Pristine white sugar sand beaches and more than 6,000 feet of natural scenic shoreline border the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Natural features of the park include sand pines, scrub oaks, and dune rosemary. Boardwalks provide access to the beach for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. Two large pavilions allow for picnicking and grilling. A playground is the first stop on our nature trail and is sure to be a success with the kids. The nature trail provides visitors a rare glimpse of the coastal dune ecosystem and abundant wildlife and is pet friendly. Camping at Henderson Beach State Park provides 60 campsites that are located in our secondary dune system. The sites include water and electric hookups and access to air conditioned and heated bathhouse facilities. A separate beach access boardwalk with outdoor showers and a playground are included in our campground. Henderson Beach is A.D.A accessible and includes beach wheel chair availability. Visitors can enjoy truly breathtaking sunsets while relaxing by the warm crystal clear water of the Gulf of Mexico. The park is located just east of Destin on U.S. 98.

Bird Watchers can enjoy sighting wading birds, shore birds and migratory birds in the spring and fall. Dolphins, sea turtles and other fish species may be sighted off the beach. Small species of some reptiles and other wildlife may also be sighted.

Named for its previous owners, the park was purchased in 1983 from the Henderson family estate and opened to the public on March 29, 1991. This was the first acquisition under the Save Our Coast Program, a land conservation program initiated by Governor Bob Graham in 1981. The Henderson family wanted the land preserved to protect the unique natural features of the area, and to provide the public with an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings.

The initial construction of the park included two picnic pavilions with restrooms, beach access boardwalks, an entrance station and park support facilities. In March of 2000, 30 campsites, a bathhouse, camping area playground, and an additional beach access boardwalk were added to provide visitors with a more unique experience of the park. Demand was so high for overnight accommodations that an additional 30 campsites and a campfire circle/interpretive site were added and opened to the public in March of 2002.

A Vital addition to the park was the development of the Friends of Henderson Beach State Park Citizen Support Organization in March of 2000. The Friends of Henderson Beach State Park are a not-for-profit volunteer organization that provides added volunteer positions and funding that help the park provide additional services and activities to park visitors and the local community.

A beautiful ? mile nature trail was built through this joint-partnership between the ?Friends of Henderson Beach State Park? and the park itself. Using park staff and volunteers to construct the trail, as well as funding provided by donations and membership fees by the CSO, the trail was opened to the public in November of 2001. It now provides visitors with a rare view of some of the last remaining & endangered coastal scrub communities in the Florida panhandle.

Also surrounded by Henderson Beach State Park, The U.S. Air Force maintains a large tracking site known as the Clausen Tracking Site. This site was installed in 1951 to provide national security programs and rocketry testing programs in the United States. Remnants of the original tracking installations can be seen atop the hill adjacent to the Air Force property along the nature trail. Today a larger version of this tracking system provides a landmark for visitors throughout the park.

Annual Entrance Passes can be purchased at all park ranger stations and museums. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Please call the park in advance to ensure availability. Those who are eligible for discounted or free passes may use this method to receive their pass. Annual Entrance Passes may be purchased online by visiting the FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES web page.

Park t-shirts, hats, ice, beach umbrellas, boogie boards, and sun block may be purchased at the entrance station to the park. Drinks may be purchased from our vending machines.

The park has 60 outstanding campsites that can accommodate either tents or RVs, with a mixture of back in and pull through sites. The sites have water, electricity (some 50 amp); picnic tables ground grills, and clothesline posts. Heated and air conditioned bathhouses have showers, coin operated washers, dryers, and vending machines. Unlike remote wilderness camping, provisions and restaurants are a short drive away. Staying overnight in the park, you will experience the sweet smells and nighttime melodies of the Real Florida.