FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 28, 2019

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

Two Florida State Parks Listed on Dr. Beach's 2019 Top 10 Beaches

Grayton Beach State Park earns a top spot on Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beach List. 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is proud to announce that two Florida State Parks are listed among the best in the nation on Dr. Beach’s Top 10 Beach List for 2019. Grayton Beach State Park is ranked at No. 3 and Caladesi Island State Park is ranked at No. 7. Both parks offer white sand beaches, beautiful scenery and amenities for visitors to enjoy.

“Caladesi Island and Grayton Beach state parks are outstanding examples of natural Florida landscapes,” Florida Park Service Director Eric Draper said. “The stewardship and hard work of Florida Park Service staff and volunteers helps protect Florida’s beaches.”      

Grayton Beach State Park in Walton County is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, boating and more. Golden sunrises and silver moonlit evenings make it the perfect spot for enjoying natural beauty. Visitors have the option to paddleboard, canoe and kayak on Western Lake or hike more than 4 miles on a nature trail through a coastal forest. Grayton Beach offers multiple options for those looking to explore or relax, all surrounded by Gulf Coast scenery.

Caladesi Island State Park, an offshore island near Clearwater, is one of the few completely natural islands along Florida’s Gulf Coast. The white sand beach offers visitors the options of swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy boating and surf-fishing, while hikers and birders can spot wildlife on a 3-mile nature trail or while kayaking.

The list is produced by coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a professor at Florida International University who is known as Dr. Beach. Every year, since 1991, Dr. Beach has released a list of the top 10 beaches using 50 criteria he created criteria to determine the ranking of the nation’s top beaches including water temperature, sand softness and park safety.

About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails

The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of three National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first three-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005 and 2013 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.

Florida’s 174 state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 1,500 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. Download the Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app, available on iTunes and Android Market, to plan your trip and enhance your experience. For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

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