October 23, 2026
The Timpoochee Trail is the paved multi-use path that runs beside Scenic Highway 30A. For many South Walton visitors, it’s the easiest way to get between beach neighborhoods without hunting for parking. Visit South Walton lists the trail at 19 miles. Its mile-by-mile guide clocks the ride at about 18.5 miles from Dune Allen in the west to Inlet Beach in the east. The trail is named for Timpoochee Kinnard, a chief of the Euchee tribe, and passes through 12 of South Walton’s 16 beach neighborhoods, along with state parks, the state forest and coastal dune lakes.
This guide covers the route section by section, the forest trails that branch off it, and the county and state rules that apply to bikes and e-bikes on the path. It uses only official county, state and tourism-office sources.
The basics
- Length: listed as 19 miles; about 18.5 miles end to end on Visit South Walton’s mile-by-mile guide.
- Surface and difficulty: paved and mostly flat. Visit South Walton rates it easy, with “just a few Florida hills,” and lists it as wheelchair accessible, with leashed pets allowed.
- Ends: the west end is where 30A splits from US 98 in Dune Allen. The east end is in Inlet Beach, about half a mile past the last mile marker after Rosemary Beach.
- Mile markers: posted along the route, counting up from west to east.
West section: Dune Allen to Grayton Beach (miles 0–8)
The trail starts near the entrance to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and soon passes Stallworth Lake, the first of several coastal dune lakes visible from the path. According to Visit South Walton’s guide, it briefly crosses to the Gulf side at Dune Allen Regional Beach Access around mile 2 and again near the Ed Walline Regional Beach Access by Gulf Place (30A and County Road 393) around mile 3. Both large accesses have restrooms. Near mile 4, a covered bridge takes the trail over Draper Lake.
Blue Mountain Beach begins around milepost 5, where you may notice a slight incline. Big Redfish, Little Redfish and Alligator lakes come next, followed by the Grayton Beach State Park entrance and the 30A intersection with County Road 283 (DeFuniak Street) at about mile 7.7.
Middle section: Western Lake, WaterColor, Seaside and Seagrove (miles 8–12)
Western Lake is the largest of South Walton’s dune lakes. On the two bridges over Western Lake, the trail briefly joins 30A itself, and Visit South Walton advises extra caution there. After that, the trail passes WaterColor, crosses to the north side of 30A and runs through Seaside’s Central Square, a natural midpoint stop. At the 30A and County Road 395 intersection in Seagrove, a separate path heads north toward Point Washington State Forest (see below). The Timpoochee continues east, crossing back to the Gulf side past Seagrove.
East section: Eastern Lake to Inlet Beach (miles 12–18.5)
Past Seawater Drive, the trail runs by Eastern Lake, then Deer Lake at about mile 13.6, followed by the Deer Lake State Park entrance and Watersound. Camp Creek Lake, at about mile 15.2, is the last dune-lake view on the route. The final stretch passes Seacrest, Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach before ending in Inlet Beach.
For background on the parks and dune lakes along the way, see our guide to South Walton state parks and coastal dune lakes. For parking and town-center logistics, see Scenic 30A day-trip logistics.
Side trails in Point Washington State Forest
The Florida Forest Service says the Eastern Lake Trail System was the first trail established in Point Washington State Forest. It has three double-track loops of 3.5, 6 and 11 miles for hikers and bicyclists, reached from the parking lot and trailhead on County Road 395. Visit South Walton rates the 3.5-mile Yellow Loop easy to moderate, the 6-mile Red Loop moderate and the 11-mile Orange Loop moderate to difficult. Unlike the paved Timpoochee, these loops are double-track forest trails, so plan accordingly.
The forest is part of the Point Washington Wildlife Management Area, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets its hunting seasons. Check FWC’s season dates before a fall or winter ride. State forest fees and rules are posted on the Florida Forest Service site.
Rules for bikes and e-bikes on the path
Walton County’s code (Sec. 20-50, Multimodal Facilities) governs shared-use paths like the Timpoochee. As published in the county code, it allows:
- pedestrians, joggers and skaters, strollers, and powered or non-powered wheelchairs
- bicycles, operated under Florida Statute 316.2065, and electric bicycles, operated under Florida Statute 316.20655
- human-propelled scooters and skateboards
Golf carts are expressly prohibited on multi-use paths, except for limited use by law enforcement, fire district, county and utility personnel.
The same section says all path users must:
- travel at 15 mph or less, or the posted speed
- yield to slower-moving pedestrians
- conduct themselves in a reasonable and safe manner
- move as far off the path as possible when stopped
- never leave a bike, stroller or other device unattended on the path or blocking it
Violations are civil infractions.
Florida law adds a few points every rider should know:
- Helmets: riders and passengers under 16, including children in bike trailers, must wear a properly fitted, securely fastened helmet that meets the federal standard (F.S. 316.2065).
- Lights after dark: between sunset and sunrise, a bicycle needs a white front light visible from at least 500 feet, plus a red rear light and a red rear reflector visible from 600 feet.
- Passing pedestrians: on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, a cyclist must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing.
- E-bikes: under F.S. 316.20655, an e-bike rider has the same rights and duties as a bicycle rider, and the statute lets the agency that runs a path restrict or prohibit e-bikes on it.
E-bike rules are under review. On July 28, 2026, Walton County commissioners held a public hearing on a proposed e-bike ordinance. According to WJHG’s report, the draft would have banned Class 3 e-bikes from county trails and set minimum ages for riders. The county’s meeting summary says commissioners removed the item from the agenda for more review and plan to re-advertise it for a future vote. We found no adopted version as of October 23, 2026. If you’re renting an e-bike, ask the shop which class it is and check the county’s website for any new rules before you ride.
After Hurricane Isaias
The Walton County Tourist Development Council’s recovery page, last updated October 16, 2026 when we checked, says many businesses have resumed normal operations while some amenities and services remain limited. We did not find a trail-specific closure notice, but that isn’t proof that every segment and bridge is clear. Watch for detours and repair crews, and check the TDC page and the state park and forest sites before planning a long ride.
Quick checklist
- Pick a section rather than the full 18.5 miles if you’re riding with kids. Seaside’s Central Square makes a good midpoint.
- Take care on the Western Lake bridges, where the path shares 30A.
- Keep it at 15 mph or under, and yield to people on foot.
- Make sure riders under 16 wear helmets, and use lights if you’re out after sunset.
- Bring water and sunscreen. The regional beach accesses at Dune Allen and Ed Walline have restrooms.
- For gravel and forest riding, head up CR 395 to the Eastern Lake loops in Point Washington State Forest.
Sources: Visit South Walton – Timpoochee Trail listing · Visit South Walton – A Guide to the Timpoochee Trail · Visit South Walton – Hike or Bike South Walton’s Trails · Florida Forest Service – Point Washington State Forest · Walton County Code Sec. 20-50 – Multimodal Facilities · Florida Statutes 316.2065 – Bicycle regulations · Florida Statutes 316.20655 – Electric bicycles · Walton County BCC July 28, 2026 meeting summary · WJHG – Walton County commissioners take first look at e-bike safety ordinance (Jul 30, 2026) · Walton County TDC – Hurricane Isaias updates