Camp Helen State Park

Camp Helen is a day park located west of Panama City Beach just inside Bay County on U.S. 98 at the west end of the Phillips Inlet Bridge. The park is bordered on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. Named after an Alabama textile mill, Camp Helen served for years as a company resort for employees.

Although the park doesn’t offer overnight accommodations or camping, there are many activities to be enjoyed including swimming, beachcombing, nature trails, hiking, and freshwater and saltwater fishing. Natural areas at Camp Helen range from coastal dunes and salt marshes along the Gulf to freshwater wetlands and scrub pines along the lake. For nearby accommodations, see this list of Panama City Beach vacation rentals.

The park is open from 8:00am until sundown 365 days a year, and the entrance is south of U.S. Hwy 98 and approximately 6 miles west of State road 79. Admission is $4.00 per vehicle or $2.00 for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Published on Monday, November 16, 2009