of beautiful beach to yourself. The pilings of an old fishing pier are still vis-
Photo by Teresa Graves Photography
ible and make for interesting snorkeling. Need to get out of the sun for a while? Don’t miss the Panama City Beach Conservation Park. This 3,000-acre conservation area offers shade and a chance to explore trails that will take you to boardwalks crossing shady cypress ponds, or twisting and turning though pine forests. The park is great for off-road bicycling, hiking, leisurely strolls, or picnics. Paved bike trails (part of the Gayle’s Trails network) also connect to the park, providing dozens of miles of protected cycling. Other off-the-beaten-path options are the backwater creeks and marshes along the intracoastal waterway and West Bay, about 5 miles north of Panama City Beach. Shallow-water fishermen love this area, as do those who venture out on an airboat ride for a tailored eco/adventure tour. There’s so much of natural Florida to see in Bay County, and this is just the start. So, happy trails, whether that trail leads through the pine forest, along the beach, or by the bay.
Photo Courtesy of Visit PCB
WWW.PCBEACH.ORG
39