Laguna Beach is a town of about 4,000 people surrounded by a beautiful stretch of beach. Spend days enjoying the sun and sand along the Gulf Coast or head just a short distance from the shore to explore stunning natural habitat.
Camp Helen State Park is one of the Laguna Beach area highlights. This former vacation retreat for employees of the Avondale Mills manufacturing company was turned into a state park in 1997. Indigenous people found this a favorable place to live as early as 500 B.C. Visit today for outstanding activities and amenities.
Borrow binoculars from the Camp Helen visitor center to watch birds and wildlife, which may include bald eagles, kingfishers, deer and opossums. Rent a kayak to paddle over the inland waters. Swimming and fishing are popular too. Amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, showers, a restored historic lodge and interpretive exhibits and nature trails.
Along the border of the park, Lake Powell is an 800-acre (300-hectare) coastal dune lake. The calm water is perfect for stand-up paddleboarding. Try fishing here. Because of the brackish makeup of the lake, freshwater and saltwater species may both be present. Farther inland, Conservation Park has 12 trails for hiking and biking within pine forest and wetlands.
Swim and sunbathe at Carillon Beach, just west of town. To the east, stop at the Man in the Sea Museum to learn about the mysteries and marvels of the ocean.
Laguna Beach is fairly close to Russell-Fields City Pier and the attractions adjacent to it. Fish and watch the sunset from the pier. Find shopping, dining and entertainment at Pier Park and athletic activities at Frank Brown Park. Check for concerts and festivals taking place at Aaron Bessant Park.
Travel about 10 miles (16 kilometers) northwest along the coast from the town center of Panama City Beach to Laguna Beach and another 5 miles (8 kilometers) to Camp Helen State Park and Lake Powell. The sugary white sandy shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico extends along the entire route to the lake outfall, offering inviting spots to stop and spread a beach blanket for sunbathing.
