Shoal River Headwaters State Park | Photo: Trust for Public Land
In January 2026, Florida State Parks celebrated the anniversary of the addition of Shoal River Headwaters State Park as the newest state park in Florida.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) purchased and conveyed to the State of Florida more than 2,400 acres in Walton County in 2025. Located just west of DeFuniak Springs, the park features rolling sandy hills, mesic flatwoods and floodplain forests along tributaries of the Shoal River.
These connected open lands support native habitats and sensitive species and together provide expanded dispersal and movement options for wildlife. Rich in biodiversity, the property is home to five rare and special status species, including the gopher tortoise and eastern indigo snake. Conservation of the property provides species a refuge by creating a larger block of protected habitat with 350 feet of elevation differential and a variety of habitat niches.
The State is now embarking on a 10-year management planning process which will include substantial public input.
"Thanks to the extraordinary collaboration with Florida Forever, Atira Conservation, EJK Foundation and the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation, this remarkable landscape is protected forever — safeguarding water quality, wildlife habitat and abundant outdoor experiences for generations to come," said Melissa Hill, Senior Project Manager, Trust for Public Land.
Celebrating Florida's newest state park in January 2026| Photo: Trust for Public Land