Beach Bonfires in Grayton Beach

Grayton Beach is the oldest community on Scenic Highway 30A, and its laid-back, artsy character sets it apart from the planned resort communities that surround it. Founded in the early 1900s, Grayton Beach has the kind of authentic beach-town soul that can't be manufactured — with unpaved roads, eclectic cottages, and a creative community that attracts artists, musicians, and free spirits.

The beach at Grayton is consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States, and for good reason. The sand is powder-fine, the water is impossibly clear, and the beach is bordered by the protected dunes of Grayton Beach State Park. A bonfire here feels less like a resort experience and more like a genuine beach gathering.

Western Lake, a rare coastal dune lake, sits right in Grayton Beach and periodically opens to the Gulf through the beach. This natural phenomenon creates a dramatic landscape where freshwater lake, sand dunes, and Gulf waters converge — a one-of-a-kind backdrop for your bonfire evening.

Grayton Beach's dining scene punches well above its weight for a small town. The Red Bar is a 30A institution known for live music and Cajun-influenced seafood. Chiringo is a beach bar literally on the sand, perfect for pre-bonfire drinks. The AJ's Grayton Beach outpost offers waterfront dining on the lake.