Cycling Trails, Outdoor Adventures & Unique Wildlife In Gulf Country, Florida
Aug
This post brought to you by Gulf County Florida. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Bicycle Touring Pro.
Situated on the state’s infamous panhandle, Gulf County, Florida is the home to a population of approximately 15,000 people and 244 miles of coastline. Due to it’s location on the Gulf of Mexico in the southern part of the United States, Gulf County, Florida makes for an excellent destination to go cycling, hiking, boating, golfing, kayaking, snorkeling or enjoy an array of other outdoor activities. Whether it’s spring, summer, winter or fall, there’s always something to do in Gulf County, Florida!
Click here to access the Gulf County, Florida Adventure Guide.
Cycling & Walking Trails
If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity to do in Gulf County, Florida, then consider a bike ride along the Loggerhead Run Bike Path – an eight mile trail that runs the length of the Cape from St. Joseph Peninsula State Park to Salinas Park along Hwy 30E. This dedicated cycling/walking route is a flat and easy-to-enjoy paved trail that the entirely family will appreciate and is ideal for cycling, running or walking. Other notable bike/walking trails in the area include the Windmark Beach Trail and the Baywalk Trail – each of which is a traffic-free path intended for the use of walkers, joggers and cyclists only.
Bird-Watching & Wildlife
If wildlife is your thing, there’s no shortage of that in Gulf County, Florida. Honeybees dash from flower to flower, while deer frolic in the forests, dolphins leap from the bay, sea turtles swim off the seashore, and eagles fly overhead. Due to it’s location on the water, Gulf County, Florida is the home to a vast array of marine wildlife – including seals, sharks, starfish, seahorses, oysters and a whole lot more! On the land, however, visitors to Gulf County might be fortunate enough to spot rare birds, a panther, bobcat, or even one of Florida’s famous alligators!
Boating & Sailing
One of the best ways to explore Gulf County, Florida is by boat. Due to its location on the Gulf of Mexico and it’s close proximity to Panama City, Florida, there are a large number of boating and sailing options available. The Port St. Joe Marina is located in the heart of St. Joseph Bay and is the primary destination for those wishing to get out on the open water. The Marina features over a hundred wet slips and nearly a hundred more dry storage areas, as well as a gift shop, a spacious restroom/shower area and laundry facilities. If you don’t have your own boat, rental boats are available through Seahorse Water Safaris at the Port St. Joe Marina, as well as a variety of guided trips, eco-tours, shelling excursions, sunset cruises and snorkeling adventures!
Camping
While vacation homes, hotels and B&Bs are available throughout there area, many who come to Gulf County, Florida do so in order to get closer to nature… and there’s not better way to do that than to go camping! Throughout Gulf County, campers will find a variety of full-facility campsites offering tent and RV sites with water and electricity. Amenities such as in-ground pools, kitchenettes, onsite ice and general stores are often included and pets are often welcome, too! Indian Pass Campground, Presnell’s RV Resort & Outfitters and Dead Lakes Park Campground in Wewahitchka are some of the more popular and well-equipped campgrounds in the area.
Diving & Snorkeling
While there is a vast array of birds and wildlife to be see on land, there are also hundreds of unique plant and animal species living in the Gulf County area that can only be seen by getting in the water – which is why diving and snorkeling are some of the most popular outdoor activities in the area. With more than 200 artificial reefs in the vicinity, Gulf Country visitors can dive on artificial reefs that are as close as 2 miles from shore and as far out as 45 miles in the Gulf of Mexico. Most dives range in depth from 20 to 150 feet. One of the most popular dives in the area is to the 463-foot long Empire Mica – a British Tanker that was sunk by a German submarine during World War II and is considered to be one of Florida’s best wreck dives at a depth of just 108 feet.
Golf, Volleyball, Basketball & Tennis
Golfers will be in heaven when they see the links at St. Joseph’s Bay Golf Club, situated between Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas – across the road from St. Joseph Bay. Situated so close to the water you might have a difficult time telling where the course ends and nature begins, St. Joseph’s Bay Golf Course is open to the public with a par-72, 18-hole layout and a USGA Rating of 71.7. While golf is a major attraction in the state of Florida, there are a number of other outdoor activities in Gulf County that you are sure to enjoy. For example, volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts can be found at a number of parks in the area, including those at Frank Pate Park, Veterans Memorial Park at Beacon Hill and Salinas Park-Bayside.
Kayaking & Stand-Up-Paddling
Finally, a visit to Gulf County, Florida wouldn’t be complete without a kayak or stand-up-paddling adventure. Kayaking and paddle-boarding are two great ways to explore St. Joseph Bay and connect with the great outdoors. Whether you use your kayak to fish from or you simply want to get out on the water and have a little exercise, a trip around the bay on a kayak or a paddle-board is an absolute must! Bring your own equipment or rent a kayak/paddle-board from one of the many outfitters in Port St. Joe, WindMark Beach, St. Joe Beach or Cape San Blas. Canoes, paddle-boards and kayaks of all shapes and sizes can be had at relatively inexpensive prices. Make sure you inquire about participating in a guided kayak or paddle-board adventure if you want a behind-the-scenes look at all that Gulf County, Florida has to offer!
Leave a Comment & Be Entered to Win a $50.00 Gift Card
In the comments section below, tell me which of the adventures in the Gulf County Adventure Guide would you and your family enjoy taking part in? And why? Just leave a comment below to enter the contest. On September 12, 2016 I’ll randomly select a winner (via random.org) and will announce the winner here on the website. The winner will receive a $50 AMEX Gift Card, which can be used like cash anywhere that American Express is accepted.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
One winner, chosen at random from all eligible entries received, will receive a $50 AmEx gift card, and will be announced on or about 10 days after end of entry period. Entrants may enter within 21 days of this post going live. Must be a resident of one of the 48 contiguous United States (excl. PR, HI, AK) the age of majority in his or her jurisdiction at time of entry. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Sweepstakes is sponsored by Gulf County.
Photos provided by Gulf County Florida Tourism.
Gulf County sounds like the kind of place where it would be nice to go there and do absolutely nothing. Just sit on the beack, read a book and enjoy whosever company you happen to be in. That being said, if I had to pick one of the activities mentioned here, I’d enjoy kayaking. I’ve only done it once before and I struggled with it, but I think it would be more fun if I were doing it in an area where there’s a chance of seeing some unique wildlife.
There’s nothing more enjoyable than a family trip to the beach. I’d want to do it all, the stand up paddling sounds fun though. As does the nightlife. I’ve been to Florida before, but never to Gulf County.
I would love to participate in a cycling and camping trip in Gulf County. it sounds like a great place for an easy, relaxing bicycle adventure.
My wife would enjoy the beaches and the boat life. I’d enjoy the golf clubs and the local beers.
Looks like our kind of bike tour Wendy Millard ❤️
Though I would normally pick bicycling, going kayaking sounds pretty awesome.
I visited Florida as a teenager, but I haven’t been back as an adult. I would love to visit this state again and spend some time touring the coast. Thanks for the blog post.
Without a doubt is the best place for a nice vacation enjoying the open air.
Sounds wonderful.
Spent a couple of summers working on my Masters Degree at the United States Sports Academy in nearby Daphne, Alabama. I spent several weekends enjoying the beaches in nearby Gulf County, FL. When I return I’d like to ride the bike paths and try the kayaking.
On my list for sure!
Definitely kayaking or SUPing as I enjoy paddling sports but it has been a while since my racing days so to get back into it in such a scenic location would be brilliant.
I would love to enjoy Florida and experience sunsets like this as well as biking, snorkeling, hiking and other activities.
Sone of our best weekends have been a early morning ride followed by 18 holes iof golf, in e gulf country we could add camping and scuba to the trip. Although think golf clubs wouldn’t be easy to pack in bike pannier
I’ve never been to Florida before and I would just love to check out all the areas listed above,,, especially running on the multi-use trail
Kayaking with gators sounds like fun for the whole family.
I’d love to camp and cycle in Gulf County!
I am looking for warm weather cycling and my kayak has not been wet for a long time.This looks like the perfect place for a winter trip….. Can’t wait.
Looks like a great place to go, even for someone who lives as far as I do, in Czech Republic.
It all sounds lovely!
The biking and kayaking would be of interest.
Haven’t been to Florida yet. Now I definitely want to go!
Looks like a good place for this Canadian to see in the winter!
Sounds like a great vacation destination. I would definitely enjoy kayaking and snorkeling.
I especially like the kayak and stand up paddling part. Just to be outside and part of nature in that part of the world is a wonderful experience…
Winter getaway for us Minnesotans.
A balance of activities makes for lots of fun.
The Bay at St Joseph Peninsula State Park looks like a great place to visit: it has camping, fishing, you can picnic, there is something for everyone to enjoy there.
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Cycling, hiking, and camping
Congratulations to Irene Karton… who was selected as the winner of the $50 AMEX gift card.
And thank you Gulf County Florida for organizing this wonderful little giveaway!