Camp Helen State Park Visitors Guide

Camp Helen State Park is a breathtakingly beautiful park along Panama City Beach’s pristine emerald waters, and it’s as historic as it is enchanting. In fact, from 1945 until 1987, Camp Helen was a company resort for the employees of an Alabama textile mill, but its past dates back even farther. Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans inhabited this amazing area more than 4,000 years ago!

Aside from its historical relevance, Camp Helen State Park is environmentally significant, as well, as it is home to the largest coastal dune lake in Florida! Coastal dune lakes are rare bodies of water that are found in dune areas close to the shore, with fluctuating water levels that create a unique and scenic ecosystem. These lakes are only found in Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, and in Walton County, FL!

This spectacular state park is also a dazzling destination to simply enjoy the great outdoors! From hiking through a canopy of maritime hammocks, to swimming in the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the options are practically endless. Other popular activities here include birding, fishing, paddling, picnicking, and more!