Fort Panic

Fort Panic is a residential neighborhood in Dune Allen Beach originally established by the Allen family, who owned land here since the 1920s. They built beach homes during the 1940s, even before electricity was offered. At this time, Scenic 30A was just a sandy trail by the gulf. The name Fort Panic came from a family of vacationers who frequented one of the original homes with so many kids rollicking about that someone described the place as "Fort Panic," and the name stuck! This small gulf front neighborhood is on the far western end of Dune Allen Beach, where 30A curves down to parallel the sugary shoreline. It includes classic beach homes that are comfortably furnished and feature a wonderfully laid-back lifestyle.

This fantastic Dune Allen Beach locale is within walking distance to Stallworth Lake, which borders the expansive forested acres of the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Coastal dune lakes of this kind are precious natural treasures found in hardly any other place in the world. Cola-colored tributaries intermittently ebb and flow with the changing tides across the sugary white sandy dunes that border the gulf. These exotic lakes are a magical mix of artisan spring-fed and salt waters, which provide a natural habitat that supports an abundant array of fish, waterfowl, and wildlife.

The Topsail Hill Preserve State Park covers 1,640 acres of pristine woodlands. It is named for the towering, sugary white dunes that run alongside the gulf, initially resembling the topsails of tall-masted ships from the gulf. You can delightfully cross a narrow cola-colored creek that flows to and from the gulf at Stallworth Lake for a stroll about three miles down the beach in serene isolation. This park's Old Growth forest access is at the main entrance on the western end of Scenic 30A. Trails meander throughout these expansive woodlands around the coastal dune lakes of Campbell and Morris. Here you may enjoy catching some fish while viewing the vast amount of waterfowl and wildlife around you. These unspoiled forests have a captivating look and provide a unique setting for fun outdoor adventures.

This Santa Rosa Beach community is only minutes away from popular restaurants, friendly bars with live music, grocery stores, and shopping adventures. The whimsically named Stinky's Fish Camp is directly across the street, featuring fresh gulf caught fish, oysters, and shrimp. The popular Vue on 30A is also very close by with stunning dune top vistas of the gleaming gulf serving Caribbean-style gourmet seafood. The Santa Rosa Beach village center of Gulf Place is less than five minutes away towards the east. It features unique restaurants with casual bars, a coffee shop, fashion boutiques, and galleries. In its center, a grassy palm-lined outdoor amphitheater hosts live concerts, various art shows, and fun festivals throughout the year. This seemingly remote locale is also minutes away from the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Here visitors can enjoy abundant amusements, restaurants, bars with live music, shopping adventures, concerts, festivals, and seasonal firework displays at the charming Village of Baytowne Wharf.