Highland Parks

This privileged South Walton enclave also features a seasonally heated resort-styled swimming pool close to all the homes located in Highland Parks. It is lovely to behold with curvy sides and resembles a tropical lagoon. A small island with a palm tree is in its center, while the spacious patio around it is adorned with five more. A separate rectangular hot tub sits near a stone rock waterfall cascading down the poolside for a lovely effect. The pool patio also includes a nice built-in fire pit with Adirondack chairs for warm comradery on occasional chilly evenings. A covered pavilion has comfortable outdoor furnishings, a bar, and gas grills for poolside cookouts and entertaining. There are also convenient restroom facilities with dressing rooms and showers on site. A four-story observation tower next to the pool provides panoramic vista views of the surrounding forested scenery.

The village of Blue Mountain Beach marks the highest elevation found anywhere along the entire Gulf of Mexico. It got its unusual name hundreds of years ago from Spanish explorers. They were mapping the gulf coast from far offshore to avoid being confronted by hostile Native Americans. They noticed what they thought was a “blue mountain” that rose high above the “beach” on each side and gave it this name. These explorers were actually seeing the tall towering hills covered with indigenous blue Lupine flowers next to flat beaches beside them. These forested hills rise high above the gulf and wrap around Draper Lake. Rare precious coastal dune lakes of this kind are a true natural treasure and found hardly anywhere else in the world. They provide a natural habitat for abundant wildlife, a wide variety of fish, and waterfowl.

Blue Mountain Beach has an almost Bohemian-type ambiance which is quite enchanting. There are a few locally-owned restaurants with friendly bars, a bakery, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, a couple of art galleries, and the oldest health food store in the county called “For the Health of It.” This health food center features organic produce, honey, a juice bar, natural herbs, and massage therapy. It is minutes away from other coastal villages like Santa Rosa Beach and Seaside, home to fantastic restaurants, beach bars, fashion boutiques, specialty shops, art galleries, amphitheater concerts, and fun festivals.