Dune Allen Beach

If you dream of a pure beach getaway, Dune Allen may be just what springs to mind. With sprawling beaches, five coastal dune lakes – Allen, Campbell, Morris, Oyster (shaped like an oyster shell) and Stallworth – and miles of trails, Dune Allen is a nature lover’s paradise without many commercial businesses.

Spend your days soaking up sunshine and taking nightly walks on the beach. Outfit yourself at Stinky’s Bait Shack to try your luck fishing from the beach or in a coastal dune lake (you’ll need a license for both unless you hire a guide that provides them).

Love to camp and explore Florida’s natural habitats? Head over to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, home to a 3.2-mile stretch of secluded beaches with coastal dune lakes and sand dunes stretching far off into the distance.

For lunch or dinner in Dune Allen, head over to Stinky’s Fish Camp, which was named one of the Top 10 places to eat by USA Today. Local Chef Jim Richard’s restaurant is a showcase of fresh seafood and Gulf-to-table cuisine. Stinky’s Stew is a local favorite. Just a short jump up the road is Elmo’s Grill, a low-key seafood restaurant serving up everything from crab legs to fresh fish for dinner nightly.

If you like to stay active, the Timpoochee Trail runs right through Dune Allen, so you can hit the trail first thing in the morning, all while enjoying plenty of scenic splendor.

Home to rare coastal dune lakes, a state park, and dining staples, Dune Allen is the perfect escape. Visiting this beach neighborhood for the first time? Here’s what you need to know.

Accessing the beach is a breeze. Walk, bike or drive to Dune Allen’s two regional beach accesses, Fort Panic or the newly constructed Dune Allen Regional Beach Access. Complete with parking, restroom facilities, and easily accessible dune walkovers, these accesses make it easy to stay on the sand until sunset.

If you’re looking for another spot to catch some rays or explore beyond the beach, check out Topsail Hill Preserve State Park - one of South Walton’s four state parks. Its three-mile stretch of white sand beaches, bordered by 25-foot rolling dunes will transport you to another world. Take the tram to the beach or walk through the towering pines on the paved nature trail. Cabins and campsites are available to rent if you plan to spend a night under the stars.

While Dune Allen may be a quiet beach escape, it is home to a hotspot for live music and great food. Stinky’s Fish Camp, nestled along Allen Lake, is where both locals and visitors go to enjoy fresh seafood in a casual, fun setting. Chef Jim Richard taps into his Louisiana roots with his Cajun-inspired family recipes, with a South Walton twist. Indulge at the Sunday Brunch and order The Rock Star, a crawfish pie with a poached egg. This, paired with one of their famous Bloody Mary’s, will give you a taste of a New Orleans café on the coast! 

The amenities you know and love about South Walton, mixed with old Florida charm are what make Dune Allen a classic beach getaway. So, are you ready to pack your beach bag?