Eastern Lake Beach Access
Where a Coastal Dune Lake Meets the Gulf
Eastern Lake Neighborhood Beach Access (county access #11B) is at 491 Eastern Lake Rd, Santa Rosa Beach. [1] The county built its parking lot “steps away from where the Eastern Lake coastal dune lake outfall meets the beach.” [2] Coordinates: 30.307504, -86.096524.
📍 Eastern Lake Beach Access — Get DirectionsHeads Up: Eastern Lake Health Advisory
The Florida Department of Health in Walton County has issued an advisory for Eastern Lake near Lakewood Drive and 30A in Santa Rosa Beach after a wastewater release. Drinking water is not affected. Avoid contact with the lake water; anyone who touches it should wash thoroughly, especially before eating or drinking. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
As of the county’s Oct. 20 update the advisory had not been lifted — testing is ongoing. Questions? Call DOH-Walton at 850-892-4021.
Parking — The Honest Version
- The Eastern Lake Municipal Parking Facility is on Eastern Lake Rd. It has 16 standard spaces, 18 low-speed vehicle (golf cart) spaces and a bike plaza, and it opened in August 2023. [1][2]
- The county chart also lists 6 right-of-way spaces at the access. [1]
- Free. Only three county lots charge for parking: Van Ness Butler, 393 Municipal and Grayton Beach Municipal. [3]
What’s Actually There
- No restrooms and no picnic pavilion. [1]
- The county lists the access as a vendor zone, so beach chair and umbrella services may operate here. [1]
Getting to the Sand
- The county does not list it as ADA compatible. [1]
- No beach wheelchair. South Walton Fire District beach wheelchairs are at the Miramar, Ed Walline, Santa Clara, Inlet Beach and Seagrove regional accesses. [4][5]
The county built its parking lot “steps away from where the Eastern Lake coastal dune lake outfall meets the beach.”
The Beach Itself — Room to Sit, a Few Rules to Know
- Lifeguards: none here. Eastern Lake isn’t one of the Fire District’s lifeguard tower locations. [6]
- Bonfires: This access isn’t listed on South Walton Fire District’s bonfire permit form, so a permit can’t be requested for it. Call SWFD at 850-267-1307 to confirm before planning a fire. Permits cover only the Gulf beach, so fires on the lake shore aren’t permitted.
- Dogs: not allowed on Walton County beaches, except service animals and permitted residents. [8]
- Leave No Trace: take all gear off the beach from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour after sunrise. Tents can be no larger than 10×10 ft. [8][9]
Sea Turtle Nesting Season
Sea turtle nesting season in Walton County runs May 1 through October 31. During the season, keep lights off the beach at night (no flashlights, lanterns or flash photography), fill in holes and knock down sandcastles before you leave, and take all your beach gear with you when you leave. Disturbing a turtle or nest is a state and federal violation.
If You Want Options
Walton Dunes, with a 14-space county lot, is nearby. [1]
Know Before You Go
- The Eastern Lake Municipal Parking Facility is on Eastern Lake Rd. It has 16 standard spaces, 18 low-speed vehicle (golf cart) spaces and a bike plaza, and it opened in August 2023. [1][2]
- No restrooms and no picnic pavilion. [1]
- The county does not list it as ADA compatible. [1]
- Lifeguards: none here. Eastern Lake isn’t one of the Fire District’s lifeguard tower locations. [6]
- Bonfires: This access isn’t listed on South Walton Fire District’s bonfire permit form, so a permit can’t be requested for it. Call SWFD at 850-267-1307 to confirm before planning a fire. Permits cover only the Gulf beach, so fires on the lake shore aren’t permitted.
Sources
1. Walton County Beach Access Chart (07-15-26): https://www.mywaltonfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/45361/Beach-Access-Chart-Website-07-15-26
2. Walton County Tourism, Eastern Lake parking opening: https://www.waltoncountyfltourism.com/press/walton-county-open-eastern-lake-municipal-parking-facility/
3. Park Walton County FAQ: https://www.parkwaltonco.org/faqs
4. Visit South Walton, beach safety: https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/beach-safety/
5. SWFD Tower 21 announcement: https://sowal.com/forum/all-about-sowal/114391-swfd-2026-beach-safety-season-begins-mar-1-with-lifeguard-towers
6. 30A.com, SWFD tower list: https://30a.com/swfd-lifeguard-services/
7. SWFD, beach bonfires: https://www.swfd.org/beach-safety/beach-bonfires
8. Walton County Ordinance 2025-22: https://www.mywaltonfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/44641/Ordinance-2025-22-Waterways–Beach-Activities-Ordinance
9. Walton County Leave No Trace: https://www.waltoncountyfltourism.com/leave-no-trace/
- SWFD bonfire permit form: https://www.swfd.org/beach-safety/bonfire-permit-request
- SWFD beach bonfires (permit rules, $500 penalty): https://www.swfd.org/beach-safety/beach-bonfires
Not Sure Which Access Is Closest to You?
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