Waterfalls, Wolves and Waterways

Washington County is among rural destinations tapping into its natural beauty to attract visitors and generate revenue.

According to the latest data available from VisitFlorida, total visitor spending in Washington County was about $21.6 million in 2021, with about $7 million spent at local lodging and $6.3 million spent in local restaurants. That data reflects growth from 2020 visitor data, which showed spending of $18.5 million, a depressed amount due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2023, tourism generated about $2 million in state and local tax revenue and supported more than 300 local jobs with wages alone totaling more than $5.7 million.

Heather Lopez, director of the county’s Tourism Development Council (TDC), said nearly all those numbers are a product of ecotourism.

“With more than 382,000 acres of rolling hills covered with stately pines and mixed hardwood forests and 16,000 acres of pristine water, Washington County is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state and offers a rich local heritage through history and events,” Lopez said.

Far from the crowds that pack Gulf beaches, a sandy beach at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley appeals to people eager to take to fresh water or just relax. Photo by Colin Hackley Photo / Visit Florida

Washington County’s ecotourism is largely tied to the crystalline beauty of its natural springs, where water temperatures hover at 70 degrees year-round. Situated mainly along Holmes Creek and Econfina Creek, the springs offer a variety of activities including swimming, snorkeling and kayaking to photography and camping. Popular among cave divers is the cave system at Cypress Springs, which reaches depths of at least 65 feet. Holmes Creek itself is a 34-mile scenic paddling trail, part of the 64-mile Choctawhatchee Paddling Trail.

Tourists also seek out Florida’s tallest waterfall, located at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley. The 73-foot waterfall flows into a cylindrical limestone sinkhole known as Falling Waters Sink and is the centerpiece of the park’s other features, such as its butterfly garden, lake and areas for camping, hiking and birdwatching.

Ebro’s Pine Log State Forest is another popular destination, especially for campers.

Although the outdoor enthusiasts are drawn to its natural beauty and recreation, Washington County also features a few nontraditional attractions.

Distant dog relatives who reside at Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Chipley include gray wolves. Seacrest is one of the few places in the world where visitors can interact with pure-bred wolves versus being separated from them by fences or enclosures. Photo by Scott Holstein

Notably, Seacrest Wolf Preserve offers a rare opportunity to experience wolves up close and personal. The preserve offers popular educational walking tours, which take visitors through large natural habitats that are home to gray, Arctic and British Columbian wolves. Seacrest is one of the few places in the world where visitors can interact with pure-bred wolves rather than just view them through a fence or glass enclosure.

Also characterized by efforts at species preservation, the Orange Hill Gator Farm works to dispel myths about alligators. Licensed through the Florida Wildlife and Fish Conservation Commission, the farm is home to more than 600 gators, including hatchlings. Visitors can arrange for a tour that features one-on-one contact with the baby alligators.

A boy smiles through the experience of handling a juvenile gator at the Orange Hill Gator Farm. Photo courtesy of Washington County

The TDC has also coupled its popular nature-based tourism attractions with heritage tourism, notably the Washington County Heritage GeoTrail, a geocaching trail based on 32 historic locations throughout the county, some of which predate the county, itself. Players look for caches in four quadrants of the county, learning more about local history along the way.

While nature is at the heart of Washington County’s tourism industry, Ebro Greyhound Park and Poker Room remains a popular draw for visitors. Florida voters overwhelmingly supported a 2018 measure to ban greyhound racing in the state, but the park still offers simulcast wagering, as well as its popular poker room. In addition to being the county’s only gaming facility, the pari-mutuel park is also one of its largest employers. The Poker Room is open from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., Sunday to Thursday, and is open 24 hours each Friday and Saturday.

Visitors hike a trail at Pine Log State Forest near Ebro. Photo courtesy of Washington County

The county is also home to one of the nation’s largest free festivals. Held the last full weekend in June, the Panhandle Watermelon Festival is a Northwest Florida tradition and features live entertainment on Friday night by country recording artists. In recent years, Friday night’s performance has featured Darryl Worley, John Anderson, Restless Heart and Mark Wills. The 2023 festival attracted more than 10,000 people.

“We offer rich heritage, breathtaking beauty and Southern charm,” Lopez said. “Washington County is a place steeped in history and natural resources. We are the perfect place to get away from it all and experience life naturally.”

For more information on tourism in Washington County, go to: visitwcfla.com.