Park Summary for Print - Camp Helen State Park

A photo of the log building known as the Lodge.

Welcome to Camp Helen State Park

The park is bordered on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell– one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. Coastal dune lakes are extremely rare worldwide; in the United States they occur only along the Gulf Coast. Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans lived in the area more than 4,000 years ago. From 1945 until 1987, Camp Helen was a company resort for employees of an Alabama textile mill and some of the buildings are now being restored. Natural areas range from coastal dunes and salt marshes along the Gulf to freshwater wetlands and sand pine scrub along the lake. Activities include swimming, beachcombing, nature study, hiking, and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Located west of Panama City Beach just inside Bay County, on U.S. 98 at the west end of the Lake Powell bridge.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Camp Helen State Park, please call 850–233–5059.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Camp Helen is located at 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway,Panama City Beach, FL, just west of the Phillips Inlet bridge on the Bay County and Walton county line. The entrance is South of U.S. Hwy 98 and approximately 6 miles west of State road 79.

Park Fees

There is an honor entrance station. The fee is $2.00 per vehicle and $1.00 per bicyclist or pedestrian. Come see us.

Activities at Camp Helen State Park

	Beaches Come relax or play on our beach
	Boating Boating opportunities exist at Camp Helen State Park; in that we are located on Lake Powell and The Gulf of Mexico connected by Phillips Inlet. Camp Helen has no public boat ramp, no canoe launch facilities, nor tie-ups. The Lake Powell Park managed by Bay County does offer public boat ramp facilities. Caution is advised to any boater not familiar with these waters. Lake Powell is a relatively shallow Lake with a low clearance bridge transecting the Lake between the County Boat Ramp and the lower lake, Inlet and Gulf. The Lake is a coastal Dune Lake not a Bay. The inlet that connects the Gulf and the Lake is not maintained for vessel navigation. It meanders naturally from day to day. Boaters not experienced with these waters are recommended to not attempt navigating the inlet. Any craft that runs a ground is the responsibility of the crafts owner. Recommended boating opportunities are limited to smaller craft Sea Kayaks, Canoes, Fishing skiffs (John Boats), pontoon boats, Ski Boats, Bass Boats. Larger vessels may be a poor choice for boating enthusiast.
	Fishing Fishing is allowed in designated areas Do you need a Fishing License?
	Interpretive Exhibits Interpretive exhibits are available
	Nature Trails Hiking trails are available
	Picnic Areas Picnic tables are available
	Swimming Swimming is available in designated areas
	Visitor Center Come to our Visitor Center for Information
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible at this park

Special Events for Camp Helen State Park

THIRD ANNUAL GHOST WALK
Date: Saturday, October 11th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Description: The Department of Environmental Protection’s Camp Helen State Park and The Friends of Camp Helen are sponsoring the Third Annual Ghost Walk to take place at Camp Helen on October 11, 2008 from 6:00PM until 9:00PM. The walk will combine known ghosts of Camp Helen with stories from local residents that grew up in the area along with a group of pirates to complete the walk. Tours will all be accompanied by a guide and be approximately 20 people each. Tours will include the Lodge, Cottages, Cook House and the Picnic areas overlooking Lake Powell. There will be a shuttle bus from the Winn Dixie parking lot, east of the park on US 98, to Camp Helen itself in order to facilitate the large crowd. All proceeds benefit Camp Helen State Park.
Fees: Park entrance fee waived for participants
Contact: (850) 233-5059

Camp Helen State Park Ranger Programs

CAMP HELEN INTERPETIVE OVERVIEW
Ongoing Camp Helen State Park’s Visitors Center offers an interpetive overview of our park’s history, as well as its natural and cultural resources. Camp Helen State Park’s Visitors Center provides an oppurtunity to meet and chat with our Park Rangers. It is a unique approach to fee collection that provides visitors a personal welcome to our Park and it’s resources. Whenever you meet a Ranger in our park always feel free to ask questions. We are eager to assist our visitors and help them to better understand our highly valued natural and cultural resources.

Call 850-233-5059 for more details.

Camp Helen State Park History

Humans have been attracted to the area at and around Camp Helen for over 400 years. This is evidented by the pre-historic middens and mounds found within the park.

Known as Inlet Beach to early European settlers and later to developers, the area around Phillips Inlet was initially developed for recreational opportunities in the early 1920’s. Then in the 1940’s a lodge and associated buildings were added to the property, some of which still exist today. These buildings offer a look at tourist life as it once was here along the Gulf Coast. From 1945 into 1987, Avondale Textile Mills of Sylacauga, Alabama operated Camp Helen as a resort for vacationing employees.

From the efforts of the local community, Gulf Coast Community College, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection the land that makes up Camp Helen was acquired by the State of Florida in 1994 under the Conservation and Recreational Lands Programs.

Camp Helen State Park Volunteer Information

Volunteers can do many things -- greet visitors, conduct tours, help Park Rangers remove exotic plants or maintain the natural beauty of our beach, waterway or trail.