Running Navarre Beach to Opal Beach: 15 Miles Through Gulf Islands National Seashore

We ran this route in January 2026, while staying in Navarre, Florida, on our Gulf Coast RV road trip.

On a beautiful morning in Navarre, we laced up for our longest run since the Berlin Marathon in 2013. Fifteen miles, from the far end of Navarre Beach, through Gulf Islands National Seashore to Opal Beach and back. Here’s the route, the numbers and what we’d tell you before you try it.

The Route

We drove over to Navarre Beach and parked at the Sandpiper Pavilion in Navarre Beach Marine Park. It’s way at the east end, which was the point: we wanted to get the miles in. From there we ran west on Gulf Boulevard, past the condos and the beach houses, until the houses stopped. That’s where Gulf Islands National Seashore begins, and the road keeps going between the dunes. We kept going all the way to Opal Beach, then turned around and ran back.

Running in January on Navarre Beach means you’re mostly by yourself out there, especially once you leave the populated areas. There were few people, few cars, and beautiful sand dunes and water views as far as the eye could see. It was incredibly peaceful and serene.

The Numbers

• Distance: 15.05 miles, out and back
• Time: 3:08
• Average pace: 12:31 per mile
• Elevation gain: 62 feet. It’s about as flat as it gets.
• Temperature at the start: 54 degrees

It was a personal record on Stefan’s Garmin (granted, only since we started using Garmin), and it was the longest run either of us had done since Berlin.

Want a Shorter Run?

The same week, we did an 8-miler from the same starting point, just to the end of the houses and back. You still get the beach houses and the Gulf views without committing to the whole Seashore stretch. You can really choose any length you’d like on Navarre Beach and enjoy your run, whether you park down near the Sea Turtle Sanctuary or the National Seashore.

Tips If You Want to Run It

• Start early. We started around 7:30 a.m., and the morning was beautiful.
• Pick your start for the distance you want. Parking at the Sandpiper Pavilion adds miles. Start closer to the west end of the houses for a shorter run.
• Carry water. Once the houses stop, there isn’t much out there until Opal Beach. There are some toilets and water faucets at Opal Beach and sparsely along the rest of the Seashore.
• Plan for sun and wind. There’s no shade on the Seashore stretch.
• Watch for cars. We mostly ran along the road because there’s very little shoulder and no sidewalks. But there’s very little traffic, so it’s manageable.

Would We Run It Again?

This was a beautiful run, and we’d definitely do it again when in the area. It certainly beats running along a busy road with fumes to breathe in, and it’s not always easy to find an area where you can safely and easily run 15 miles or more. It was part of the reason we selected this area, and it definitely did not disappoint.

More from this stop: our two weeks in Navarre and our Emerald Beach RV Park review.

Do you run when you travel? Tell us your favorite route in the comments!