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Group Travel Planners - Beaches to Rivers of Santa Rosa

See what's happening in the area with these pieces of news and upcoming events.

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Things to Do in Navarre & Navarre Beach

National Seashore reopened

The sugar white beaches of Navarre Beach and the crystal clear waters of “Florida’s Canoe Capital” in the Blackwater River State Forest, offer two distinct vacation options within an easy drive.

New and returning visitors to Navarre Beach will enjoy a bevy of budget-friendly developments and reopened attractions giving vacationing families an opportunity to reconnect and rejuvenate in a budget-friendly way.

Navarre County Park

Navarre Beach Park on the eastern edge of Navarre Beach offers unspoiled beauty, plentiful parking, picnic pavilions and swimming options at the Gulf of Mexico, or visitors may choose the quieter waters of the Santa Rosa Sound within an easy walking distance. There is no charge to cross the Navarre Beach Bridge or to enter the park. Pavilions may be reserved in advance for group outings. Weekend visitors will enjoy a new information kiosk staffed by the Navarre Beach Visitor Center at the entrance to the park. Also, the main Visitor Center located at the base of the Navarre Beach Bridge is open daily.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

You may also want to put the top down on that convertible or roll back the sunroof and take a scenic drive through the natural beauty of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The seven mile stretch known as J. Earle Bowden Way reopened in March to great fanfare. Several parking areas are available and the day use facilities at Opal Beach are expected to open in May. The drive showcases nature at its best with huge sugar white sand dunes anchored by scrub pine.

Panhandle Butterfly House

Young and old enjoy the annual spring reopening of the Panhandle Butterfly House in Navarre. A free attraction (donations encouraged), the Butterfly House is located at the Navarre Park at the base of the bridge. Visitors learn about one of nature’s most captivating wonders: how a fuzzy caterpillar is magically transformed into a beautiful butterfly. If touring with small children, be sure to bring their bathing suits so they can enjoy a free water feature for tots at the Navarre Park. Numerous picnic tables, expansive playground and a nature boardwalk offer a peaceful and inexpensive family experience. For more info, check out www.panhandlebutterflyhouse.org