Henderson Beach State Park: Great Beaching without the Stress

Destin was a sleepy fishing village with amazing beaches and very little development. The beach area has filled in significantly with beautiful homes, good restaurants and so-so shopping over the last 30 years with a single major roadway, US HWY 98, to get everyone, everywhere. In the summer Destin gets crowded. On the roads, on the beach, in restaurants, everywhere … almost.

Normally Tom and I avoid Destin during the summer period between 1 June and 1 September, but we often have family that visits during the summer months so we bite the bullet and try to enjoy a vacation in Destin with them. There are secrets to the area that make these crowded conditions much better.

One is knowing where to enjoy the beautiful sugar white beaches that is the jewel of Destin and we think the very best place is Henderson Beach State Park.

This primo stretch of gorgeous beach is an easy drive from anywhere in Destin. For $6 per car, Henderson Beach not only provides the beautiful, accessible stretch of beach, but plentiful parking, clean bathroom facilities and covered pavilion areas that are a short walk from the beach.