Okaloosa County · Destin · Florida
HIGH HAZARD · RED High hazard, dangerous currents
75.6Water °F
2.8Waves ft
77.4Air °F
5.35UV
Flag is county-wide from South Walton Fire District · posted Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
Water, waves, air and UV pulled Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
Water, waves, air and UV pulled Nov 4, 8:00 AM CT
The short answer
Henderson Beach State Park is a Florida State Park in Destin, Okaloosa County, at 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, protecting about a mile of sugar-white beach and 30-foot dunes on the Gulf. The big thing to know in 2026: day-use entry requires an advance online reservation, required since May 15, 2026, bookable up to 60 days ahead at reserve.floridastateparks.org; you cannot drive up and pay at the gate, even with an annual pass. Entry is $6 per vehicle (max 8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 per pedestrian, bicyclist or extra passenger. The park is open 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days, has about 300 parking spaces, beach wheelchairs, a playground, picnic pavilions, a nature trail and a 60-site campground.
📋 Henderson Beach State Park at a glance
| Where it is | 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin FL 32541. Okaloosa County, City of Destin. |
| What it is | Florida State Park, roughly a mile of Gulf beach and 30-foot dunes on the Emerald Coast. |
| ⭐ Reservation required | Day-use entry requires an advance online reservation since May 15, 2026. Book at reserve.floridastateparks.org, up to 60 days ahead. No drive-up entry, even with an annual pass. |
| Fees | $6 per vehicle (max 8 people). $4 single-occupant vehicle. $2 per pedestrian, bicyclist, extra passenger, or passenger with an annual individual pass holder. |
| Hours | 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. |
| Parking | About 300 spaces. |
| Amenities | Restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic pavilions, playground, boardwalk, nature trail, campground (60 sites), beach wheelchairs, ADA access. |
| Phone | 850-837-7550. |
| Camping | 60-site campground, bookable at reserve.floridastateparks.org. |
| Dogs | State park rules, not Walton County's. Keep to the park's pet policy; not allowed on the beach in most Florida state parks. Check before bringing one. |
🏖️ What Henderson Beach State Park is actually like
Henderson is the beach everybody posts and nobody tells you how to get into anymore. For decades it was the easy one: drive up, pay six bucks, park in a big lot, walk over the dunes. Then in May 2026 the state moved it to a reservation system, and now you book online up to 60 days out or you don't get in. That single change is the most useful thing anyone can tell a visitor, and almost no guide says it yet.
What you get when you do get in is the best-protected beach in Destin. The dunes are 30 feet and they're real dunes, with sea oats and the scrub that keeps them in place, because the park hasn't been built over. A mile of sand, about 300 parking spaces, picnic pavilions, a playground and a nature trail through the coastal scrub. It's also the only place in Destin where you can camp, which matters if you want to wake up on the water without a condo in the way.
❓ Henderson Beach State Park questions
Do you need a reservation for Henderson Beach State Park?
Yes. Day-use entry has required an advance online reservation since May 15, 2026. Book at reserve.floridastateparks.org, up to 60 days ahead. You cannot drive up and pay at the gate, even with an annual pass.
How much does Henderson Beach State Park cost?
$6 per vehicle (max 8 people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, $2 per pedestrian, bicyclist or extra passenger. Pay online when you book.
What are the hours at Henderson Beach State Park?
8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year.
How many parking spaces does Henderson have?
About 300.
Can you camp at Henderson Beach State Park?
Yes. There's a 60-site campground, bookable at reserve.floridastateparks.org. It's the only camping inside Destin city limits.
Are there beach wheelchairs at Henderson?
Yes, free, from the park itself. There's also ADA access and a boardwalk. Reserve early in summer.
Is Henderson Beach the best beach in Destin?
Widely considered so. It has the tallest dunes and the longest unprotected stretch, plus a playground, pavilions and a nature trail. It's also the most restricted now because of the reservation system.
Are dogs allowed at Henderson Beach State Park?
State park rules apply, which differ from Walton County. Dogs are generally not allowed on the beach in Florida state parks; check the park's pet policy before bringing one.
Can you swim at Henderson?
Yes. The beach is Gulf front and patrolled. Rip currents are the hazard; check the flag.
What's the difference between Henderson and James Lee Park?
Henderson is a state park: $6 per vehicle, reservation required, 300 spaces, camping. James Lee Park is Okaloosa County: free, 170 spaces, no reservation. James Lee is the easier option.
Where do you eat near Henderson Beach?
Restaurant Row on US 98 is minutes away, and the Destin harbor is a short drive. The park has picnic pavilions but no food service.
Can you get into Henderson without a reservation if you have an annual pass?
No. Since May 15, 2026 the reservation requirement applies to annual passholders too.
ℹ️ About this page
Facts last verified Nov 4, 2026. We checked this page against public sources and answered everything to the best of our knowledge, but access rules, fees, hours and businesses can change without notice, so confirm anything that matters for your trip. If you find something here that is wrong or out of date, let us know and we will look into it and correct the page.
Flag and surf data update daily.
🔻 Before you go
🚩 Today's beach flags
Current conditions and what they mean.
🌊 Surf and water
Waves, water temp, wind, forecast.
🚗 Beach parking
Free vs paid lots along the coast.
🐕 Dog rules
Okaloosa County rules.
🍽️ Where to eat
Dining near Henderson Beach State Park.
🗓️ Things to do
Activities in and around Henderson Beach State Park.