Panama City Area
When Northwest Florida was first developed, present-day Panama City was known as Floriopolis. The town changed names several times to Park Resort and then Harrison. Its last and newest name became Panama City. The reason that this coastal Florida town was named after Panama's capital is that a developer wanted to increase real estate development throughout Bay County during a time when the Panama Canal had gained enormous public interest. Also, the Panama City port was the closest US mainland port to the Caribbean Sea entrance of the Panama Canal. Today, Panama City has gained big attention throughout the US due to the spectacular beaches in the area. However, even though Panama City is best known for its beaches, the recreational side of the area must not be dismissed.
Much of the recreation in the Panama City area is focused on the coast. There is a number of state parks along the coast here that have great hiking trails as well as some beaches. Some of the coastal conservation areas include Topsail Hill State Park, Point Washington State Forest, and St. Andrews State Park. Nevertheless, recreation isn't limited to the coast. To the north of Panama City, a section of the Florida Trail that is nearly twenty miles long alongside Econfina Creek passes through the Econfina Creek Water Management Area. To the northwest of the city, Pine Log State Forest has hiking trails in the vicinity of Pine Log Creek and its tributaries. Last but not least, a relatively new restoration area called Conservation Park - with a developed trail system - can be accessed west of Panama City near Panama City Beach.
Much of the recreation in the Panama City area is focused on the coast. There is a number of state parks along the coast here that have great hiking trails as well as some beaches. Some of the coastal conservation areas include Topsail Hill State Park, Point Washington State Forest, and St. Andrews State Park. Nevertheless, recreation isn't limited to the coast. To the north of Panama City, a section of the Florida Trail that is nearly twenty miles long alongside Econfina Creek passes through the Econfina Creek Water Management Area. To the northwest of the city, Pine Log State Forest has hiking trails in the vicinity of Pine Log Creek and its tributaries. Last but not least, a relatively new restoration area called Conservation Park - with a developed trail system - can be accessed west of Panama City near Panama City Beach.