The Perks of a Coastal State Park Experience

If you enjoy the beach, but not the crowds, often a coastal state park might be a good fit for you.  Folks tend to not want to pay an entrance fee for a park when they are able to access the beach for free elsewhere.  However, the price for greater seclusion and the beauty of a well-preserved and protected coast may be well worth it.  Henderson Beach State Park is one of those such places.  Located on the Emerald Coast of Destin, it features private access to about 1.14 miles of sugary white sand beach with up to 30-foot sand dunes as its backdrop.  It includes activities such as biking, camping, shoreline fishing, geo-seeking, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing and of course swimming in the pristine emerald green waters of the Gulf.  The entrance fee is $6.00 per vehicle at the time of this posting.  In this commentary, I want to highlight the .75-mile hiking trail that takes you on an immersive experience through the dunes and a coastal scrub nature adventure.  With all the Florida coastal development and necessary protections put in place to preserve the last remaining dune ecosystems, going on dunes in Florida is most often off limits.  Henderson Beach State Park gives you one of the rare opportunities to explore the facets of a dune and scrub habitat and even stand atop a dune with stunning views of the Emerald Coastline.  The trail is considered an easy to moderate hike with clearly defined soft sandy paths.  The moderate rating is due to the potential of shifting sand and the uphill climbs of the dunes that can be steep in some areas.  Though there is minimal shade found on the trail, you can take refuge from the sun under the myrtle oaks, sand live oaks, and towering Choctawhatchee sand pines you will find on your journey.  There are occasional benches along the way, so be sure to stop and rest as needed.  Throughout the trail you will also find various species of sea oats and beach grass.  The textures of foliage and vegetation seen here is a feast for the eyes.  But you won’t just find greenery here.  There is also a variety of flowering plants to add splashes of color to your hiking adventure.  Wildlife sightings of various birds, gopher tortoises and rabbits are possible during various times of the year.  If you are a nature lover, hiker, or state park enthusiast, you will want to add Henderson Beach State Park to your bucket list.  While the trail maybe short, it is another unique way to enjoy the Emerald Coast and appreciate the diversity of Florida’s natural environment.  I found it to be a memorable experience followed by the reward of a cool refreshing swim by a minimally occupied beach.  To me, that type of serenity is was worth the $6.00.

Henderson Beach State Park

17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541