Come Early & Stay Late! 

Experience Florida's Panhandle

​For sheer species diversity, Florida’s western panhandle is tough to beat. The area harbors incredible habitat diversity, from some of the Gulf’s most pristine beaches to some of the last remaining old-growth longleaf pine savanna. Not surprisingly, such habitat diversity equates to a tremendous richness of plant and animal species. Endemic fish, salamanders, dragonflies, and even an endemic frog thrive in the unique natural communities. Add an unparalleled variety of carnivorous plants, endangered rec-cockaded woodpeckers and numerous other rare species and you get an ecosystem like nowhere else on Earth. We hope you’ll join us as we explore it at the 2020 Wildlife Viewing and Nature Tourism Academy.

Make the most of your time in ​Florida’s panhandle! Visit the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau website for area information and local attractions. www.emeraldcoastfl.com

Things To Do While In The Area

Discover north Florida’s remarkable natural wonders before and after the conference.  Our hidden gems are scattered in a surprisingly wild hotspot of biodiversity and do not even remotely resemble the stereotypical images of Florida. Plan your own adventures using the links below that give you destinations within 50, 100 and more than 150 miles from the host hotel. Or just unwind and wander the sugar-white sands fronting the hotel while savoring the glow of a winter sunset on the Gulf of Mexico.

Let’s start with destinations within 50 miles of the host hotel in Ft. Walton Beach: 
  • Henderson Beach State Park  (9 miles) offers a majestic shoreline anchored by 30-foot, snow-white sand dunes, framing the emerald waters of the coastline.  Stroll a short nature trail to explore a unique dune and coastal scrub habitat. 
  • Topsail Hill Preserve State Park  (20 miles) is a popular Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail site with 178 species listed on eBird. A rare coastal dune lake, three miles of pristine beaches, old-growth longleaf pines, sand pine scrub and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. Walkers will pass through old-growth pine forests, sandy scrubland, dunes and wetlands, where they may see some of the 13 imperiled species that find refuge there, like the Choctawhatchee beach mouse and otherworldly-looking pitcher plants in season. Beginning at Topsail Hill and heading east, you can access many local parks and birding hotspots along the 24-mile 30A Scenic Highway. Or better yet, ride along the same route by bicycle on the paved Timpoochee Trail that parallels the highway. Several bike rental shops can be found along the route. 
  • Eden Gardens State Park  The focal point of this park is the beautifully renovated, two-story Wesley House with elegant white columns and wrap around porch. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the historic home surrounded by stately, moss-draped oaks that provide a charming backdrop for weddings. Enjoy a short nature trail bordering the salt marsh and note the ‘living shoreline’ restoration that protects and rebuilds the marsh habitat. 
  • Grayton Beach State Park  (30 miles) consistently ranks among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Western Lake offers fishing and paddling, and those who want to explore on foot have four miles of trails to traverse through a coastal forest where scrub oaks and magnolias stand, bent and twisted by salt winds.
  • The Coffeen Nature Preserve (32 miles) is a fascinating World War II historic site, once a top-secret military operation. It offers a 1.5-mile nature hike and coastal dune lake. Open by appointment only, call Susan and Bruce Paladini 850-622-3700. 
  • Gulf Islands National Seashore  (33 miles)  Millions of visitors are drawn to these islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico for the white sandy beaches, aquamarine waters, boat rides, camping spots, places to fish and an old fort tour. Ft. Pickens is the destination for nature and history, where an old military rail has been turned into a bike trail. The Naval Live Oaks Area has seven miles of nature trails and the Battery Works has a great view of the entire island, including soaring eagles, horned owls and osprey, from a tower. 
  • 30A Scenic Highway

Feeling more adventurous?  Here are destinations 50-100 miles from the hotel:
  • Coldwater Gardens  (57 miles) offers comfortable glamping tents and cabins nestled within a natural landscape.  There is a modern tree house with a hot tub situated among a dense magnolia canopy. Explore six miles of well-maintained roads and hiking trails, hydroponic gardens, and sandbar beaches embracing the golden waters of Coldwater Creek.  In the summer, people float a mile on tubes and hike along the creek to repeat. There is a pitcher plant area that is only opened to respectful visitors.
  • Camp Helen State Park (59 miles) is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and by Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in Florida.  This is a Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail site with 192 species listed on eBird.  Interesting historic structures perch on a bluff graced by shady, moss-draped oaks. Hiking trails wind along the lake and end at the azure waters of the Gulf.  Visitors can rent kayaks to explore the coastal dune lake and borrow loaner optics in the park office.

Discover special destinations to the east in north Florida (>100 miles)
  • Torreya State Park (120 miles) Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Torreya is popular for camping, hiking and picnicking. Bird watching is also a popular activity. Over 100 species of birds have been spotted in the park. Forests of hardwood trees provide the finest display of fall color found in Florida. The park is named for an extremely rare species of Torreya tree that only grows on the bluffs along the Apalachicola River. Today, the park plays a critical role in preserving unique plant and animal species and natural communities that are of regional importance, and protecting the water quality of the Apalachicola River, which feeds the productive Apalachicola Bay. The park’s high plateaus, steep bluffs and deep ravines are covered with a forest that harbors a variety of rare and endemic plants and animals, many of which are more common farther north than this location.  The park was heavily impacted by Hurricane Michael in 2018. 
  • Wakulla Springs State Park (150 miles) Home of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, the sapphire water of Wakulla Springs boasts manatees, alligators and a host of diverse wildlife that can be viewed from a riverboat or the diving platform. The historic 1930s lodge is an elegant remnant of old Florida with its period furniture, original soda fountain, art-deco elevators and colorful painted ceilings that depict wildlife and Old Florida scenes.  Ancient cypress swamps made the perfect backdrop for old Hollywood movies and today are enjoyed by visitors using popular, shady nature trails.  
  • St Marks National Wildlife Refuge (162 miles), This unique refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. It is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System and renowned as one of the best birding sites in Florida. It encompasses 70,000 acres along the Gulf Coast that includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers. The refuge is a Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail Gateway where loaner optics and a map can be obtained in the Visitors’ Center for visitors to explore a diverse community of plant and animal life. An historic lighthouse was built in 1842 and is still in use today. 
  • Aucilla Wildlife Management Area (172 miles)  The area’s hardwood swamps, springs and rivers have attracted humans and wildlife since prehistoric times.  Indeed, archeologists have dated artifacts that indicate one of the earliest records of human activity in Florida. At least 12 springs give rise to the scenic Wacissa River, a tributary of the Aucilla River. Today, the Wacissa supports abundant aquatic life, including alligators, turtles, water snakes, wading birds and river otters. The limpkin, now absent from many of Florida's rivers because of poor water quality, is still abundant on the Wacissa. The best way to see wildlife in the area is by paddling on the Wacissa River early in the morning or evening, or by walking quietly along the Aucilla Sinks Trail, a segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail. 

Paddling Adventures
North Florida offers world-class paddling opportunities for all types of visitors with all level of abilities.  Make time for an unforgettable experience whether paddleboarding the dazzling emerald coastline or gliding a canoe along shady, meandering creeks.  Quiet, observant paddlers may glimpse all manner of wildlife, especially early mornings and late afternoon.  Be sure to bring binoculars and camera in a waterproof bag to capture the memories. 

Florida has a network of  state designated paddling trails offering everything from a 1,500-mile coastal trail to easy trips on sparkling spring-fed waterways.  Some waterways sustained damage during Hurricane Michael in 2018.  Check with local outfitters for current conditions.

Hiking
There are many hiking opportunities in north Florida including a remote stretch of the 1,300-mile Florida National Scenic Trail.  Visit Florida Hikes website for a comprehensive listing of regional hiking.  Visit Florida’s award-winning state parks for hiking trails and a variety of other recreation opportunities.

Create Your Own Adventure:  

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