is available: 42 campsites across 2 camping areas, including RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park →Falling Waters State Park
Things to do include swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are 26 campsites across 3 camping areas (RV sites with full hookups and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Falling Waters State Park →Shoal River Headwaters State Park
In Walton County, about 7 miles northwest of DeFuniak Springs, Shoal River Headwaters State Park covers about 2,480 acres.
Hours, fees and rules for Shoal River Headwaters State Park →T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Popular activities here are snorkeling and diving, beachcombing, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park →William J "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area
William J "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area is a recreation area in Gulf County, about 8 miles southwest of Port St. Joe.
Hours, fees and rules for William J "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Area →Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Popular activities here are historic sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Constitution Convention Museum State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Panama City Beach
- St. Andrews State Park 11 mi southeast · 180 campsites
- Grayton Beach State Park 18 mi west · 37 campsites
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 26 mi west · 183 campsites
- Henderson Beach State Park 36 mi west · 62 campsites
- Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 38 mi northwest · 42 campsites
+ 2 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Panama City Beach
- Camp Helen State Park 7 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Deer Lake State Park 13 mi northwest · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Grayton Beach State Park 18 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 26 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park 46 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Swimming near Panama City Beach
- Camp Helen State Park 7 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- St. Andrews State Park 11 mi southeast · Beach, pool or swim area
- Deer Lake State Park 13 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Grayton Beach State Park 18 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 26 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 5 more in the list above
Hiking near Panama City Beach
- Camp Helen State Park 7 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- St. Andrews State Park 11 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Deer Lake State Park 13 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Eden Gardens State Park 17 mi northwest · Hiking trails listed
- Grayton Beach State Park 18 mi west · Hiking trails listed
+ 6 more in the list above
Fishing near Panama City Beach
- Camp Helen State Park 7 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- St. Andrews State Park 11 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Eden Gardens State Park 17 mi northwest · Fishing listed
- Grayton Beach State Park 18 mi west · Fishing listed
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 26 mi west · Fishing listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Free state parks near Panama City Beach
- Shoal River Headwaters State Park 42 mi northwest · No entrance fee listed
Questions about state parks near Panama City Beach
What is the closest state park to Panama City Beach?
Camp Helen State Park is the closest, about 7 miles northwest of Panama City Beach in a straight line. Next are St. Andrews State Park and Deer Lake State Park.
How many state parks are near Panama City Beach?
14 state park units are within 50 miles, and 5 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Panama City Beach have camping?
7 parks list camping, the nearest being St. Andrews State Park, Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Panama City Beach?
None of the parks listed here say dogs are allowed. Check each park page before bringing a pet.
Are there free state parks near Panama City Beach?
1 park list no entrance fee: Shoal River Headwaters State Park. Camping and some activities can still cost extra.
State parks near other cities
- Near Panama City, FL13 mi east
- Near Crestview, FL55 mi northwest
- Near Dothan, AL75 mi north
- Near Enterprise, AL75 mi north
- Near Pensacola, FL80 mi west
- Near Ozark, AL85 mi north
Or see all Florida state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.