Michael T.
Yelp
The park itself is beauitiful. It is well worth a visit. It has some habitats there that you just won't find anywhere else. The dunes are massive and the sand is pristine. They have a very unique feature there called the "Hobbit Hole". The dune is so big that it covers entire tree trunks, which allows you to walk over the dune directly into the caonpy of the trees. Like I said, it's extremely unique. And the beaches themselves are simply gorgeous. I've never seen a more beautiful place for viewing sunrises and sunsets.
You can camp in tents or in your RV inside the main park area. It puts you right near Western Lake and the dunes. If you want to stay in a cabin, like we did, you check-in at the main gate, then go back out the main exit, and drive about a mile west to the cabin entrance. It is a separate area of coastal scrub flatwoods with its own private beach.
The cabins all have gas fireplaces. They have a queen bed in one room, and two single beds in another bedroom. You also have a futon in the living area. The appliances were nice. The stove was state-of-the-art. Dishwasher is small, but gets the job done well. They provide sheets and blankets, as well as pots, pans, dishes, glasses, and silverware. Make sure to bring your own cleaning supplies (paper towels, hand soap, dish soap, etc.). They did offer dishwashing soap, but it only works for the dishwasher. Oh yeah, and no TVs or telephones in the cabins.
The cabins are duplexes. There are four in each of the 3 loops. So you get 8 cabins per loop. Loop 1 and 2 are closer to the beach, so they offer a shorter walk. Loop 3 is about twice as far of a walk. We stayed in Loop 1, and it took us about 5 minutes to reach the beach at a slow walk.
Wildlife viewing is really good. You get to see all sorts of birds. We saw many terns on the beach, a pileated woodpecker probing a pine tree on the trail, and two deer right on the side of the road leading to the cabins. Awesome!
As far as shopping goes, there isn't much. There is a StarBucks near the park in a small shopping complex. We got drinks there once. For groceries, you can go to Publix in Seaside, which is east of the park entrance.
I'm definitely a fan of this park. I highly recommend you visit, especially if you have never been. Stay in one of the cabins. We went in the offseason when cabins are $110 per night. They are $130 per night beginning February 1st. The cold weather made it special. It was very peaceful and quiet. I highly recommend this park as a great place to get away from it all for a few days.