Settled in the top of the Florida Panhandle, between Escambia and Okaloosa Counties, is Santa Rosa County. Santa Rosa was previously a part of Escambia County until it was divided in 1842. Now Santa Rosa is known for their beaches, wilderness and history.

One fun attraction in Santa Rosa is the Gulf Breeze Zoo. With 50 acres in the Panhandle, the zoo is home to over 800 animals and is one of the biggest zoos in the area. This up-close interaction allows visitors to learn about amazing wildlife and have fun along the way. The zoo also has a safari train that takes visitors along a 30-acre preserve to see the animals in their natural habitats, as well as animal encounters for visitors who have interest in a specific mammals or reptiles.

If a person is feeling more adventurous, rafting in the Blackwater River State Park is the perfect excursion. Blackwater State Park begins in the north of Alabama and streams all the way down to Milton, FL. On the river, a person can tube, canoe, or even lounge nearby on the river’s sandbars. For any historians, the river was also a settlement for early Native Americans. Historical evidence suggests that settlers from Alabama and Georgia came down for timber resources found along the river.

Santa Rosa County is also one out of a few counties that are a part of FL-399. The scenic highway that runs along Florida’s Gulf Coast between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach. This highway runs through the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This shore is a national park with breathtaking views of the water on both sides, and it is a scenic representation of Florida’s most beautiful beaches.

Whether a person enjoys a more adventurous vacation, or a slow relaxing trip, Santa Rosa County has plenty to offer! From canoeing to fun zoo life, Santa Rosa is ready for a visit!