October 28, 2026
Henderson Beach State Park is the nearest state park to Miramar Beach. It sits just west on US 98 (Emerald Coast Parkway) in Destin. It has more than a mile of undeveloped beach, 30-foot dunes, a nature trail and a campground. The big change for 2026 is that you now need a reservation to drive in. Here’s what Florida State Parks says, as of October 28, 2026.
Storm status
Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin on October 9. Florida State Parks’ Storm Updates page, effective October 27, lists only two parks as closed: Blackwater Heritage State Trail and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Henderson Beach isn’t on the list. If you were planning on Topsail Hill, the other state park near Miramar Beach (east of town on 30A), it’s closed for now. Status can change quickly during recovery, so check the Storm Updates page the morning you go, or call the park at 850-837-7550.
Day-use reservations: the new rule
- Since May 15, 2026, every day-use visitor who arrives by vehicle needs an online reservation, including Florida State Parks annual passholders. Book at reserve.floridastateparks.org.
- You can reserve up to 60 days ahead. Same-day reservations are possible until the daily limit fills.
- Each day needs its own reservation. The entry fee is paid online when you book, and there’s no extra reservation fee.
- Bring your receipt (digital or printed). Annual passholders also need to show their pass.
- Planning to leave and come back? Ask the ranger station for a re-entry ticket before you exit. Without one, you can’t get back in.
- Canceled reservations are refundable. No-shows aren’t.
- Pedestrians and cyclists don’t need a reservation. They pay at the gate.
- Registered campers show their camping reservation instead.
The City of Destin gives its own Beach Pass holders a promo code for the reservation system. It works only if the vehicle shows a City of Destin Beach Pass at the gate, so most Miramar Beach visitors will simply pay the standard fee.
Hours and fees
- Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
- Admission: $6 per vehicle (two to eight people); $4 single-occupant vehicle; $2 for pedestrians, cyclists and extra passengers
- Camping: 60 sites at $30 a night plus tax, plus a $6.70 nonrefundable reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee (the utility fee doesn’t apply to tent camping). Reserve up to 11 months ahead.
- Pavilion rental: $80.25 a day plus tax. Daytime pavilion reservations aren’t taken May through September.
- Address: 17000 Emerald Coast Parkway, Destin, FL 32541. Phone 850-837-7550.
What’s inside
The beach. More than a mile of white-sand shoreline backed by tall dunes, and the park calls it the last remaining coastal scrub area in Destin. The six picnic pavilions near the beach boardwalks are the only shade, so bring an umbrella. There are three restroom buildings and cold rinse showers in the day-use area. Beach wheelchairs are available. Ask at the ranger station.
The nature trail. A three-quarter-mile trail winds through shifting dunes and coastal scrub and climbs a high dune built up around the remains of an old military bunker. It’s one of the few places in the park where leashed pets are allowed.
Fishing. Surf anglers go after pompano, redfish, flounder, whiting and sometimes cobia. A fishing license may be required, and there’s no fish-cleaning station.
Wildlife. Look for shorebirds and fall migrants, monarch butterflies most autumns, and dolphins and sea turtles offshore. Gopher tortoises, rabbits and bobcats sometimes show up when the park is quiet.
Bikes. There are no bike trails, but the park has a mile-long paved road. Bikes aren’t allowed on boardwalks.
Parking. The day-use area has 422 spaces, plus 24 RV spaces and 20 ADA spaces.
Rules that differ from the Miramar Beach shoreline
Walton County sets the rules on the public beach in front of Miramar Beach (see our Miramar Beach beach-rules guide). Henderson Beach is a state park in Okaloosa County, and it has its own rules:
- No alcohol anywhere in the day-use area, including the pavilions and the beach
- No glass, fires or animals on the beach. Campfire circles are only in the campground.
- Pets are allowed in parking lots, on the nature trail and on day-use sidewalks, on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet. They aren’t allowed on the beach, in playgrounds or in buildings, and they can’t be left in a vehicle. Service animals are welcome everywhere.
- No body wash or shampoo at the rinse showers
- The playground has been closed for maintenance since March 18, 2025.
Beach flags
Check the warning flags at the welcome station and on the beach. Double red means no swimming. Red means high hazard (the park’s rule of thumb: knee-deep is too deep). Yellow means use caution, green means calm conditions, and purple means marine pests are present.
Quick checklist
- Book your day-use reservation before you leave Miramar Beach, and screenshot the receipt.
- Check the Storm Updates page the same morning.
- Bring shade, and leave the cooler drinks alcohol-free and glass-free.
- Leave the dog at home if you want beach time. Pets can only use the nature trail and paved areas.
- Get a re-entry ticket if you plan to leave for lunch.
Sources: Florida State Parks – Henderson Beach State Park · Henderson Beach – Hours & Fees · Henderson Beach – Experiences & Amenities · Florida State Parks – Henderson Beach day-use reservation FAQ · Florida State Parks – Storm Updates (effective Oct. 27, 2026) · City of Destin – Annual Passes