Rocky Bayou(Fred Gannon State Park)

Located in the south-eastern part of the city of Niceville, Rocky Bayou is a small beach with light brown sand and nearby dense vegetation, including over 300 year-old long-leaf pine trees and red cedar trees. This beach is a part of the Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park. 

Although the Rocky Bayou does not have lifeguards, it has many amenities including a playground, campsites, barbecues, picnic tables, covered pavilions, showers, restrooms, a double-lane boat ramp, a fishing pier, and walking trails. Dogs are allowed on the Rocky Bayou if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from 8 a.m. until sunset. 

Rocky Bayou offers many fun activities including biking, fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, boating, sailing, paddle boarding, swimming, and wildlife viewing. Hikers can explore the three trails within the park including Red Cedar Trail, Sand Pine Trail (which is located along the shore of Puddin Head Stream), and Rocky Bayou Trail (which is located along the shore of the bayou). Depending on the time of the year, tourists can spot many water animals including dolphins, otters, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles. The Rocky Bayou has a pier which is a popular fishing spot where you can catch many kinds of fish including mullet, trout, and flounder. In addition, the beach is a popular camping spot- the campsites are spacious, clean, shaded, and equipped with water and electricity.

Getting to Rocky Bayou is easy - the access trail to the beach is present at the eastern end of the Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park on the John Sims Parkway in Niceville, and you can easily get this access trail from Florida State Highway 20. A paid parking lot is available near the access trail of the beach. You need to pay five dollars per vehicle. 

There are many attractions near Rocky Bayou Beach. Destin Harbor Boardwalk is a waterfront entertainment center that offers many fun activities including paddle-boarding, kayaking, parasailing, boating, sailing, snorkeling expeditions, charter fishing trips, and dolphin cruises. In addition, there is a shopping arcade and many restaurants. Air Force Armament Museum offers an interesting collection of artifacts and memorabilia associated with Air Force armaments including a gun collection, bombs, missiles, and over 29 different types of aircraft – and also offers a 32-minute film about the history of Eglin Air Force Base. If you are looking for another attraction near Rocky Bayou, Rainforest Black Light Golf & Arcade is a rainforest-themed adventure park that offers many fun activities including an indoor black-light mini-golf course, and indoor games arcade.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Rocky Bayou Beach. Bamboo Sushi and Hibachi is an upscale restaurant that serves amazing Japanese cuisine including sushi, tempura, hibachi, gyoza, sashimi, and seafood. Basil & Baxter’s Kitchen and Cocktails serves delicious seafood, steak, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, and tacos. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Rocky Bayou Beach, modestly priced Café Bienville offers incredible beignets and frittatas for breakfast and Cajun-inspired lunch dishes. In addition, the restaurant also serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.

If you are looking for a hotel near Rocky Bayou Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa is 29 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including an indoor and outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a spa, a fitness center, a golf course, and a Japanese restaurant. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Hampton Inn Niceville - Eglin Air Force Base is a bay view hotel that offers several amenities including a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a business center, and complimentary breakfast. As another moderately priced option, the 3-Star Best Western Sugar Sands Inn & Suites offers many amenities including a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a golf course, a games room, a business center, a restaurant, and a complimentary breakfast. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Rocky Bayou Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Best Western Niceville - Eglin AFB Hotel offers many amenities including a fitness center, an outdoor pool, a business center, a restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.