Originally written for the Lynn Haven Ledger/Gulf Coast Gazette September 7-21 2018 issue.
At the extreme west end of Bay County and just a mere 10 minutes from Pier Park (depending, of course, on traffic), is a beautiful place to visit for the day named Camp Helen State Park. This state park is nestled between the gently crashing Gulf and the still waters of Lake Powell.
As is the case with many locations, it has an interesting history. In 1928 Robert and Margaret Hicks bought a large parcel of land and built a log home with a spectacular view overlooking Lake Powell. In 1945, Avondale Textile Mills bought it and used the property as a camp for their employees, and that’s when it was given the name Camp Helen. Then, in 1996, because of a desire to keep the land from being developed, the entire 183.5 acres was designated a state park. You can visit the website of the organization looking out for park here: www.friendsofcamphelen.org. They also have a Facebook page.
But way back before 1928, as far back as 4,000 B.C. it is believed that prehistoric Indians inhabited the area and left behind mounds and middens – places where it appears that shells and everyday living items were discarded. Maybe like a compost pile. The research of these mounds and middens throughout the state of Florida has yielded a lot of interesting facts and theories.
But back to the present.
The entrance to Camp Helen is right off 98, just west of the bridge, and right before you enter Walton County. When you come up the gravel driveway, you’ll see the Visitor’s Center where you can get information on not just the park’s history but its flora and fauna. You’ll also see a number of small concrete block cabins, each painted a bright color that the Avondale Textile Mills’ employees used when they came to stay for a short vacation. Many of them have been restored.
There are several paths you can hike and plenty of elderly trees festooned with Spanish moss like a lady of high society from yesteryear on her way to a gala to give you shade. There are also plenty of pine trees dropping their pinecones on the ground, doing their part to keep the foliage growing strong. You can sit on the shore and watch the cars as they cross the bridge, pause at a small rush and tall grass filled pond area and wait to see some wildlife, or you can walk to the Gulf.
I walked the 6/10ths of a mile to the Gulf in the squeaky white sand with roped off sand dunes (mounds and middens?) on either side preserved as sanctuaries for sea turtles and herons and much more. I always find it odd how that you can see the Gulf, but you can’t hear it until you get quite close and then the unceasing crashing-roaring suddenly fills the air around you with living sound and movement. Walk just a few feet away and the sound disappears as if it had never been.
The day I was there it was quiet with just a few other visitors enjoying the ocean air and the enchanting sky.
The sandy shore was filled with birds waiting for dinner. As I looked to the left, the highrise skyline of Panama City Beach curved out and away into the distance with the beach dotted with tiny people unaware of the peaceful haven just a few miles away.
I know Panama City Beach is the destination place for sunbathing and playing in the water, but when you want to do something different, find the parks in the area like Camp Helen and find out what you’ve been missing. Soak in the serenity and preserved habitats that many of the critters of Northwest Florida still call home.
