State Park / Beach

Henderson Beach State Park

Rating

4.5 (2,375 reviews)

📍 Location

17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin, FL 32541

📞 Contact

(850) 837-7550

About Henderson Beach State Park

TripAdvisor #6 Best Beach! Over 6,000 feet of pristine undeveloped shoreline, nature trails, and stunning coastal dunes.

Henderson Beach State Park offers over 6,000 feet of undeveloped shoreline, providing a glimpse of Florida's coast as nature intended. Awarded #6 Best Beach by TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice and rated 4.5 stars by over 2,375 guests.

What Makes It Special:

  • Pristine white-sand beaches backed by majestic coastal dunes
  • Less crowded than public beaches - perfect for a peaceful experience
  • Rare coastal dune ecosystem covered in sea oats and native vegetation
  • 0.75-mile nature trail winding through beautiful sand dunes
  • Wildlife watching - dolphins, sea turtles (loggerheads and greens nest here), and birds

Facilities:

  • Restrooms and outdoor showers
  • Picnic pavilions
  • Beach wheelchair availability
  • ADA accessibility
  • Campgrounds available

Park Information:

  • Hours: 8am until sunset, 365 days a year
  • Entrance Fee: $6 per vehicle (max 8 people), $4 single occupant, $2 pedestrians/bicyclists
  • Distance: About 3 miles east of downtown Destin on Emerald Coast Parkway

What Visitors Say: "I've done a huge amount of traveling around the US and Canada and this park has no equal. Staff and volunteers are polite, helpful and dedicated. The cleanest facilities at any state or provincial park."

Pro Tip: Arrive early in the morning when the park opens. By midday, traffic can back up past the entrance onto the highway!

Visit Official Website