Paddle around the Gulf in the evening for an unforgettable sunset or an early morning workout over the glass-like still water.
A rather rare geographical feature, dune lakes are only found in two US states, Florida and Oregon, and can be seen worldwide in just three other places, Madagascar, Australia and New Zealand. A body of water found only in dune ecosystems and within two miles of the coast, dune lakes are usually shallow and irregularly shaped. And while they are permanent bodies of water, their water levels can fluctuate by large amounts as they create transitory interchanges with the Gulf of Mexico. Their waters are usually brackish and dark colored (think strong brewed tea) because they are filled from both salt and freshwater sources and contain fair amounts of dissolved organic matter, but this is nothing to be worried about! Like the very existence of the lakes, the color is simply a natural phenomenon.
Abundant Recreation at the Coastal Dune Lakes
The Florida coast boasts fifteen named dune lakes, stretching all the way from Rosemary Beach to Topsail Hill Reserve State Park. This provides an abundant amount of activities, from Coastal Dune Lakes kayaking for your whole family to enjoy on your Rosemary Beach vacation! Spend an afternoon paddling through the gentle waters of Campbell Lake, where you can rent canoes, kayaks or paddle boards. Or relax on the shoreline with a rod and reel; if you purchase a combo fresh and saltwater fishing license, you’ll have the opportunity to catch some of both. Bream, bass, catfish, redfish, flounder and speckled trout are commonly caught. If you’re looking for a different way to get out on the water, most of the lakes allow motorized boats, with a couple of exceptions, although no jet skis are allowed on any of the dune lakes.
Best Things to Do in Rosemary Beach
Vacation Rentals with a Private Pool
Lake Access Points
Some of Florida’s dune lakes have no public access points and are bordered by private property, so do be mindful and respectful. You can easily access many of the dune lakes if you take the Timpoochee Trail or Highway 30A towards Topsail Hill Reserve State Park. Some of the smaller lakes, such as Little Redfish, Alligator Lake, and Camp Creek have limited access or parking, but are a haven for things like hiking, fishing and birdwatching. Other lakes, like Deer Lake and Western Lake, can be accessed through state parks, which provides easy access and parking. Whatever activities you are looking to include in your day, you can probably find it on one of these beautiful coastal dune lakes! Start planning your Rosemary Beach vacation today, and make sure to set aside a day or two to soak in the natural beauty of these unique lakes! Book one of our most wonderful short-term vacation rentals in Rosemary Beach today!
