Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

Orange Beach is roughly 7 miles long and features many public beach access areas; I parked at the Gulf State Park Cotton Bayou Beach Access area. This small beach area is found at the intersection of Highway 182 and Highway 161, nestled between some of the most popular condominiums in the area. There are restrooms, outdoor showers, and ample free parking on site. The beach is easily accessible ...

Located within Big Lagoon State Park, the Sand Pine Loop and Big Lagoon Observation Tower offer visitors an immersive experience of Florida’s diverse coastal ecosystems. This combination of trail and observation point provides scenic views, wildlife sightings, and a tranquil environment for outdoor enthusiasts. Sand Pine Loop Trail: • Difficulty: Easy • Terrain: The trail winds through...

The Bayou Marcus Birding Trail offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Northwest Florida’s wetland ecosystems up close. This elevated boardwalk trail provides scenic views and abundant wildlife-watching opportunities, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts. Trail Overview • Length: Approximately 1.5 miles (8,000 feet) of boardwalk • Accessibility: The trail is wheel...

The Naval Live Oaks Area, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore near Gulf Breeze, Florida, offers visitors over 7.5 miles of scenic hiking trails through diverse coastal landscapes include the Naval Live Oaks Trail. Hours of Operation: • Park Hours: Open daily from 8:00 AM to sunset. Fees and Permits: • Entrance Fee: There is no entrance fee to access the Naval Live Oaks Ar...

Chain of Lakes Trail in Blackwater River State Park is a relatively easy 1.4-mile loop trail that takes less than a half hour to hike around. The trail starts just southeast of the Deaton Bridge at the trailhead in the parking lot. There may be birders or people fishing along the trail, but if you come early, you may be able to find some solitude.  Blackwater River State Park is open from 8 am...

SCUBA dive the Air Force Barge, AKA Englin Barge, located at Latitude 30.35415°, Longitude -86.49302°. For this trip, I went through ScubaTech, a local Destin dive shop that rents dive gear, fills tanks, and takes groups out on various reef and wreck dives in the Destin area. They offer 3 hour and 4 hour trips.  ScubaTech took us out on the “Sea Cobra,” "...the fastest, most comfortable dive b...