Camp Helen is bordered on three sides by water; the gulf to the south and Lake Powell to the north and east. Lake Powell is the largest of the unique coastal dune lakes in Florida. Six communities await your exploration and discovery as well as a wealth of local and Florida history!
Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans inhabited the area more than 4,000 years ago. In more recent times, a hotel stood on the property in the 1920's, and after that burned down a private residence was built there in the 1930's. From 1945 until 1987, Camp Helen was a company resort for the employees of Avondale Mills, a textile company with numerous mills all over the southeast. The property became a state park in 1996, and has been open to the general public ever since! Most of those buildings have now been restored. The 183-acre park is for day use only. Activities include swimming, beachcombing, bird watching, nature study, hiking and biking on the trails, and both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
History Tours are given the first Saturday of every month at 10:00AM; free with paid park admission. Other annual events happen throughout the year.
Prehistoric middens and mounds indicate that humans inhabited the area more than 4,000 years ago. In more recent times, a hotel stood on the property in the 1920's, and after that burned down a private residence was built there in the 1930's. From 1945 until 1987, Camp Helen was a company resort for the employees of Avondale Mills, a textile company with numerous mills all over the southeast. The property became a state park in 1996, and has been open to the general public ever since! Most of those buildings have now been restored. The 183-acre park is for day use only. Activities include swimming, beachcombing, bird watching, nature study, hiking and biking on the trails, and both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
History Tours are given the first Saturday of every month at 10:00AM; free with paid park admission. Other annual events happen throughout the year.
