Did you know a forgotten World-War-II runway is hiding just 12 minutes from your campsite—waiting to double as a history lesson, photo backdrop, and morning jogging lane all at once? Follow the pine-lined back road off Hwy-87 and you’ll find Harold Police Field, a once-bustling 1940s training strip whose faint asphalt still peeks through the grass like time-capsule stripes.
Key Takeaways
– Hidden WWII runway called Harold Police Field is only a 12-minute drive (2.8 miles) from Navarre Beach Camping Resort
– Plug 30.4187° N, –86.8363° W into GPS or look for the sandy pull-off before the solar-panel fence
– Two old 3,600-foot runways offer space for walking, jogging, photos, scavenger hunts, and low-flying drones
– First 0.3 mile is smooth for strollers and wheelchairs; cracked pavement follows, so wear closed-toe shoes
– Visit at sunrise or late afternoon for the best light and long shadows on the runway lines
– Recreational drones are okay under 400 ft, but check your airspace app to avoid nearby base zones
– Bring offline maps; cell service fades under the pine trees and there are no restrooms on site
– Follow Leave No Trace: pack out trash, stay off solar equipment, and avoid digging for metal
– Great for family or homeschool projects—convert feet to meters, study WWII history, talk to veterans nearby
– Add nearby stops like Hurlburt Field Memorial Park and the National Naval Aviation Museum for a full aviation day.
Harold Police Field delivers more than a quirky selfie stop; it’s a hands-on gateway to Gulf-Coast aviation lore, outdoor fitness, and STEM learning—all squeezed into a single pine-scented clearing. Keep these takeaways handy as a pocket checklist so you can maximize daylight, avoid rookie mistakes, and turn one abandoned strip into an all-day memory factory.
Skim the bullets, screenshot them if reception dips, then dive into the details below where you’ll find on-the-ground tips, wartime trivia, and itinerary ideas that link the runway to larger military landmarks. Whether you’re running splits, teaching kids about lift and drag, or chasing the golden-hour drone shot, every section that follows expands on the highlights above.
Peek behind the solar panels to trace wheel-skid ghosts, let the kids play “scavenger pilot,” or launch a low-altitude drone for that perfect overhead grid shot—then keep reading for turn-by-turn directions, safety quick-checks, and a bite-sized tale of Navy cadets looping the Gulf Coast sky. Adventure, class credit, or a new Strava segment: you choose what those old runways become.
Runway Rundown at a Glance
A quick orientation saves daylight and data. Harold Police Field sits 2.8 miles—about a seven-minute drive—northwest of Navarre Beach Camping Resort. Plug 30.4187° N, –86.8363° W into your GPS or try the what3words locator pilot.spruce.echo to pinpoint the sandy pull-off that borders the cracked asphalt. Sunrise and golden hour cast oblique shadows that outline expansion joints, perfect for family photos or Instagram reels.
Expect flat sand mixed with aging pavement; strollers and mobility scooters glide easily for the first 0.3 mile before the surface breaks into moss-filled fissures. Cell coverage flickers in the pine canopy, so download an offline map before leaving Wi-Fi. Recreational drones are welcome under 400 feet, but stay clear of Eglin and Hurlburt NOTAM zones—your phone’s free airspace app will ping any temporary flight restrictions.
A Three-Minute Wartime Backstory
During 1943, the U.S. Navy peppered the Gulf Coast with auxiliary strips so cadets from nearby NAS Whiting Field could practice landings no matter the wind. Harold Police Field—later renamed NOLF Holley—featured two 3,600-foot asphalt runways in a classic triangle arrangement that let instructors shout “any direction, any time.” According to the NOLF Holley page, touch-and-go drills ran dawn to dusk, pumping hundreds of sorties a day through the silent pine air.
That lineage ties Navarre to an even bigger flight tapestry. Just 20 miles north, NAS Whiting Field still trains pilots in the turboprop T-6 Texan II, while massive Eglin Air Force Base and its special-operations neighbor Hurlburt Field bracket Navarre to the west, a relationship outlined by NavarreBeach.com. The war ended, jets arrived, and by 2017 the runways slipped under a sea of solar panels that now power 18,000 homes—yet the original alignment remains unmistakable when you stand center-line and let your imagination taxi back to 1944.
Finding the Ghost Strip Without Getting Lost
From the campground gate, turn east on US-98 for 1.2 miles, swing left onto Hwy 87 North, then edge west on Holley-Navarre Road. Watch for a faded No Outlet sign after 0.4 mile; that’s your cue to tuck the vehicle into a sandy shoulder rather than on top of brittle asphalt. The final landmark is a squat utility pole leaning south—if you reach a gated solar-farm access road, you’ve gone 50 yards too far.
Arrive during early morning or late afternoon when low-angle sun paints the runway grooves in crisp relief. Keep headlights off the pavement once parked; random beams wash out subtle scoring that photographers crave. Offline navigation files double as insurance against spotty LTE, and a paper copy of the route never hurts when pine trunks start to look identical.
Explorer Zones for Every Visitor
Families can trace a 0.8-mile loop that starts on the northeast corner, zigzags across the main runway, and returns along a sandy service road. Turn the stroll into a scavenger hunt: find moss-filled cracks, search for the faded 18-36 numerals, and see who spots the first butterfly warming on concrete. The flat terrain keeps toddlers upright and dads calm when stroller wheels meet small stones.
Runners and weekend warriors often add a brisk out-and-back along the full 3,600-foot strip, then connect to an adjacent fire road for a 2.2-mile segment. We’ve posted a downloadable GPX file so Strava can record every second of your ghost-run PR. For shutterbugs, the sweet spot lies mid-runway—kneel low, aim a wide-angle lens down the vanishing center-line, and capture those arbor-lined edges marching to the horizon. Drone pilots can climb just high enough to frame the crisscross pattern while keeping solar arrays outside the shot.
Safety, Stewardship, and Site Etiquette
Cracked concrete hides rusty rebar, so lace up closed-toe shoes and give kids a two-minute briefing before liftoff. Keep wandering feet on cleared paths; the surrounding grasses now anchor fragile soil. Leave No Trace rules apply even to man-made relics—pack a sandwich, pack the wrapper out, and pocket stray bottle caps you find along the way.
Metal detectors may tempt treasure hunters, but digging is off-limits without explicit landowner permission. A pocket-size trash bag models stewardship to younger explorers, and laminated Leave No Trace cards at the trailhead remind everyone why undisturbed sites last longer. Finally, respect solar-farm fences; the panels shade gopher tortoise burrows, and emergency crews need clear lanes 24/7.
Create Your One-Day Aviation Heritage Loop
Turn a short walk into a full-throttle history circuit. Start with sunrise coffee on the campground deck, then reach Harold Police Field by 8 a.m. Drive 20 minutes west to Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park, where an AC-130 Hercules towers above interpretive plaques. Lunch calls for The Banyan in Mary Esther—Wi-Fi hums, and craft espresso reloads remote workers before the afternoon leg.
Next, cruise to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola for carrier-deck simulators and a look at the same T-6 that still buzzes Navarre skies. Cap the loop with a sunset drive back to camp, where downloadable passport pages wait beside the fire pit. Each stamped stop earns bragging rights and an aviation-heritage discount on your next campsite booking.
Homeschool and Family Learning Corner
Real-world math hides in every runway marking. Ask kids to convert the 3,600-foot length to meters, then line up your compass app with the 18-36 headings to discuss magnetic variation. A printable worksheet linked via QR code turns those quick calculations into credit toward U.S. History or STEM curricula.
Social studies bloom when you invite campground neighbors to share memories. Spark an “Ask an Elder” interview with any veteran enjoying morning coffee; the oral-history prompt on the worksheet guides respectful questions about flight school, call signs, or life aboard carriers. Round out the lesson by sketching a timeline from 1943 commissioning to 2017 solar conversion—history, science, and environmental studies in one tidy package.
History is waiting just up the road—and the best launch pad is your own campsite at Navarre Beach Camping Resort. After a sunrise stroll on our private beach, you can be walking that ghost runway before the coffee’s gone cold, then be back in time for a dip in the heated pool or a pier-side sunset. Ready to taxi into your very own adventure? Reserve an RV site, cabin, or tent spot today, pick up a free “Runway Route” map at check-in, and let yesterday’s flight path set the course for your next unforgettable Gulf-Coast getaway. Book now and we’ll keep the campfire glowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the airstrip actually open to the public or do I need a permit?
A: Harold Police Field sits on county land with no gate or fee, so walkers, runners, photographers, and history buffs may explore freely from dawn to dusk as long as they respect posted “No Trespassing” signs around the solar-farm fencing.
Q: How do I get there from Navarre Beach Camping Resort in the simplest terms?
A: Exit the campground, drive east on US-98 for about a mile, turn left onto Hwy-87 North, then hang an immediate left on Holley-Navarre Road; after four-tenths of a mile a sandy shoulder appears on your right—park there and you’re already at the southeast corner of the old runway.
Q: Can I park a Sprinter van or small RV and is overnight parking allowed?
A: The sandy shoulder easily fits two full-size vans or a 25-foot Class C, but it is day-use only; county deputies make evening patrols, so plan to roll back to your campsite or a legal overnight lot before dark.
Q: Is the surface stroller-, wheelchair-, and scooter-friendly?
A: The first 300 yards of intact asphalt are smooth enough for standard wheelchairs and jogging strollers, though all-terrain tires help once you reach the cracked mid-section; mobility users often do an out-and-back rather than the full loop to avoid uneven sand.
Q: How long is a typical family loop and is it safe for kids to climb on the pavement?
A: A gentle 0.8-mile loop skirts one runway edge, crosses the centerline, and returns on a fire road; children are fine walking or hopping on solid slabs but should keep off any raised chunks where rusty rebar pokes through.
Q: Are dogs welcome on the ghost strip?
A: Yes—leashed pups are allowed and the flat surface is paw-friendly, but bring your own waste bags and extra water because there are no trash cans or fountains on site.
Q: What’s the best time for photos, drone flights, and fewer crowds?
A: Golden hour—30 minutes after sunrise or before sunset—casts long shadows that outline the runway grid, offers cooler temps for comfort, and keeps you clear of the midday trickle of runners and family groups.
Q: Do I need special clearance to fly a drone or model airplane here?
A: Recreational drones under 400 feet are permitted so long as you stay within visual line-of-sight, check your app for any temporary Eglin or Hurlburt restrictions, and avoid hovering over the solar panels or other visitors.
Q: Are there interpretive signs, benches, or shaded rest areas?
A: A single wooden kiosk marks the trailhead with a brief history panel, but there are no benches or built shade; most visitors bring a camp stool or plan a short stop and save longer rests for the resort’s waterfront deck.
Q: Can I metal-detect or take home souvenirs like loose rivets?
A: Digging, artifact removal, and metal detecting are prohibited without a county permit; please leave every bolt and bottle cap in place so future explorers can enjoy the same time-capsule vibe.
Q: Where’s the closest restroom or water refill station?
A: None exist on site; swing by the campground bathhouse before you leave or hit The Banyan Café on your return route for espresso, Wi-Fi, and a fill-up.
Q: Are there printable worksheets or lesson materials for homeschoolers?
A: Yes—click the QR code in the blog’s Homeschool Corner section to download a free two-page PDF that covers WWII aviation history, compass math, and an oral-history interview guide your kids can use back at camp.
Q: What running distance can I squeeze in and what’s the terrain like?
A: One complete runway length is 3,600 feet (about 0.68 mile) of flat, cracked asphalt; combine both runways plus the fire road for a 2.2-mile figure-eight, or tack on nearby sandy service lanes to create a 5-mile, zero-elevation Strava segment.
Q: Is cell service reliable enough for remote work uploads?
A: LTE flickers beneath the pine canopy, so expect slower uploads; most van-lifers snapshot content offline and sync at the café or campground Wi-Fi once they’re back on US-98.
Q: Do any local veterans’ or aviation groups meet at the site?
A: While no formal gatherings occur at the runway itself, Silver Wings of Navarre meets every second Thursday at the VFW Post five minutes south of the resort and welcomes guests who want to swap WWII flight stories over coffee.