Johnson Beach National Seashore

Johnson Beach sits at the center of Perdido Key, a barrier island which spans the Florida / Alabama border. 

The beach has a lifeguard service, plenty of facilities and a parking lot, all of which makes it ideal for families. Along with a host of water based activities there are also a number of hiking trails here best of which is the Discovery Nature Trail. This raised wooden boardwalk winds through dunes the dunes and pine woods for around half a mile.

The naming of the beach is for Rosamond Johnson. He was the first black serviceman from Escambia County to be killed in the Korean War. This ties in with the fact that during the time of segregation this was the only local beach open to African-Americans.

The beach here rarely gets what you would call crowded. If you want a little more beach to yourself, or even some solitude, head east. The beach road stops somewhere along this stretch, after which it is just a paradise of white sand, sweeping dunes and clear emerald sea.

The more remote sections of the beach have become known as one of the best nude beaches in Florida, particularly now that things are less tolerant at Navarre Beach. It is still not legal but generally as long as you don’t bother anyone, you won’t be bothered.