Mamma Friendly: Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach, Florida

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach, Florida

So, May 5 we decided to visit Camp Helen State Park. (http://www.floridastateparks.org/camphelen/default.cfm) It was a beautfiul Saturday and we just had to be somewhere outside. The park is very low key and we enjoyed the serenity. The park has a history of once functioning as a resort for an Alabama textile company which explains a few buildings on the walk. THe most notable assets of the park are the beach and the fishing areas.

Here is the brief on what we learned:
1. Prepare for a WALK to the beach
2. The WALK to the beach is NOT recommended for small children. My 3 year-old was exhausted from the 6/10 of a mile walk in the sugary sand AND I am 5 months pregnant and on orders to "take it easy" meaning no running or strenuous activity. Luckily on our way back in a ranger picked us up. A stroller would not make it to the beach in the dense sand.
3. Did I say that the walk to the beach isn't suitable for small children?
4. Go fishing next time! We learned that this is a great location to fish-we watched others.
5. There are not many people on the beach. The Park Ranger told us that it is never busy because people are weary of the walk. Red flag for the little ones, again!

Here are a few snapshots from our adventure.