Exploring Camp Helen State Park: Lake Powell, Trails & Beach

Camp Helen State Park is just a 15–20 minute drive from The Beach Break and one of our favorite places near Panama City Beach. It's a great spot for a picnic, a walk through nature, or taking beautiful photos among the trees and along Lake Powell. We highly recommend visiting, even if you only have a couple of hours to explore.

Admission is just $4 per vehicle or $2 per person if you arrive on foot or by bike. If you're visiting with family or friends, coming together in one car is the better deal. Parking is available inside the park, and you pay at the entrance honor box.

Walking Trails at Camp Helen State Park

Camp Helen has two main nature trails: North Trail, which follows Lake Powell before looping through the forest, and the shorter Oak Canopy Trail through the woods.

North Trail. Walking Along Lake Powell

The North Trail is about 1.8 miles long and starts near the parking lot. The first half-mile is paved or covered with wooden boardwalks, with views of Lake Powell, benches, and a few covered places to sit. It's a good option for a short walk or taking photos, and there's no need to complete the entire trail.

After the paved section, the route continues into a forest loop with packed earth and some sandy patches. Pick up the native plant brochure at the visitor center or the beginning of the loop. Numbered markers along the way help you identify prickly pear cactus, saw palmetto, sand pine, and other plants growing in the park. Farther along, the trail comes close to the natural shoreline of Lake Powell.

We started appreciating this trail even more after having a baby. It's a great place to come around naptime: you can walk with the stroller, then sit by the lake while your little one sleeps. We even managed the forest section with our bassinet stroller. The ground can be uneven, though, particularly after rain.

What we especially like about North Trail is being able to walk alongside the water for so long. Most walks near Panama City Beach involve walking on the sand, so having a paved lakeside path with trees and places to sit is a real bonus.

Oak Canopy Trail. A Walk Through the Forest

Oak Canopy Trail is only about half a mile long, but it's worth exploring if you enjoy walking through the woods. The path winds through a scrub oak forest, with branches forming natural tunnels overhead. It's shaded in many places, and you can hear birds singing among the trees.

The trail has a packed-earth surface rather than pavement. Look out for woodland birds such as the tufted titmouse. Bald eagles are also sometimes seen flying over the park.

If you're bringing a bike, check with the visitor center or follow the posted trail signs to find out which routes permit cycling. Not every walking trail is open to bicycles.

Lake Powell. Fishing and Wildlife

While walking along Lake Powell, don't pass up the little paths leading toward the shore. Some take you to fishing spots or small docks, where you can look into the water and sometimes see fish swimming below. We also loved watching the birds here. Herons, egrets, and ospreys are found around the lake, and visitors have spotted kingfishers, too.

Lake Powell is Florida's largest coastal dune lake. It occasionally connects to the Gulf of Mexico, allowing saltwater to mix with the freshwater. That's why anglers can find species such as bass, redfish, and speckled trout in the same lake. If you're planning to fish, check which Florida fishing license you'll need.

There's also a kayak launch near the start of North Trail, about 375 feet from the parking lot. You can bring your own kayak or paddleboard, but rentals are no longer available at the park.

Is It Safe to Swim in Lake Powell?

Swimming in Lake Powell is officially permitted, but we wouldn't recommend it as a swimming spot for families with young children. Alligators can inhabit Florida's freshwater and brackish lakes, and there are no lifeguards at Camp Helen.

We prefer enjoying Lake Powell from the walking trails and fishing areas. If you want to swim, we'd choose a Gulf beach when the water conditions are safe. Keep children and pets away from the lake's edge, and never approach or feed alligators.

Visiting the Beach

Camp Helen has a half-mile stretch of Gulf beach, and the walk there is part of the experience. The trail takes you past the park's historic buildings and through coastal dunes covered with sea oats and native plants. Look out for shorebirds along the way. The protected dunes are nesting grounds for several bird species, including snowy plovers and least terns, so be sure to stay on the marked path.

Once you reach the Gulf, you'll find white sand, open water, and a beach without the rows of beachfront hotels you see in other parts of Panama City Beach. It's a beautiful place to take photos, look for shells, or spend some time by the water. The walk from the parking lot is about 0.75 mile round trip.

There are no lifeguards, so check the beach flags before swimming.

Can You Bring Your Dog to Camp Helen?

Dogs are allowed at Camp Helen State Park, but it's not the most convenient place to explore with a pet. They're not permitted on the Gulf beach or wooden boardwalks, and parts of North Trail include boardwalk sections.

You can still walk your dog on permitted trails and spend time in the picnic areas. Dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet. If you're visiting mainly to walk along the lake or explore the beach, we'd recommend coming without your dog so you don't have to skip parts of the park.

What to Know Before You Go

Address: 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, FL 32413.
Distance from The Beach Break: About 15–20 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset.
Admission: $4 per vehicle or $2 per pedestrian or bicyclist. Pay at the entrance honor box.
Parking: Available inside the park, near the main trail access.
Restrooms: Available near the main park facilities.
Picnic areas: Tables, benches, and a covered pavilion are available. Bring your own food and drinks; don't count on finding a café inside the park.
Accessibility: The park has paved paths, accessible facilities, and picnic areas. The natural forest trails have uneven surfaces. A beach wheelchair is available through the visitor center; call ahead to confirm availability.
Camping: Not permitted. Camp Helen is a day-use park.
Park phone: 850-233-5059.

For current trail conditions, park rules, and visitor updates, check the official Camp Helen State Park website.

One of Our Favorite Places to Come Back To

We often come to Camp Helen without a particular plan. Sometimes we bring lunch for a picnic, sometimes we walk along the lake, and sometimes we spend more time watching the birds than actually walking.

If you're staying at The Beach Break, we definitely recommend making time for a visit. It's one of those places we never get tired of coming back to.