Henderson Beach State Park has one of
Florida's most prized assets, pristine white, sugar sand beaches
and more than 6,000 feet of scenic shoreline bordering the
emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
In the midst of urban sprawl that now dominates the coastline
of Florida’s panhandle, Henderson Beach State Park is an
unexpected oasis of exquisite natural beauty. Located just east
of Destin, the park’s entrance lies on the Emerald Coast Parkway
(U.S. 98) across the street from a shopping center and a Super
Wal-Mart.
Activities that visitors can enjoy while visiting Henderson
Beach State Park include swimming, surf fishing, picnicking,
camping, bicycle riding, nature trials, family reunions &
weddings, as well as a leisurely walk in the sugar white sand or
in the splash of the emerald green water. For
visitors in wheelchairs, an all-terrain wheelchair is available
to provide access to beach areas.
Full Facility Camping
60 full facility campsites. All the sites can accommodate
either tents or RVs and a number of them are pull-through which
are easily accessible by larger RVs. Each of the camping areas
has a bathhouse with hot water and showers, coin-operated washer
and dryer, and soda machines. Camping at Henderson Beach has its
pluses, given the park's proximity to the city of Destin. Unlike
remote wilderness camping, provisions and restaurants are a
short drive away. Reservations available through Reserve
America.
Fishing
Known as the luckiest fishing village in the world, visitors
wishing to try their luck in the surf may catch popular species
such as pompano, red fish, flounder, catfish, whiting, and
sometimes cobia. Bait & Tackle can be purchased just outside of
the park!
Nature Trails
A three-quarters-of-a-mile nature trail begins in the day use
area. The trail will provide not only a winding tour through the
dunes, but a beautiful vista of the park from atop one of the
dunes. This high dune has developed around the remnants of a
bunker built decades ago when the military was using the area.
Although two of the park's rangers initiated the trail, it has
been built by the Friends of Henderson Beach, the park's
volunteer Citizen Support Organization, and funded primarily by
the neighboring Wal-Mart.
Picnicking
Henderson Beach State Park has both a day use area and a
campground, each of which has its own beach area. The day use
area has two picnic pavilions with grills, picnic tables,
restrooms, and soft drink vending machines. These pavilions
provide the only shade on the sun-drenched beach, unless
visitors bring their own umbrellas.
Showers
Bathhouses with outside showers are also provided.
Swimming
Henderson
Beach State Park is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico where
you will find more than 6,000 feet of scenic shoreline.
Please Use Caution! Visitors to coastal parks are
reminded to pay close attention to the colored flags posted at
welcome stations and on the beaches. These flags indicate the
wave and swimming conditions at the beach. Red means no swimming
because of high winds or undertow currents, yellow means swim
with caution and stay close to shore, blue means that the waters
are safe.
Wildlife
Wildlife is found throughout the park and you will see a variety
of shorebirds, such as Black Skimmers, Sand Pipers, Brown
Pelicans, Least & Caspian Terns and laughing gulls. Snowy
plovers nest in the dune areas, but are not usually seen on the
beaches. Protected sea turtles nest along the beach in the early
summer. Although the turtles typically come ashore to nest only
at night, they can sometimes be seen in the water during the
day.
Closer to the shoreline, communities of sea oats serve as the
first line of defense for the dune system, anchoring the soft
sand, which would otherwise disappear from the eroding forces of
wind and water.
During the late summer and early fall, colorful wildflowers,
such as blanket flower and beach morning glory, add splashes of
color to the sand. In the springtime, the prickly pear cactuses
add their own color with bright yellow blooms.
One of the most beautiful sights while visiting the park is a
breathtaking view of a Dolphin family (porpoise) as they emerge
from the waters for a breath of air, or a group of Rays as they
soar across the shallow waters along the coastline.
