Henderson Beach State Park

Overview

Henderson Beach State Park is a beautiful coastal park located on the Gulf of Mexico, offering pristine white sandy beaches, natural dunes, and scenic picnic areas. It's known for its stunning sunsets and excellent opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing.

The park is part of the Florida State Parks system and is known for its well-preserved natural dunes and diverse wildlife, including the endangered least tern.

State Park Beach Nature Reserve

Location

Address

17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, Florida

Neighborhood: Emerald Coast

Coordinates

30.368600, -86.433600

Visiting Information

Opening Hours

monday 8:00 AM - sunset

tuesday 8:00 AM - sunset

wednesday 8:00 AM - sunset

thursday 8:00 AM - sunset

friday 8:00 AM - sunset

saturday 8:00 AM - sunset

sunday 8:00 AM - sunset

Admission

Adults

$5

Children

$3

Best Time to Visit

Overall Best Period

March-May, October-November

Best Time of Day

Early morning

fewer crowds, better wildlife viewing

Duration Recommendations

Minimum

2 hours

Recommended

4-5 hours

Full Experience

full day

Seasonal Highlights

spring

mild to warm

• wildflowers
• sea turtle nesting

summer

hot and humid

• swimming, snorkeling

autumn

mild, cooler evenings

• fall foliage
• sea turtle hatching

winter

cool, occasionally cold

• wildlife viewing

Know Before You Go

Essential Information

Check weather conditions
Bring sunscreen
Respect wildlife

What to Bring

essential

ID water swimsuit

seasonal

jacket umbrella

not allowed

glass containers pets

Health & Safety

Physical Requirements: low to moderate

• swimming can be dangerous
• hot weather

Medical facilities: first aid available on-site

Payment Information

Accepted

cash, credit cards

Currency

USD

Typical Costs

entry $5

parking $3

food $10

souvenirs $15

Dress Code

casual, beachwear, comfortable shoes, hat, sandals, flip-flops, water shoes, inappropriate clothing

Booking Tips

• 1 week
• official website
• 48 hours
• not applicable

Amenities

Restrooms

Gift shop

Atm

Wifi

Lockers

Wheelchair rental

Stroller rental

On site restaurant

Cafe

Picnic areas

Outside food allowed

Digital Services

Mobile App

Florida State Parks

Size: 30 MB

Features: Map, Trail guides, Park information

Platforms: iOS, Android

WiFi Zones: Visitor center, picnic areas

Charging Stations: Visitor center

How to Reach

From Airport

Nearest: Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

Distance: 20 km

Travel Time: 25 minutes

taxi

$35 25 min

public_transport

$5 40 min

From City Center

Distance: 10 km

bus

$2 20 min

taxi

$15 15 min

Local Insights

Cultural Context

Why Locals Love It: Natural beauty, peaceful environment

Historical Significance: Part of the original coastal ecosystem

Insider Tips

Best sunsets at the western end
Early morning for wildlife spotting

Local Recommendations

• Try local seafood
• Ask for guide Sarah

Language Help

Useful Phrases

hello Hello

thank_you Thank you

where_is Where is

how_much How much

beautiful Beautiful

ticket Ticket

Guide Languages: English, Spanish

Photography Guide

Best Photo Spots

Beach entrance

Best Time: Sunset

Tips: Wide angle for dunes

Result: Stunning beach shots

#beachlife #sunset

Photography Rules

allowed areas beach, picnic areas, trails

prohibited areas restrooms, buildings

flash photography allowed

commercial photography permit needed

drone policy prohibited without permit

tripod policy allowed

selfie sticks allowed

Nearby Attractions

Crab Trap

Distance: 500m

Walking: 10 min

Type: Restaurant

James Lee Park

Distance: 1km

Walking: 15 min

Type: Park

Reviews

4.7

Based on 850 reviews

Recent Visitor Tips

"Visit early"
"Bring water"
"Great for families"

Contact Information

+1 850-837-7572

Henderson.Beach@floridastateparks.org

www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/henderson-beach-state-park

Social Media

Related Tours & Activities (3)