The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Panama City Beach, Florida (FL)

May 19, 2022 Tonie Szymanski

Panama City Beach, with its trademark white sand and warm Gulf waters, attracts everyone from spring breakers to retirees, singles to families. As a result, the city offers a range of activities for all ages and interests. Families won't want to miss the huge Shipwreck Island water park or the hundreds of animals and plants at Zoo World. Golfers will find plenty of top-rated courses and outdoor types can canoe, fish and nature walk at St. Andrew's State Nature Park. And there's always the 27 miles of beautiful oceanfront the city is famous for.
Restaurants in Panama City Beach

1. Sunshine Riding Trails - Day Tours

2273 Rolling Pines Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32428-3658 +1 850-773-1900 http://www.sunshineridingtrails.com
Excellent
97%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 77 reviews

Sunshine Riding Trails - Day Tours

Reviewed By Rhianna80 - Verbena, United States

We enjoyed ourselves! Our guide Nichole was excellent. We did a 1 hour trail. They pair you up well with a horse that is based on your skill level, which is helpful for someone with little or no experience.

2. Axe Throwing Pier Park

15801 L C Hilton Jr Dr Ste 100, Panama City Beach, FL 32413-2170 +1 850-249-4790 [email protected] http://axethrowingpcb.com
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Axe Throwing Pier Park

Our aim is to be the top attraction for fun and games in Panama City beach, offering various exciting games as well as a team and individual tournaments. At Axe Throwing Pier Park we offer a unique edge to how adults have fun. We host large corporate events, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, we are perfectly suited for groups that are looking to have an unforgettable time while learning to throw an axe. We are located in the heart of Panama City Beach

3. St. Andrews State Park

4607 State Park Ln, Panama City Beach, FL 32408-7347 +1 850-233-5140 https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/St-Andrews
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,262 reviews

St. Andrews State Park

Reviewed By O2486MWelizabethh

We love St. Andrews, the pier provides great fishing and is spacious, the jetties have great snorkeling opportunities and help create the kiddie pool which is my favorite part of the park! Calm, clear water tucked behind the jetties, the water stays nice and shallow allowing everyone, even the younger kids, the chance to enjoy the Gulf. We also enjoy standing on the alligator lake watching the gators drift through their swamp.

4. Gulf World Marine Park

15412 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413-2502 +1 850-234-5271 [email protected] http://www.gulfworldmarinepark.com/
Excellent
57%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,487 reviews

Gulf World Marine Park

Our daily shows featuring Dolphins, Sea Lions, Reptiles, Tropical Birds and other furry animals will amaze you. Pay one price and see all the shows and explore our indoor and outdoor tropical gardens showcasing penguins and sea turtles. Our stingray petting pool is always a popular activity during your visit. Take the opportunity to feed the stingrays at our Stingray Bay! Parking is free and we are open rain or shine. We offer many ways for you to get up close and personal with our animals. You can make a reservation for any of our interactive programs. Our Swim with a Dolphin program is a great opportunity to enter our million-gallon dolphin habitat and get eye to eye with these fantastic animals. You can even choose between two different species of dolphins! The Meet and Greet programs we offer are with many different types of animals, you'll find one you'll love. Trainer for a Day program is an all day program behind the scenes working with our trainers caring for our animals.

Reviewed By Kristina5924 - Corning, United States

We wanted something other than a traditional zoo and we love dolphins so decided to head here. We really enjoyed all of the animals from the sea lions and sea turtles to the incredible dolphins and their amazing trainers!! You could tell these women truly love what they do and it was so much fun to watch the dolphin show and really grasp just how intelligent these creatures really are. Fun for all ages!!

5. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach, FL +1 850-233-5070 http://PanamaCityBeach.com
Excellent
77%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,397 reviews

Panama City Beach

This 27-mile long beach offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy such as swimming, snorkeling, dolphin-spotting parasailing and jet skiing.

Reviewed By christopherbE4200ZM - Terre Haute, United States

The beaches in PCB are the best, soft white sand, crystal clear water, an abundance of wildlife( My wife had a sea turtle swim right past her feet while walking in the surf! How cool? Lots to do and not the prices of the more southern spots. We go every fall when it is not crowded and the prices have dropped. Plus we live in Indiana and we can make the drive in 12 hours!

6. Shell Island

Panama City Beach, FL +1 850-233-5140 http://www.shellislandshuttle.com/shell-island-shuttle-prices
Excellent
61%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,080 reviews

Shell Island

Reviewed By joshipenn - Nashville, United States

Rented a boat to visit Shell Island, what a day!!! We had such a great time exploring the Bay and the island. We walked to the gulf side of the island and had such an amazing time. We stopped several places along the island and went crabbing, found sand dollars, swam with dolphins and got to see F-22 Raptors take off from Tyndall AFB, along with C-130's who did a couple wing dips to us as we waved at them. The island itself is so beautiful, an untouched place that retains a super laid back feel. No restaurants, no boardwalks, no bars, no noise (except jets, which are bad ass). Also met some real cool folks and talked and had a super relaxing day.

7. Gator Country Alligator Park

6523 Highway 79, Panama City Beach, FL 32413-9337 +1 850-230-3822
Excellent
63%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 96 reviews

Gator Country Alligator Park

Gator Country Alligator Park at Airboat Adventures is home to one of the most incredible alligators you will ever come face to face with! "BUBBA" is our 7ft, 15 year old, voice and hand command trained American Alligator! To our knowledge...truely a "one of a kind". "Bubba" has been raised since birth by his owner and trainer David and we are proud to have them both for the most incredible show you will find anywhere featuring an alligator! This is an absolute "DO NOT MISS" on your vacation to Panama City Beach!

Reviewed By 853memef

Our Yearly Visit Here From Georgia and this was our first time Trying it! We actually enjoyed our ride an our Guide! Would definitely Recommend this Place to Anybody!!

8. Conservation Park

100 Conservation Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413-5134 http://www.panamacitybeachparksandrecreation.com/conservation-park.html
Excellent
65%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 319 reviews

Conservation Park

Reviewed By BumGrass

We love the conservation park! It is easy to get to and the perfect place to get away from the hustle & bustle for a walk or bike ride. There are several different trails you can take and the paths are well labeled with maps available. As a local, it is so nice to have a place like this to get away from the tourists.

9. Rick Seltzer Park

7419 Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408-7585 http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/listings/Rick-Seltzer-Park/545/
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 90 reviews

Rick Seltzer Park

Reviewed By JBKDO - Acworth, United States

The beach is great! Lifeguards are there. Restrooms available. Water is beautiful. The sand is soft and never gets too hot.

10. Aaron Bessant Park

600 Pier Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413-2169
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 58 reviews

Aaron Bessant Park

Reviewed By Q8105RDdan - Panama City Beach, United States

My wife and I have visited here many times. Conveniently located adjacent to Pier Park and just steps from the beach, this 70 acre park is home to a lake, three paved loop walking trails (Dog friendly, must be on a leash), and a Veteran’s Memorial. The centerpiece of Aaron Bessant Park is a state-of-the-art amphitheater, which hosts world famous musicians (jazz festival), local community performances, and large rally’s (My wife and I along with 12,000 other people attended a rally here on Wednesday). There’s an extremely large open, grassy area that is perfect for watching concert performances or hosting large community events. On non event days the park is open for everyone to enjoy. Have a picnic, walk the trails, throw a Frisbee, walk your dog, or just relax in the sun. Amenities include: park benches, picnic tables, restrooms, and water fountains. Open daily; plenty of parking at Pier Park.

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