Florida State Park's "Grayton Beach"/ St Joseph Peninsula review .....

[BigDaddyRog]

Anyone ever been there? We're goin Sunday afternoon thru Tuesday morning because it seems like a decent place according to what little I could find on it on the web....have any of you florida crackers been there? Pictures? Warnings? Praises?

[LMC]

I have not been there but the general area (beaches, traffic, dining) will be good. We usually stay at Topsail Hill since they have a pool. You should pass Topsail so you may want to stop by and take a look at it for future reference! About $32/nite

[bama_ed]

Rog,

I've heard good things about Grayton Beach. Supposedly one of the prettier state park/beach combo's in the country. Never been there but in doing my research this is what I've heard. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Bama ED

PS-I'm thinking of picking up some "pop-up gizmos" for my camper. They cover the bunk end tops to keep the heat out (reflects) and keep the inside cooler which helps your a/c unit keep up. Being in LA you may experience this phenomina. Ever heard of them? Lots swear by them. Also can be used in cold weather camping to keep heat in. I'm probably going to get a pair before next summer. :3dglasses

[Born 2 Fish]

Rog, I've never been there either,,but it has to be better than going to work with those WORTHLESS dingleberries at the donut shop !

Have a great time !




sun on the buns and sand where the sun don't shine,,Yeah Baby !! :thumbsup2

[des1954]

Dude, you're CAMPING!! There's bound to be fishing. So who cares what the CG is like? The beach will keep the kids occupied. Let's just hope the comfort station is to Gina's liking. :thumbsup2

[BigDaddyRog]

I have not been there but the general area (beaches, traffic, dining) will be good. We usually stay at Topsail Hill since they have a pool. You should pass Topsail so you may want to stop by and take a look at it for future reference! About $32/nite

I was going to make a reservation at Topsail for the Tuesday and Wednesday night following our stay at Grayton Beach...but I thought the $42/night was kinda high..but I didnt realize they had a swimming pool with that price....I may rethink my decision now.

Rog, I've never been there either,,but it has to be better than going to work with those WORTHLESS dingleberries at the donut shop !
Have a great time !
sun on the buns and sand where the sun don't shine,,Yeah Baby !! :thumbsup2

I never had a clue how getting my own little camper would make me wanna go out with it as often as I do....this is the last week we'll be able to take advantage of since the kids start back to school on August 7th. From there on...I guess the camper stays locked up in the garage for the rest of the year until maybe Thanksgiving break. Im 41 years old and I STILL hate school!!!

Dude, you're CAMPING!! There's bound to be fishing. So who cares what the CG is like? The beach will keep the kids occupied. Let's just hope the comfort station is to Gina's liking. :thumbsup2
Good point Deb...beats sitting at home watching The Suite Life on Deck and I-Carly reruns!!!

Rog,

I've heard good things about Grayton Beach. Supposedly one of the prettier state park/beach combo's in the country. Never been there but in doing my research this is what I've heard. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Bama ED

PS-I'm thinking of picking up some "pop-up gizmos" for my camper. They cover the bunk end tops to keep the heat out (reflects) and keep the inside cooler which helps your a/c unit keep up. Being in LA you may experience this phenomina. Ever heard of them? Lots swear by them. Also can be used in cold weather camping to keep heat in. I'm probably going to get a pair before next summer. :3dglasses

Ed,Ive seen the same reviews...one guy said the beach rivaled some of the natural beaches of Hawaii....I think that may be a real stretch of the truth, but it sure caught my attention!!

I have heard of the Gizmos. Ive copied the idea with a couple of silver tarps clipped to my roof for now...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/6200_1185448959665_1331505668_52594.jpg

...but Home Depot sells a product called REFLECTIX that I will buy soon...its about $40 bucks for a roll thats 4'x25', highly reflective and has some real insulation value (its about 1/3" thick).
Here's a shot of what it looks like...
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/reflectix.jpg

its saves a few buck when compared to the real Gizmos price. And YES....even the cheap tarps Im using right now make a HUGE difference in how much cooler the pop-up stays in the middle of the day.

That picture of my pop-up with the tarps clipped to it is from Gulf State Park....I took your advice and stayed their last week....BEAUTIFUL PARK, especially if you can nab a waterfront site!!! Thanks for the suggestion, Ed....we will most likely stay there again for the two days after Grayton Beach, unless I decide to pay the $42/night at Topsail. Thanks for the heads up on that park.....We will definately be regulars there!!

heres a couple of more shots of our site from Gulf State Park:


http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/6200_1185448839662_1331505668_52593.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/6200_1185448879663_1331505668_52594.jpg

and some shots from Gulf State's beach:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/6200_1185448719659_1331505668_52593.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/6200_1185448479653_1331505668_52593.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/6200_1185448519654_1331505668_52593.jpg

Sunsets were beautiful...water was as clear as a swimming pool....not very crowded at all...and a cool breeze constantly flowing through...great place to stay!! Thanks again Ed!!

[LMC]

I think you will love topsail. it was a private resort years ago and I guess the guy that owned it donated it to the state upon his death. very kid friendly. everything is paved. great biking area for the kids. we put a helmet on them hand them a walkie and let them loose! Did it go up to $42/nite. I made my ressies summer of '08 for May '09 and it was $32/nite back then. I have not made my ressies for May '10 yet but really need to cause they book up fast!!!

[bama_ed]

Rog,

Those are some great pictures of your setup at Gulf. I'm glad to see you getting out and using your camper as much as you are - that's great. The one thing I will say about those lakeside sites at Gulf is don't get one in the winter (Dec-Feb) because the wind is pretty stiff that time of year. We also get a spot way in the back then.

I've thought about going over to some of those panhandle campgrounds in Florida but have never gotten around to it. We like going to Gulf Shores too much.

I've heard of Reflectix but need to check it out. Maybe someday - right now I'm busy getting things lined up to tailgate for the Alabama games in Tuscaloosa for the fall. RTR baby!

Gotta go and get to my Sons Of Saban (SOS) secret meeting. It'll be another tough year for the Aubs at the Barn! :wizard:

Bama ED

[Born 2 Fish]

Rog,
dude, that looked like a AWESOME good time, :thumbsup2

[BigDaddyRog]

It really was, Frank...we are really enjoying our time in the pup!!

That is...untill Gina spends a week in Tina's 5er.....she may never want to step into the pup again after that!!!



We've cancelled our Grayton Beach reservations......I read about another state park just 2 hours east of Grayton called St Joeseph Peninsula State Park....the beach looks like something Ive never seen before.....like a real tropical paradise...but on the downside...I hear the yellow flies there have a license to kill!!! But.....I guess ya cant get to heaven without going through hell!!! I have a feeling this one may make for a very interesting trip report!!!

[OK GRUMPY]

I would say Henderson, Grayton Topsail or St Joseph are really great parks. I've been to Henderson and St. Joseph and liked them both. I haven't been to St. Joseph SP since the storms. One really fun thing to do there is scalloping. We rented a pantoon and went had a great time. I think you can rent kayaks too!
Have Fun!

[disney4dan]

Rog, the photos of the Gulf camping area look great. I am so jealous now, we took a ride through our local state park last night on the bikes, wishing our TT was not in the shop being checked for leaks.

They were all set up for a triathalon that happened this morning. We've had so much rain over June and then again last week (5-inches this week since Thursday) that the lake was higher than normal, with water flowing back into it from the creek. They must be holding water back in the flood control dams to slow down the water and flood potential for the Connecticut River valley.

Oh well, many weeks of camping left to enjoy.

[des1954]

Southern Living magazine had a little "blurb" about Grayton in the September issue. It was focused on the cabins they rent, but the picture of the beach itself was awesome! I didn't realize the beaches were so pretty in the panhandle. The sand was just as beautiful as Siesta Key beach. Surprising to me!! You might want to try it sometime, Rog.

[OK GRUMPY]

Rog,
Have you been yet? I hope you have a good time!

[BigDaddyRog]

Rog,
Have you been yet? I hope you have a good time!

We did go...it was really nice and we had a very relaxing time...without much drama to report on!!! The yellow flies I had read so much about were greatly exaggerated, and maybe its because Im from Louisiana and am fairly used to mosquitoes already...but the mosquitoes weren't as bad as the reviews I had read would have lead me to believe.

I DID go swimming in the Gulf for about 2 hours before I realized my cell phone was in my pocket!! So I figured Id let it dry out on the hood of my black truck since it gets so hotwhen sitting in the sun...then drove off with the phone still on my hood!!! Most of the pictures I had of deer were on my phone...andwho knows where that may be at this point!!! But heres a few pictures that were taken with a regular camera (Im surprised I didnt find a way to lose, destroy,or blow that up in some way).

The beach was as beautiful as all of the reviews said....very Gilligan's Island like. Plush, tropical foilage, 60' dunes, soft white sand,....the only disappointment was that the water itself wasnt as clear as I had hoped(at the beach, not the bay...the bay's water was practically invisible!), but not a big deal at all, and the comfort station nearest to us was very outdated....pretty clean, but no A/C or anything.

THEY ALLOWED GOLF CARTS!!!!!!!! And THAT may make this one of the best state parks Ive ever been to!!! I only wish I had known BEFORE we got there!!

Anyway...I am honestly SEARCHING for things to complain about here...because,the overall picture was GREAT, and we will very likely return for another stay in the future.

Heres a few random pics:

our site as we were tearing down to leave:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11587.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11586.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11588.jpg

view into rear of site...I believe the scientific term for this is TREES:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11592.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11601.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11597.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11598.jpg


the campground as seen to the left of our site:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11591.jpg


to the right:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11589.jpg

and the empty site directly across from us.I think this was site #76:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11590.jpg


Some shots from the beach:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11524.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11509.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11505.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11494.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11563.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11562.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11566.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11581.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11572.jpg



And a few from the bay...the water in the bay was crystal clear and there were tons of crabs,and starfish,seahorses, stingrays...even a couple of snakes (so we were a little scared to spend very much time there) but it was indeed very pretty:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11606.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11611.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11603.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11604.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/StJoesephPeninsula/SDC11607.jpg


I highly suggest visiting this park if youre ever in the area...and dont forget to BRING THE GOLF CART!!!!

[LMC]

First off, I'm glad you had a great time! I have heard of this park from other camping friends of ours but we never want to drive the extra time.

Could you walk to the beach or was it too far? The pictures of the bay were not what I had envisioned but the beach looks really good!!!!

[OK GRUMPY]

It's been a long time since I have been there it so reminds me of Destin many many years ago and I'm so surprised it has not changed much. It's a Florida Jewel! OK I have to ask did you get invaded by racoons at night? I'm glad you had a good time!

[BigDaddyRog]

The beach wasnt more than a 5 minute walk from ANY site.There was a boardwalk entrance from the back of both camping loops. We carried the umbrella and chairs and crap with us and it still was a very nice, short walk

You're right, I bet......it doesnt seem like this park could have made many changes in many years, there really not much there to change....the Shadey Pines campground does have a few paved sites in the rear of the loop, but the rest is basicly JUNGLE, and although the paved sites looked convenient for the larger RVs, the simplicity and RAWNESS of the unpaved sites really added charm and kept the atmosphere real.

In our 4 days at the park, I only saw 1 raccoon...he was big and healthy, and very comfortable with me watching him....I think he even nodded and waved at me!!!;) All reviews Ive read boasted about armies of coons taking food out of coolers,and out of your hands, and Im sure that there are alot more than 1 coon there...but thats all WE got to see. We DID see alot of the cotton-rats...they were actually amusing to watch.they didnt really walk as much as they hopped around....so it was kinda like watching tiny kangaroos. They have cute rounded faces, so its not like seeing a city rat that sends a chill down your spine when you see it....you almost react the same way you do as when you see a deer....strangely enough!!

The bay wasnt what I was expecting either...although I didnt really have any expectations...reading about all the marine life that it harbors....I definately had a different vision in my head. But it just kinda looks like a regular lake or large pond.....an afternoon exploring in it is REALLY fun since the water rarely ever goes above your knees and you can see clearly to the bottom.

[auntie]

Oh Lord.."cotton rats" :rolleyes2..what the h-e- double hockey sticks are they?:confused3...and they jump like kangaroos?..:eek: Another charming creature natural to the southern portion of these United States. :confused:

I'm thinking this animal is one I need to add to my list of "creatures I don't ever want to meet up with personally" You know..the one that Mister Alligator, Sir..is at the top of.:rolleyes1

[BigDaddyRog]

Im literally Laughing Out Loud here...you crack me up!!!

They HONESTLY aren't that bad, they are very timid, but dont neccessarily freak out & run when they see a human.

They are at least as cute as hampsters....here are a few pics I googled for you.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/hispidcottonrat3b.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/cotton-rat.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/CRatv2.jpg

[LMC]

You must have had all the baby mice. I swear the ones I've seen at TSH are half the size of my 6lb yorkie dog. And they are NOT fun at night when they run thru your site and you are sitting there in flip flops!!!!! I put out alot of lights now so I can see what I'm sitting with.

[2goofycampers]

I believe the scientific term for this is TREES

:lmao:

[m1tchells]

We are blessed to live about 2 miles from Grayton Beach and have stayed at all the local state parks. Grayton is one of my favorite. Henderson Beach is great as well but you are smack dab in the middle of the Destin congestion whereas 30A is much more relaxed. I like GB better than Tops'l personally. Tops'l was originally a privately owned campground before the state got it. So you are a little more packed in there. Not as much privacy. But still nice and it does have the pool.

[m1tchells]

The mice you are speaking of are native to the area and are actually a protected species. Thank God for the beach mice! They have foiled many a developer's plan!:thumbsup2

Also, don't know if when you refer to the bay if you are actually speaking of the bay or the dune lakes. Both Grayton SP and Tops'l SP have dune lakes on property. There are about 17 dune lakes in our area, but they are actually very rare worldwide. Here is a great article for anyone who is interested. http://www.discover30a.com/discover/article_environment.asp?art=dunelakes.html

I have lived most of my life in Destin and just recently escaped that chaos for the quieter life of South Walton. So if anyone would like more information, restaurant recomendations, or whatever...I would be glad to help.

When we are on vacation, we are either in Disney:goodvibes, or somewhere else on the water (our family seems to be part fish). South Walton/Destin truly is everything you hear it is. The beaches are white powder (not grainy) and the water, with the exception of some occasional seaweed or storm stirrup, is truly breathtaking! Come see us!

[Doggmeat]

love st joe sp, more then st george island sp. they still have the dredge pipes out there from where they redid the beaches? have not been camping since my father moved into my camper( he makes more then me, he should move out,i digress). plan on going back soon.

[BigDaddyRog]

I didnt see any dredge pipes anywhere near the beach. They WERE building a new pier on the bay next to the visitor center.

[des1954]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t296/dj_bigdaddyrog/cotton-rat.jpg

These little rascals would work their way into our pool cage at our former home in Sarasota. I guess they would "squish" themselves under the screen door to get in. I can't tell you how many met their demise in our pool. Thankfully, they never invaded our home!! And yes Rog,,,they do resemble a hamster or gerbil.

[Tri-circle-D]

BDR- I don't know how I missed this thread before you headed to Grayton Beach. I wish I had commented before you went. For any of you considering a visit, I highly recommend this whole area of Florida.

The TCD gang has visited the town of Seaside, which is about a mile and a half east of the entrance to Grayton Beach S.P., every summer for the past 12 years! We love it! We live less than 5 miles from the beach that "Dr. Beach" named the best beach in America in 2008 (Caladesi Island S.P.), but we still love the beaches of South Walton better!

Rog- did you have a chance to visit "downtown" Grayton Beach? If not, you need to plan another trip. It is a real, old time, Florida beach town. There is a bar there called the Red Bar, which is semi famous. The likes of Cheryl Crow, Lance Armstrong, Peyton and Eli Manning, and such hang out there when they visit the area.

And, within a mile of the park entrance going the other way (east), you will come to the town of Watercolor. There are great shops there, and a nice family pizza restaurant and coffee bar. Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson were just there over the 4th of July weekend (right before Tony gave Jessica the old heave-ho). Then, about a quarter mile further, you come to Seaside.

Seaside is where the Jim Carrey movie, the Truman show, was filmed. The beach cottage that served as Truman's residence in the movie is right there, and looks exactly as it did in the movie. Just a little past this, you come to "downtown" Seaside, where there are all kinds of shops and restaurants. There has been a little Airstream trailer there that has served shaved ice for years. This year, a bunch of other Airstreams have been added, so there is now a barbecue place, a cup cake shop, a full liquor bar, and even a juice bar. In this part of town, you will find an old fashioned family grocery store, Modica Market, where you can find just about anything you might want. Across the street from here are other shops, and restaurants including a Taco Bar and a Pizza Bar, both of which are excellent and unique! All of this can be reached by bike from Grayton Beach S.P.

To the M1tchells, you are, indeed, blessed to live in this area!

TCD

[BigDaddyRog]

Wow...TCD...we didnt end up stopping in GB...drove right on past it to get to StJoe...but had I known there were so many cool highlights,I definately WOULD have stopped. We will definately return to this area, and I will save this thread in my favorites so that we can check out some of the local secrets of the area. Thanks so much.

[Tri-circle-D]

BDR- Make sure to let me know when you are heading that way again- I can give you lots of tips! There are some really great places with a lot of character in that area! I have never camped at the state park- just visited. We always rent a cottage in Seaside, which has become very expensive. I am thinking of giving the Grayton Beach S.P. campground a try. But, it is about a 380 mile drive for us to go there vs. about 90 miles to the Fort. So, when we want to camp, the Fort has always won.

TCD

[PolynesianPixie]

This looks wonderful Rog! We camp at the beach at least once a year...not the highlight of my summer, I can tell you. Beaches here and devoid of those trees of which you speak! Also the sand is well.....sandy. I don't care for it getting in everything.

I recently suggested to Scott that we meet some of our Arkansas friends somewhere around the gulf. After reading this, maybe I should push it a little more!

[BigDaddyRog]

Tcd...I will definately send you a pm before our next tripout...I love knowing the hidden hotspots.

Ami...it really was MUCH nicer than I expected. We never even got around to putting the tarps on our bunkends because it stayed so cool with all the shade we had. And you would think that camping in July in the south would be miserably hot...and it usually IS..but the gulf breeze is constant and it really wasnt all that bad. Thats not to say that a fan isnt your best friend when sittin in a screen house, but its very do-able.