Area Attractions
Okaloosa County and Emerald Coast Beaches East
Holt, Baker, Crestview, Niceville, Fort Walton Beach, Destin
For complete listing of parks in Okaloosa County and Public Beach Access in Fort Walton Beach please visit the Okaloosa County Online Parks List
Holt and the surrounding towns and beaches are situated around the Eglin Air Force Base. Holt and Baker are the quiet small towns to the north of the base. The Yellow and Black Water Rivers offer lots of opportunity in this area for fishing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, hunting, and taking auto and motorcycle rides along highway 90 and the surrounding countryside which features lovely ranches.
Attractions/Activities in Holt/Baker
Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
Jay's Guns & Accessories III Shooting Range
The Cave Sports Bar & Night Club
Family Owned Restaurants
Northeast of Eglin Air Force Base is Crestview along I-10 and Highway 90. Crestview is the county seat of Okaloosa County and is the closest area for general shopping, supplies and chain restaurants. It has a vibrant downtown perfect for taking a walk and doing some window shopping.
The town of Crestview has become a major supporter of full-time RVers seeking legal Florida residency. Passport America the original 50% discount camping club and MyRVmail.com mail forwarding are located in Crestview. Okaloosa County and MyRVMail have worked together to bring the benefits of legal Florida residency to full-time RVers by providing a street address which is honored by the County for the purposes of obtaining a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, access to health care networks*, and membership in Eglin Federal Credit Union. Once full-time RVers get their registration established they can apply for state and federal voting privileges at the Okaloosa County Courthouse in downtown Crestview. River’s Edge is honored to support full-time RVers who travel to Okaloosa County for this purpose. We hope that we can provide a “home base” for returning legal residents who must attend to health care and other business locally from time to time.
*Please see RVer Health Insurance for plans domiciled in Okaloosa County which have been screened as acceptable for the needs of full-time RVers with nationwide networks.
Crestview activities and attractions:
Shoal River Sporting Clays and Shooting Center
Fort Walton Beach has a rich history dating back to the Native Americans to learn about at the Indian Temple Mound Museum but it named for its role as Camp Walton Confederate Military Fort. Even today Fort Walton Beach and Eglin Air Force Base have close ties and sometimes seem to merge into each other. It is important to remember that the highways to Destin are toll roads which require a Florida SunPass. These electronic passes can be purchased locally at places like grocery stores. No toll booths are available to service travelers not having a SunPass. To avoid tolls travel through Fort Walton Beach, then east on Highway 98 to Destin. Destin is a destination for beaches, shopping, and all sorts of fishing, water recreation and boat rentals. It began as a simple little fishing village. The Destin History and Fishing Museum tells this story of the early Native Americans, Spanish explorers and Captain Destin. Many deep sea charter operations and party boat operators are located in Destin.
Niceville Attractions:
Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
Fort Walton Beach Attractions:
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Destin Attractions:
The Track Family Recreation Center
Santa Rosa County and Emerald Coast Beaches West
Milton, Navarre, Gulf Breeze
Milton/Pace are to the Northwest of Eglin Air Force Base along I-10 and Highway 90. Milton is the Santa Rosa County seat and one of the oldest cities in Florida. According to its history it use to referred to as “Scratch Ankle” due to the irritating brambles and briars which grew along the Blackwater River, a major transportation artery for the industry which founded this city. The Santa Rosa Historical Society is the place to go to get information on its historical sites such as the Imogene Theatre, Historic Bagdad Mill Site and the Milton Ghost Walk.
Milton/Pace Major Attractions:
Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site
Tanglewood Golf and Country Club
Navarre Beach to is the closest beach access to River’s Edge, located on the west side of Eglin Air Force Base. Navarre Beach is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Beginning at Navarre Beach is a glorious drive along unspoiled and undeveloped Opal Beach (Santa Rosa Day Use Area) until arriving at Pensacola Beach. Navarre has excellent public beach access with facilities, picnic areas and a fishing pier. Many deep sea fishing charters and sailing tours are available throughout Navarre, Gulf Breeze and Pensacola.
Attractions in Navarre:
Attractions in Gulf Breeze:
Pensacola Beach and City of Pensacola in Escambia County:
Pensacola is home to many of the historical sites, nature and beaches in the Florida District of the Gulf Island National Seashore including Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, Perdido Key, and Johnson Beach. The Blue Angels and The National Naval Aviation Museum are a must see in this area!
Additional Major Attractions in Pensacola:
The Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum
