Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park protects one of the last undeveloped stretches of Gulf shoreline in Destin: sugar-white sand backed by dunes that rise about 30 feet, with no condos in sight. The land was bought from the Henderson family estate in 1983 as the first purchase under Florida’s Save Our Coast program, and the park opened to the public in 1991. It sits on Emerald Coast Parkway (US 98) in east Destin, right next door to Henderson Beach Resort & Spa.

Plan ahead: day-use entry is by reservation. Since May 15, 2026, every vehicle entering for the day needs a reservation, including Florida State Parks annual passholders and City of Destin resident passholders. Reservations open up to 60 days ahead at Reserve.FloridaStateParks.org, and the entry fee ($6 per vehicle for two to eight people, $4 for a single occupant) is paid when you book. Pedestrians and cyclists don’t need a reservation and pay $2 at the gate. Book early for summer weekends and holidays.

Most visitors come for the beach: swimming, wading and surf fishing along the Gulf, with boardwalks over the dunes, picnic pavilions, restrooms and outdoor showers in the day-use area. The three-quarter-mile nature trail winds through coastal scrub, some of the last left in the area, and climbs a high dune for a view over the park and, in places, the Gulf. Leashed pets are welcome on the trail, in the parking lots and on the day-use sidewalks, but not on the beach.

The park’s 60-site campground is one of the few places to camp within walking distance of the Gulf in Destin. Every site has water, electric and sewer hookups, the bathhouses are heated and air-conditioned, and boardwalks lead straight to the sand. Campsites can be reserved up to 11 months ahead, and camping guests enter with their camping reservation.

Henderson Beach State Park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year, at 17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin, FL 32541. Call 850-837-7550 or check the Florida State Parks website for current fees, alerts and reservations.