Henderson Beach State Park

Located near the city of Destin, Henderson Beach State Park is an oceanfront state park that has a large unnamed beach with light brown sand.  Coastal vegetation and sand dunes are also present near this beach. 

The beach in Henderson Beach State Park does not have lifeguards. However, the beach and the area around it have many amenities including showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and a children’s playground. In addition, the park also offers access to people with disabilities. Dogs are not allowed on the beach. 

The beach in Henderson Beach State Park offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching, picnicking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, surf-skiing, jet-skiing, snorkeling, water-skiing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, boating, and parasailing. If you are planning to go into the water near Henderson Beach State Park, we recommend being careful as the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents. In addition, drowning related deaths have also been previously reported in the water near this beach. However, despite the risky water conditions, snorkelers often enter the water near this beach to explore its vibrant biodiversity. Depending on the time of the year, you can see many kinds of animals in the water here including dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees, along with a wide variety of fish. If you like birdwatching, you can also see many kinds of shorebirds around the beach in Henderson Beach State Park. The beach in Henderson Beach State Park is ideal for those looking for a private beach experience as this beach sees fewer visitors than other Northern Florida beaches. If you like fishing, you can also catch many kinds of fish in the water near Henderson State Park Beach including pompano, flounder, and cobia. However, if you are planning to fish in the water near Henderson Beach State Park, please make sure that you follow the local fishing regulations.

Henderson Beach State Park protects one of the last remaining coastal scrub habitats in the Florida Panhandle region. In addition, the park also has an interesting dune system. You can explore the park’s vibrant landscape through the nature trails and hiking trails present here. You can also view many kinds of animals in this state park including bobcats, gopher tortoises, and rabbits. Depending on the time of the year, you can also see migratory birds and monarch butterflies in this state park. The state park also has a paved road which offers a fun biking experience. The park also has remnants of a United States Air Force Clausen Tracking Site, which was established in the 1950s for supporting national security-related programs and rocketry testing programs. The state park also has 60 campsites which can accommodate both tents and RVs. If you are planning to camp in these campsites, you can visit Florida State Parks’ reservations website or call the state park authorities at 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287 for more information regarding the camping rules and charges

Getting to Henderson Beach State Park is easy - the state park is located near 17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, which is a part of United States Highway 98. The state park also has a parking lot. However, please note that you need to pay a fee for accessing Henderson Beach State Park. 

There are many attractions near Henderson Beach State Park. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is home to many animals including seals, sea lions, manta rays, penguins, alligators, turtles, and stingrays.  In addition, this marine park also organizes fun interactive sessions and exciting shows featuring its animals. Gator Beach - The World's Greatest Alligator Park is an alligator park where visitors can view and even feed hundreds of live American alligators.  This park also hosts fun shows and interesting tours which offer more intriguing details about these amazing creatures. In addition, the park also features a DISCOVERY ZONE which has interpretive exhibits about alligators and their habitat. If you are looking for another attraction near Henderson Beach State Park, Destin History and Fishing Museum which offers informative exhibitions about Destin’s unique and vibrant history. In addition, the museum also has a wide variety of fishing-related exhibits including acclaimed author Ernset Hemingway’s fishing rod and a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Henderson Beach Park. Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood is an upscale restaurant which serves fantastic steaks and seafood. In addition, this restaurant has been praised by many publications including Wine Spectator and Emerald Coast Magazine. As another upscale option, Louisiana Lagniappe offers amazing regional seafood dishes with Creole culinary influences. Aegean Greek Restaurant offers a variety of amazing Greek dishes including pastitsio (also known as pastichio), moussaka, gyro, and Greek salad. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Henderson Beach State Park, Mary’s Kitchen offers excellent dishes for breakfast including French toasts, pancakes, and eggs. In addition, the restaurant also serves amazing burgers, salads, sandwiches, seafood, and barbecued meat platters.

If you are looking for a hotel near Henderson Beach State Park, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa offers many amenities including, a spa, multiple restaurants, two hot tubs, eight bars, and three pools. In addition, the hotel also offers a children’s activity programme. A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Embassy Suites by Hilton Destin Miramar Beach offers many amenities including a pool, a private oceanfront area, a cafe, complimentary breakfast, and a gym. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Henderson Beach State Park, the 2-Star SummerPlace Inn Destin FL Hotel offers many amenities including a snack shop, a hot tub, two pools, an exercise room, and complimentary breakfast.