In this video, we check out every public access beach in Walton County Florida. Visit South Walton and 30A for the best white sand beaches in NW Florida Check out The First Timers on Youtube @thefirstimers
Regional Beach Accesses (RBAs)
RBAs are larger public access points with parking, restrooms, showers, bike racks, seasonal lifeguards (March–September, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.), beach condition flags, and often ADA accessibility. Walton County currently has ten RBAs, listed from east to west:
Inlet Beach Regional Access
Address: 438 S Orange St Center, Inlet Beach, FL 32461
Details: Divided into three entry points (A, B, C), offering the longest stretch of public beach among RBAs. Access B is the largest, with restrooms, a pavilion, and paved pathways. Features 110 parking spaces, ADA accessibility, beach wheelchairs, and access to Grouper Reef for snorkeling (925 feet offshore).
Amenities: Restrooms, showers, bike racks, lifeguard tower, beach chair rentals, ADA ramp.
Santa Clara Regional Beach Access
Address: 3468 E Scenic Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Located in Seagrove Beach, this access offers ample parking and a lifeguard tower.
Amenities: ADA-accessible restrooms, parking, showers, lifeguard tower, beach condition flag.
Van Ness Butler Regional Beach Access
Address: 1931 E Scenic Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Another Seagrove Beach access with ADA accessibility and picnic facilities.
Amenities: ADA-accessible restrooms, parking, picnic pavilion, lifeguard tower, beach condition flag.
Walton Dunes Regional Beach Access
Address: 258 Beachfront Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Located in Seacrest Beach, this access provides parking and lifeguard services.
Amenities: Parking, lifeguards, beach condition flag.
Ed Walline Regional Beach Access
Address: 4447 W Scenic Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Situated near Gulf Place in Santa Rosa Beach, this access is popular for its picnic pavilion and ADA accessibility.
Amenities: ADA-accessible restrooms, parking, picnic pavilion, lifeguard tower, beach condition flag.
Gulfview Heights Regional Beach Access
Address: 186 Gulfview Heights St, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Located in Santa Rosa Beach, this access offers a picnic pavilion and ample parking.
Amenities: Restrooms, parking, picnic pavilion, lifeguard tower, beach condition flag.
Blue Mountain Regional Beach Access
Address: 2365 S Scenic Hwy 83, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: In Blue Mountain Beach, this access is near coastal dune lakes, a rare ecological feature.
Amenities: Restrooms, parking, lifeguard tower, beach condition flag.
Dune Allen/Ft. Panic Regional Beach Access
Address: 5753 W Co Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Located west of County Road 393 on Scenic Hwy 30A, this access offers ADA accessibility.
Amenities: Restrooms, parking, ADA access, lifeguard tower, beach condition flag.
Miramar Beach Regional Access
Address: 2375 Scenic Gulf Dr, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Details: The westernmost RBA, near Pompano Joe’s, with extensive parking and ADA accessibility.
Amenities: ADA-accessible restrooms, parking, showers, lifeguard tower, beach wheelchairs, beach condition flag.
Scenic Gulf Drive Regional Access
Address: 907 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Details: Opened in 2022, this is the newest RBA, featuring a gazebo with picnic tables, 15 parking spaces, and ample bike/golf cart parking. Offers a scenic view from a sandy bluff.
Amenities: Restrooms, showers, ADA-accessible ramp, beach wheelchairs, shaded benches, gazebo.
Neighborhood Beach Accesses (NBAs)
NBAs are smaller, designed for walk-up traffic, and may lack extensive parking or restrooms. Many have beach condition flags and lifeguard presence during peak season. The exact number and locations of NBAs are numerous (over 40), and not all are individually named in available sources. Below are notable NBAs mentioned in the data, listed approximately from east to west:
Inlet Beach Access (Additional Points)
Location: Near 435 W Park Place Ave, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Details: Additional walk-up access points near Inlet Regional Beach Access, often with lifeguard presence.
Amenities: Beach condition flag, lifeguards.
Seacrest Beach Access
Location: Near Seacrest Beach community
Details: Provides walk-up access to public beach areas, often with flags indicating surf conditions.
Amenities: Beach condition flag.
Alys Beach Access
Location: Near Alys Beach community
Details: Limited public access via boardwalk, primarily for walk-up traffic.
Amenities: Beach condition flag.
Rosemary Beach Access
Location: Near Rosemary Beach community
Details: Public walk-up access, though much of Rosemary Beach is private.
Amenities: Beach condition flag.
Seaside Beach Access
Location: Near Seaside community
Details: Public access via boardwalk, though Seaside has private deeded sections.
Amenities: Beach condition flag.
Seagrove Beach Access
Location: Near 3468 E County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Multiple walk-up access points, some near Stinky’s Fish Camp. A new RBA is under construction at 3910 E County Hwy 30A, expected to open in 2025.
Amenities: Beach condition flag, limited parking.
Santa Juan Beach Access
Address: 3458 W Co Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Walk-up access with ADA restrooms and lifeguard presence.
Amenities: ADA-accessible restrooms, lifeguards, beach condition flag.
Grayton Beach Access
Location: Near Grayton Beach State Park
Details: Walk-up access, with some areas permitting vehicle access via permit.
Amenities: Beach condition flag, lifeguards.
Blue Mountain Beach Access (Additional)
Location: Near Blue Mountain Regional Access
Details: Walk-up access points supplementing the RBA.
Amenities: Beach condition flag.
Miramar Beach Access (Additional)
Location: Near Pompano Joe’s or Geronimo Street
Details: Walk-up access points, such as near BeachHouse Condo on Geronimo Street.
Amenities: Lifeguards, beach condition flag.
State Parks with Beach Access
Walton County has three state parks offering Gulf of Mexico beach access, each with an entry fee but providing access to pristine, natural beaches:
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Location: 7525 W Scenic Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Offers 3.2 miles of secluded beach, with parking, restrooms, and tram service to the shore.
Amenities: Restrooms, parking, bike racks, ADA access.
Grayton Beach State Park
Location: 357 Main Park Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Features a mile of sugar-white sand, with parking, restrooms, and trails.
Amenities: Restrooms, parking, playgrounds, ADA access.
Deer Lake State Park
Location: 6352 E County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Details: Provides access to a coastal dune lake and Gulf beaches, with boardwalk access.
Amenities: Restrooms, parking, boardwalk, ADA access.
Notes on Public Beach Access
Interactive Map: The Walton County Tourism Department provides an interactive map at www.visitsouthwalton.com/beach-bay-access-locations, where you can enter an address to find the nearest public access. The map color-codes public (green/blue), owner-managed private (tan), and private (red) beaches.
Customary Use Settlement: A 2023 settlement allows public access to the “transitory zone” (20 feet landward of the wet/dry sand line) on some private beaches for walking, running, and water access, and for sunbathing from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Check signage and the map for restrictions.
Beach Rules: No glass containers, charcoal grills, or tents larger than 10×10. Leave No Trace policies apply, and items left overnight are discarded. Permits are required for dogs, bonfires, and vehicles (only at Grayton Beach).
Safety: Lifeguards are present at RBAs and some NBAs from March to September. Check beach condition flags (text FLAG to 31279 for updates) and be aware of rip currents.
Ongoing Developments: A new RBA in Seagrove Beach (3910 E County Hwy 30A) is under construction, expected to open in mid-2025, with parking, restrooms, and ADA access
