Okaloosa County · Destin · Florida
Welcome to Henderson Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park is Destin's pristine 208-acre Gulf-front state park — six miles east of Destin Harbor with a mile of undeveloped white beach, boardwalks, a nature trail, and some of the cleanest, emptiest sand on the Emerald Coast. A small entrance fee gives you restrooms, showers and a beautiful, protected beach.
🔻 Quick links
🚩 Today's beach flags
Current flag + what it means for swimmers.
🌊 Surf & water
Waves, water temp, wind, forecast.
🐕 Dog-friendly info
Dog rules for this area.
♿ Accessible access
Beach wheelchairs, mats, parking.
📚 Beach rules
Local rules for the beach.
🧠 Facts & local info
What makes this place special.
📌 Beach access:
- Beach access: the park's beach entrance leads to a wide, clean stretch of Gulf beach with boardwalk and pavilions (park entrance fee required).
- Accessible: accessible boardwalk and beach wheelchairs available at the park; a great pick for accessible access.
- Flags & safety: lifeguards + flags during peak season; check today's flags — beach can have stronger surf than the bay side.
- Parking: spacious on-site paved lot with the entrance fee; much better than downtown Destin parking.
- Things to do: swim and boardwalk, hike the 0.4-mile june-tall nature trail through coastal scrub, picnic, and enjoy a far less crowded alternative to Destin's packed accesses.
- Good to know: one of Florida's top-rated Gulf beaches; fee is per-vehicle and the park is managed by Florida State Parks.
- 🍽 Where to eat: Miramar Beach's gulf-front restaurants are a short drive.
- 🛏 Where to stay: Henderson / Miramar condos and Destin-area rentals — the classic Emerald Coast stay.