Grayton Beach visitor guide

Updated October 18, 2026

Grayton Beach is one of South Walton''s original beach towns, on Scenic Highway 30A at County Road 283 between Blue Mountain Beach and WaterColor. The main public beach is the Bets "Beachmama" Haynes Regional Beach Access at 44 Hotz Ave, which has restrooms but no parking; most visitors park at the Grayton Beach Park and Ride lot on CR 283 and take the free tram. Grayton Beach State Park, next door, charges $5 per vehicle as of October 2026.

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What is Grayton Beach like?

Grayton Beach is one of South Walton's original beach towns: small, old and laid back, with an art and live-music streak. Visit South Walton says Army Major Charles T. Gray founded it in the mid-1880s, and its unofficial motto is "Nice Dogs, Friendly Folks."

Expect narrow streets under live oaks, old wooden cottages mixed with newer homes, and a walkable "downtown" near the sand anchored by the Red Bar and the Grayt Wall of Art, a fence turned into an outdoor gallery. Grayton sits where County Road 283 meets 30A. Grayton Beach State Park borders it on the east, and WaterColor is just past the park.

Public beach access and parking in Grayton

Grayton has very little beach parking, so the county built a park-once system with a free tram.

Bets "Beachmama" Haynes Regional Beach Access (44 Hotz Ave). This access opened in June 2026 and has restrooms, rinse showers, an observation deck, a boardwalk and the tram stop. The county chart lists 0 parking spaces. It's named for the resident who led the push that got Florida to buy nearly 900 acres for the state park in 1985.
Grayton Dunes neighborhood accesses (199 Banfill St. and 288 Garfield St.). They have 4 spaces each and are ADA-compatible, with no restrooms.
Grayton Beach Park and Ride (1505 County Hwy 283 S). This lot is about four blocks north of 30A, with 204 spaces, restrooms and an air-conditioned lobby. As of October 2026, non-residents pay $5 per hour or $15 per day from March through October and $5 per day from November through February (Walton County paid parking). Weekly and annual permits are also sold.
Grayton Express tram. It's free and runs from the Park and Ride to Hotz Ave every 10 minutes, 6 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. daily under the schedule that began Oct. 1. The Blue Mountain Local route continues west to other regional accesses. See our free shuttle guide.

After Hurricane Isaias in October 2026, check the county's recovery update page for access and tram status.

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Grayton Beach State Park: fees and what to do

The state park covers nearly 2,000 acres next to town, including about a mile of beach. As of October 2026, it's open 8 a.m. to sunset daily, and entry is $5 per vehicle (2 to 8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for pedestrians or cyclists (Florida State Parks).

It often reaches capacity in busy periods and can close to day visitors for hours at a time. The beach has no lifeguards, and pets aren't allowed on it, though leashed pets can use the day-use areas. As of Oct. 18, 2026, the park is open for day use, but its cabins and campground are closed after Hurricane Isaias.

Inside the park, there's a 1-mile nature trail at the beach parking area and a 4.5-mile hiking and biking trail through windswept coastal forest. There's also a boat ramp on Western Lake, a 100-acre coastal dune lake. Bring a kayak or paddleboard, or rent a kayak or NuCanoe at the ranger station. Jet-powered watercraft are prohibited.

Getting around and local tips

The paved Timpoochee Trail follows all of 30A. It passes Grayton at CR 283 and crosses Western Lake toward WaterColor and Seaside.
Restaurant parking is tight, so take the tram for evenings out too.
Arrive early at the state park on summer weekends and holidays.
A boardwalk nature trail starts at the north end of the Park and Ride lot and runs through wetlands bordering the state park.
Fishing charters launch straight from Grayton's beach. Surf and lake fishing may require a Florida license.

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FAQ

Is there free parking at Grayton Beach?

There's very little. The Grayton Dunes accesses have 4 spaces each. The main lot, Grayton Beach Park and Ride, is paid for non-residents as of October 2026 ($5 per hour or $15 per day March to October, $5 per day November to February). The tram from that lot to the beach is free.

How much does Grayton Beach State Park cost?

As of October 2026, it's $5 per vehicle, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for walk-ins or bikes. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily and can close temporarily at capacity.

Are there lifeguards at Grayton Beach?

Not at Grayton Beach State Park, where you swim at your own risk. Always check the day's beach flag before getting in the water.

Where is the Grayton Beach tram stop?

It's at the Bets "Beachmama" Haynes Regional Beach Access, at Hotz Avenue and Garfield Street, just west of the Red Bar. The tram runs from the Park and Ride at 1505 County Hwy 283 S.