Fort Walton Beach's Indian Temple Mound Museum and Park is a great place to learn about this city's first inhabitants, who lived here about 10,000 years ago. For the most part, they were Paleo-Indians and very skilled at making tools from stone. Experts believe that those settling around current-day Fort Walton Beach were more technologically advanced in their hunting than other Native Americans living nearby.Â
Spanish explorers arrived during the 16th century, and they brought diseases with them that, along with drought, wiped out the first inhabitants. While some question the validity of some of the stories, Captain Billy Bowlegs, whose real name was William Augustus Bowles, was a pirate who regularly stole from Spanish, English, and French ships exploring the area. Attend the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival to learn more.Â
During the Civil War, a small group of Confederate soldiers led by General Braxton Bragg stayed in the area. One of those men was John Thomas Brooks. The area where he settled is now Brooks Landing,Â
By the early 1900s, Fort Walton Beach was becoming a thriving community. You will want to dine at Magnolia Grill. Workers shipped this catalog house in pieces from New York. Inside, you can find a fantastic collection of historical items that once belonged to the city's most famous residents.Â
Winter Guest Fest – This January festival features activities for mature adults who spend their winters in Florida.Â
International Festival – Learn folklore from around the world while listening to live bands and participating in family activities at this March festival at The Landing in Fort Walton Beach.Â
Mac and Cheese Festival – Celebrate macaroni and cheese at this Fort Walton Beach March festival.Â
Sandestin Gumbo Festival – Head to The Village of Baytowne Wharf to enjoy this February festival featuring gumbo, bands and family entertainment.Â
Head to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park near Santa Rosa Beach to see the white quartz dune rising above the ground like ship sails and to explore the dune lakes. The 1,600-acre preserve at this location is ideal for hiking if you want to see wildlife, and Campbell Lake is a fantastic place to go kayaking.Â
It is hard to believe that Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park was once a World War II gunnery and bombing practice range. This park along a rocky bayou off Choctawhatchee Bay is a great place to fish. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent at this park near Niceville. There are 42 campsites at this park, and many of them are under 300-year-old pine trees.Â
The warm Gulf of Mexico waters beckons you to enjoy a kayaking or canoeing adventure at Henderson Beach State Park. This park's sugar-white beaches are an ideal place for sunbathing. You will want to cool off in the pristine warm Gulf water. This park's 30-foot-tall dunes are the perfect place for a hike.Â
Head to Veterans' Park on Okaloosa Island to see the eight statues of women who have played important roles throughout America's history. The bronze statues at the Women Veterans Monuments were unveiled on November 11, 2021. The first statue is Margaret Corbin, who served alongside her husband John during the Revolutionary War and became the first woman in America to draw a military pension. The statues created by Jon Hair are arranged in order of service. They end with Leigh Ann Heste, who served in the Persian Conflict and was the first woman to receive a Silver Star since World War II ended.Â
There are fantastic campgrounds on Okaloosa Island where you can stay when visiting Fort Walton Beach. Destin West RV Resort is on the bay and right across from some of the island's best beaches. Eagle's Landing RV Park offers spots that are 100 feet long. River's Edge in Holt provides a boat ramp onto the Yellow River.Â
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Fort Walton Beach, FL, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Fort Walton Beach?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Fort Walton Beach from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Fort Walton Beach?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
