Experiences & Amenities

The park does not have any bicycle trails or paths, however many of our campers enjoy bicycling along the park's mile-long paved road. You may also enter the park by bicycle and enjoy a ride to the beach. 

• Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.  
• To preserve the natural areas of the park, bicycles are limited to paved roadways and are not permitted on boardwalks.

The park has 60 campsites that can accommodate either tents or RVs, with a mixture of back-in and pull-through sites. The sites have water, electricity (all sites have both 30 and 50-amp service except campsites #28 and #29); picnic tables, ground grills and clothesline posts.

Campsites do not have sewer connections; a centrally located dump station is provided for proper disposal of waste. Amenities include heated and air-conditioned restrooms with showers, coin operated washers, dryers and vending machines. Pets are welcome at campsites.

Unlike remote wilderness camping, provisions and restaurants are a short drive away. The nearby three-quarter mile nature trail meanders through ancient but still growing and shifting dunes with vegetation known as coastal scrub. The trail provides a vista of the park, and in some places, the Gulf of America.

• Maximum RV length = 60 feet.
• Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.

Destin is 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.

Fish cleaning stations are not available. Bait and tackle can be purchased just outside of the park.

• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.

The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed.

• Operation Recreation GeoTour 

The three-quarter mile pet-friendly trail meanders through ancient but still growing and shifting dunes and unique vegetation know as coastal scrub. The trail provides a beautiful vista of the park from atop one of the dunes. This high dune has developed around the remnants of a bunker that was built decades ago when the military was using the area.

• The trail was built by park staff and volunteers and funded by the Friends of Emerald Coast State Parks and the neighboring Wal-Mart.
• Guided tours are available upon request.

The day use area has six pavilions with barbecue grills, picnic tables and three restroom facilities. These pavilions provide the only shade on the sun-drenched beach, unless visitors bring their own umbrellas.

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

The beach at Henderson Beach State Park stretches more than a mile along a white sugar sand natural scenic shoreline. The emerald green waters of the Gulf of America are perfect for a swim.

Visitors to coastal parks are reminded to pay close attention to the Warning Flag Signs posted at welcome stations and on the beaches. These flags indicate the swimming conditions at the beach:

• Double red flags mean absolutely no swimming because of high winds and undertow currents
• Red flag means high hazards, such as high surf and/or strong currents, swim at your own risk. Knee deep is too deep.
• Yellow flag means swim with caution and stay close to shore
• Green flag means that the waters are safe
• Purple flag means that marine pests are present.

Bird-watchers can enjoy sighting wading birds and shorebirds as well as migratory birds in the spring and fall. Migrating monarch butterflies visit the park most years in the fall as well.

Dolphins, sea turtles and fish species may be sighted off the beach, and small reptile species are frequently seen in the nature trail area. 

The park is also home to rabbits, bobcats and gopher tortoises that may be seen occasionally when the park is quiet.