Amenities & Activities
Bear Creek offers a scenic community filled with a wide array of exceptional amenities designed to enhance your lifestyle. Residents can enjoy top-notch facilities, including pickleball courts, a basketball court, tennis courts, a fitness center, a playground, and a refreshing pool for relaxation.
Exciting developments are in progress with the construction of our new amenity center, which is set to be completed in spring 2025. The newest amenity will include a second resort-style pool and four additional pickleball courts, providing even more opportunities for recreation and enjoyment.
Bear Creek is dedicated to maintaining a community environment by prohibiting short-term and vacation rentals, ensuring that all amenities are exclusively for resident use. Embrace the vibrant lifestyle at Bear Creek, where community and leisure come together beautifully!
Experience the fast-paced fun of pickleball at Bear Creek Development’s dedicated courts! Perfect for players of all skill levels, our pickleball facilities offer a fantastic environment for both casual play and competitive matches. This popular sport combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, making it a great way to stay active and socialize with friends and neighbors. Discover why pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the nation.
Refine your game at Bear Creek Development’s premium tennis courts! Designed for players of all ages and abilities, our well-maintained facilities provide the perfect setting for practice, matches, or casual play with friends. Enjoy the thrill of competition or simply work on your skills in a friendly atmosphere. Tennis is more than just a game at Bear Creek—it's a way to connect, stay active, and enjoy the outdoors. Come join us on the court!
Elevate your game at Bear Creek basketball court, where players of all skill levels can enjoy friendly matches. Our court offers a vibrant space that fosters community engagement and promotes an active lifestyle.
Stay active and energized at Bear Creek Development’s inviting fitness center! Our well-equipped facility offers a treadmill, squat rack, and free weights, perfect for anyone looking to maintain their fitness routine or try something new. With a community fitness center, it’s easy to incorporate workouts into your daily schedule. Get moving and discover the benefits of a healthier lifestyle at Bear Creek!
Dive into relaxation and recreation at Bear Creek Development’s swimming pool! Our pool area is the perfect oasis for residents to unwind. Complete with comfortable lounge chairs, it’s an ideal spot for spending time with neighbors or peaceful solitude. Phase 3’s Amenity Center is slated to be completed in Spring of 2025 and will include a second resort-style pool.
Bring your little ones to Bear Creek Development’s charming playground, designed for endless fun and adventure! Featuring swings and a variety of play structures, our playground provides an inviting space for children to explore and socialize with friends. Parents can relax on the bench while watching their kids enjoy hours of active play, fostering both physical development and creativity.
Dive into a delightful array of dining options just a stone's throw away from Bear Creek Development in Freeport. Enjoy waterfront dining at restaurants like The Fish House, known for its fresh seafood and stunning views, or indulge in a delicious meal at The Bay Restaurant, where you can savor local flavors while overlooking the water. For a cozy and inviting atmosphere, visit Farm & Fire, where you can enjoy farm-fresh ingredients, sushi, and hearty dishes crafted over an open flame. Don’t miss the North Beach Social Club, a lively spot perfect for casual bites and refreshing drinks, all complemented by a vibrant social scene. With these fantastic options, you’ll find the perfect place to unwind and enjoy great food close to your neighborhood.
Get ready for exhilarating boating experiences around the corner from Bear Creek, where adventure is just minutes away! The stunning Choctawhatchee Bay can be easily accessed via convenient boat launches at Thomas Pilcher Park and Grady Brown Park, setting you up for your next aquatic adventure. For boating needs, the nearby Shipyard Marina offers fantastic docking and dry storage solutions for your vessel. Additionally, The Ships Chandler of Freeport features a wide range of boats and accessories, along with expert maintenance and repair services to ensure your boat stays in pristine condition.
Discover amazing fishing opportunities just minutes from Bear Creek Development! Around the corner, Thomas Pilcher Park offers direct access to the Choctawhatchee Bay, complete with a fishing pier & public docks. Nearby, Grady Brown Park provides excellent options for shore fishing. With the abundant waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay and world-class fishing in the Gulf of Mexico close at hand, you’ll have plenty of chances to reel in redfish, trout, and more, making this an ideal destination for fishing enthusiasts!
If you love paddleboarding, Bear has a fantastic location, where adventure is just a heartbeat away! The beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay offers convenient launch points at Thomas Pilcher Park and Grady Brown Park, making it easy to hit the water and explore the stunning coastline. Just a short drive away, Grayton Beach State Park provides a picturesque backdrop for paddle boarding, with tranquil waters perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers alike.
Experience thrilling water sports near Bear Creek, where adventure is always close at hand! With convenient launch points at Thomas Pilcher Park and Grady Brown Park, you can enjoy activities like wave running, kayaking, windsurfing, and parasailing on the beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay. Area coastal dune lakes, including Lake Powell and Draper Lake, along with the Gulf of Mexico, offer some of the best water sports experiences around, ensuring endless fun for every enthusiast!
Bear Creek boasts an ideal location just a short distance from the breathtaking Beaches of South Walton, known for their stunning coastlines. These beaches feature soft, white sands made of 99% pure quartz, creating a unique and inviting atmosphere for relaxation and recreation. With 26 miles of pristine shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico, residents can explore charming beach towns, enjoy excellent dining, and indulge in activities like swimming and paddleboarding. Embrace the coastal lifestyle and make unforgettable memories at these beautiful beaches, all easily accessible from your home at Bear Creek!
Bear Creek is ideally situated near several beautiful parks, offering residents abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Just around the corner, Thomas Pilcher Park features a well-maintained fishing pier, picnic areas, and scenic views of the Choctawhatchee Bay, making it a perfect spot for fishing and enjoying time with family and friends. Also nearby is Grady Brown Park, which provides fishing access, walking trails, and ample green space for children to play, creating a peaceful escape for nature enthusiasts. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, Grayton Beach State Park is a short drive away, featuring pristine beaches, hiking trails, and opportunities for swimming and paddleboarding, all while enjoying stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Bear Creek Development is near some of Florida's finest golf courses, offering residents exceptional golfing experiences. In Santa Rosa Beach, Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club is a premier 18-hole championship course that provides stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico along with a challenging yet enjoyable layout, complete with a pro shop and dining options.
In Freeport, Windswept Dunes Golf Club is celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and unique design amid rolling sand dunes, featuring generous fairways and large greens that make it suitable for all skill levels.
Meanwhile, nearby Bluewater Bay Resort in Niceville boasts 27 beautifully landscaped holes with three distinct nine-hole layouts that wind through picturesque pine forests and offer stunning views of Choctawhatchee Bay, complete with practice areas, a pro shop, and dining options for a complete golfing experience.
Bear Creek Development offers residents the convenience of having Publix just a quick five-minute drive away for everyday essentials and fresh produce. Adjacent to Publix is North Bay Mercantile, a charming boutique featuring a delightful selection of gifts, home décor, and local treasures. For a more extensive shopping experience, residents can explore the unique boutiques and coastal shops along Scenic Highway 30A, where popular spots like The Hidden Lantern Gallery and Seaside Style showcase the area's vibrant character. With essential grocery options and captivating shops just minutes away, Bear Creek Development provides an ideal blend of convenience and access to the best local shopping experiences.
Bear Creek is central to a variety of nature trails that highlight the stunning beauty of South Walton. One prominent attraction is Nokuse Plantation, a privately owned nature preserve covering an impressive 55,000 acres in Walton County, Florida. Established in 2001, this vital conservation initiative protects and restores the natural habitats of the Florida Panhandle while offering visitors scenic trails to explore and observe diverse wildlife. Additional nearby destinations include Grayton Beach State Park, Gayles Trails, and Point Washington State Forest, each providing unique opportunities for adventures ranging from beachfront parks to tucked away forest.
Bear Creek is conveniently located near numerous nature trails and biking paths that showcase the stunning beauty of South Walton. Grayton Beach State Park offers more than 4 miles of picturesque trails that wind through verdant pine forests and coastal dune ecosystems, making it an excellent destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts looking to experience the area's diverse wildlife. Nearby, Gayles Trails features around 3 miles of well-kept paths that cater to all skill levels, perfect for leisurely walks or refreshing bike rides. Furthermore, Point Washington State Forest provides over 10 miles of biking and hiking trails, creating a fantastic environment for outdoor adventures that appeal to everyone, from mountain bikers to families.
Area Information
Why the Emerald Coast of Florida is the Best Place to Live
If you’ve ever dreamt of living in a place that feels like a perpetual vacation, welcome to the Emerald Coast of Florida! Home to stunning white-sand beaches and crystal-clear emerald and deep blue waters, the Emerald Coast is renowned for its active, outdoor lifestyle and natural beauty. At Bear Creek, we offer a prime central location that puts you right in the heart of this coastal paradise, surrounded by some of the best parks, springs, and recreation that Florida has to offer.
The Emerald Coast is graced with breathtaking parks, making it an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Nature lovers can explore the lush landscapes of Grayton Beach State Park, Camp Helen, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Henderson Beach State Park, and St. Andrews State Park, each offering mesmerizing scenery from beachfront access to winding trails through rustic backwoods. By living in Bear Creek, you're just a short drive away from these stunning destinations, perfect for hiking, biking, and picnicking. Residents enjoy miles of nature trails at Nocuse Plantation, Turkey Creek Nature Trail, and Gayles Trails, making outdoor recreation a central part of life. You’ll even find a 74-foot waterfall at Falling Waters State Park.
The white quartz sand beaches of the Emerald Coast are among the most dazzling in the country. Residents can engage in swimming, snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters. If scuba diving intrigues you, don't miss the Underwater Museum of Art, an experience unlike any other. For water sport enthusiasts, the unique coastal dune lakes such as Lake Powell, Western Lake, Eastern Lake, Camp Creek Lake, and Little Redfish Lake provide opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding. Kiteboarding, riding wave runners, sailing, fishing, and kayaking are popular activities for days spent on gorgeous Choctawhatchee Bay. Additionally, the area is home to beautiful freshwater springs, including Blackwater River State Forest Springs and Ponce de Leon Springs, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and tubing.
The arts scene is alive and thriving along the Emerald Coast. Artists such as Kristin M. Hudspeth and Eddie Eason bring local inspiration to their vibrant works, while L. J. S. Smith captures stunning coastal landscapes in photography. Throughout 30A, galleries and art walks invite you to immerse yourself in the local culture. Festivals and events are a way of life here; from the 30A Songwriters Festival and Seagrove Beach Art Walk to the Emerald Coast Boat Week and Destin Fishing Rodeo, there’s always something happening to engage the community and celebrate local talent.
The incredible location of the Emerald Coast cannot be overstated. With easy access to major cities like Nashville, Birmingham, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, New Orleans, and more—all less than a 7-hour drive—residents enjoy the perfect balance of serene coastal living while being a drive away to bustling urban centers. Bear Creek is conveniently situated between two airports: just 30 minutes from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) and 25 minutes from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS), making travel a breeze.
Living in Bear Creek means not only embracing the stunning landscapes and activities of the Emerald Coast but also having quick access to highways, with County Highway 3280 linking you to Highway 331, Highway 98, and Interstate 10 within minutes. Whether you seek adventure on the water, relaxation on the beach, or a chance to explore the vibrant community that calls this place home, the Emerald Coast offers a lifestyle that is hard to resist. And Bear Creek puts you right in the middle of it all, while disallowing vacation rentals within the community gates.
With its blend of natural beauty, community spirit, and a plethora of recreational activities, the Emerald Coast of Florida truly stands out as the best place to live in Florida. Choose Bear Creek as your home and discover a life where every day feels like a vacation in paradise!
Location
Bear Creek boasts the best location on the coast, epitomized by its slogan, "Closer To Everything," as it sits conveniently off County Highway 3280, just over the bridge on main Highway 331. This prime position places Bear Creek directly across the Choctawhatchee Bay from Santa Rosa Beach and the Scenic Highway 30A, while also being situated to the west of Panama City Beach and east of Destin. Residents can enjoy quick access to the beautiful beaches of South Walton, as well as the convenience of a short drive to Interstate 10 and Highway 20. Additionally, Bear Creek is ideally positioned between two major airports: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), making it an exceptionally accessible destination. The strategic location of Bear Creek truly stands out as its greatest non-replicable asset.
