Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park keeps more than a mile of natural Gulf shoreline in Destin, reached by boardwalks over the dunes, with white sand and green water for long swims parallel to shore. Cold rinse showers sit next to the day-use restrooms. Since May 2026 every visitor needs an online day-use reservation, so book before you drive over.

Directions

Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0

Get your personalized SwimScore

Latest reading · SwimScore 86/100 (Get in) for a typical swimmer: air 32°C, wind 11 km/h, waves 0.2 m, UV 4. Updated 23 Sept, 22:00 UTC.

Know before you go

Getting in: 17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin; entry $6 per vehicle; open 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. Since May 15, 2026 all entries require an online day-use reservation (up to 60 days ahead); City of Destin beach pass holders can use promo code DESTINPASS but must show the pass at the gate.
Parking & transport: 422 day-use spaces, plus 24 RV and 20 ADA spaces.
Water quality: Florida Department of Health Healthy Beaches Program samples the 'Henderson Park Beach' site for enterococci bacteria every 1–2 weeks depending on county (Good 0–35, Moderate 36–70, Poor 71+ per 100 mL); an advisory is issued when a sample and its resample both exceed 70.
Season: Open year-round.
Watch for: Beach warning flags: double red means no swimming; on a red flag the park says knee deep is too deep
Purple flag means marine pests are present
Facilities: Day-use restrooms · Outdoor cold showers (no soap or shampoo) · Four large and two small picnic pavilions with grills · Beach wheelchairs · Playground and nature trail

Sources: floridastateparks.org, floridastateparks.org, cityofdestin.com, floridahealth.gov, fdoh.maps.arcgis.com