Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park is very popular with beachgoers in warm weather on weekends. The beach has nesting Snowy Plovers, and in winter look offshore for Bonaparte’s Gulls and Northern Gannets. On the north side of CR 30A, the 4.2-mile Grayton Beach Hike and Bike Trail runs through pine flatwoods and along the north end of Western Lake (a brackish, coastal dune lake), which can be good for Great Blue Heron, Bald Eagle, Barred Owl, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Pied-billed Grebe. For longer hikes, the Lake Loop Trail connects to Point Washington State Forest’s extensive trail system. Don’t miss the 1-mile, interpretive, Grayton Beach Nature Trail, which begins at the beach parking area. As it winds through sand dunes and under a sand live oak canopy, look for Savannah Sparrow and Orange-crowned Warbler in winter; an additional loop also runs through pine flatwoods (listen for Eastern Bluebird) and along the southern end of Western Lake (check for Common Loon in winter). As with all coastal sites in Florida, look for songbirds during spring and fall migration; 15 species of wood-warbler have been recorded including Blackpoll and Hooded. Loaner optics and field guides are available, ask at the ranger station when you enter the park.