Florida State Parks 75th Anniversary Logo
Henderson Beach, named for its previous owners, was purchased in 1983 under the Save Our Coast Program. The park opened to the public March 29, 1991. The annual migration of the Gulf Fritillary occurs butterfly in October. An old salt pruned sand pine is part of the scrub community. Some sand pines in the park are more than 100 years old. The park boasts two picnic pavilions with restrooms and three beach access boardwalks.
Henderson Beach State Park
Our park consists of 220 acres, more than one and a quarter mile of beach, three natural communities and 60 camp sites.
Day use area, 1994. Day Use Area
Dune area, 1994. Dunes
Beach area prior to 1995. Beach
View of the nature trail. Nature Trail
Sunset at Henderson Beach State Park. Beach Sunset

History and Culture

The park was purchased in 1983 from the Henderson family estate and opened to the public in March 1991. This was the first acquisition under the land conservation program initiated by Governor Bob Graham, Save Our Coast. The family wanted to protect the area's natural features and let the public enjoy the surroundings. Initial construction included two picnic pavilions, restrooms, beach access boardwalks, an entrance station and support facilities. In March 2000, 30 campsites, a bathhouse, camping area, playground and additional beach access boardwalk were added. A beautiful three-quarter mile nature trail was built through a partnership between the Friends of Henderson Beach State Park and the park which provides visitors with a rare view of some of the last remaining coastal scrub communities in Florida's panhandle.

Day use area, 1994.

Day Use Area

This view captures the beach and dune area prior to Hurricane Opal in 1994. The beach provides favorable swimming conditions and has been a popular area with local residents for many years.

Dune area, 1994.

Dunes

The park contains examples of a once prominent coastal dune system that existed in the panhandle before Florida's coastal development boom. The beach dune community extends from the gentle undulating foredunes near the Gulf waters to higher, mobile and larger dunes that can reach a height of 30 feet.

Beach area prior to 1995.

Beach

The shoreline at Henderson Beach has been shaped by wave action, winds and long shore currents of the Gulf of Mexico. The naturally white quartz sand is bleached from the action of water and sun. Sparkling sand blended with the emerald-colored water makes Henderson Beach State Park a perfect place to spend a day at the beach.

View of the nature trail.

Nature Trail

A beautiful three-quarter mile nature trail now provides visitors with a rare view of some of the last remaining and endangered coastal scrub communities in the Florida panhandle. This trail meanders through ancient but still growing and shifting dunes. Significant plants, some rare and others largely endemic to the panhandle grow in this area. At the top of the trail are remnants of the United States Air Force Clausen tracking site installed in 1951.

Sunset at Henderson Beach State Park.

Beach Sunset

Sunset is an idyllic time at the park. Many families come here to unwind and have pictures taken to remember their vacation on the Emerald Coast.