We cant guarantee that you will find a fountain of youth, but there are plenty of beautifully blue springs to take a dip in. Florida Northwest Region Henderson Beach State Park Manatee stateparks.com Manatee mother and her young show scars from boat propellers Mockingbird stateparks.com HENDERSON BEACH STATE PARK HENDERSON BEACH STATE PARK 17000 Emerald Coast Parkway Destin, Florida 32541 Phone: 850-837-7550 Reservations: 850-650-5928 Swimming. There is plenty to do at Eden Gardens State Park for those looking for a break from the beach. Camp Helen is bordered on three sides by the Gulf and Lake Powell. Even though youll enjoy lovely beaches for swimming and fishing, you also have opportunities to surf, fish, hike, snorkel, boat, and more. The park features a waterfront deck area with: There is an on-site parking area with limited disabled parking slots. The best part? For the non-fishers, the park offers plenty of other activities, from hiking, biking, and canoeing to wildlife watching. You can spend a month here and wont get bored. Milton, FL The Wandering Path is located 20 minutes north of downtown Milton FL, with 2000 feet of water frontage alongside the beautiful Coldwater Creek. The trail was started by park staff and finished by The Friends of Henderson Beach, the park's volunteer Citizen Support Organization, funded primarily by the neighboring Wal-Mart. The park offers isolated and secluded spots to relax and reminisce with family or in solitude. Swim, sun, beachcomb for sea beans and watch shorebirds along 3.2 miles of quiet, white quartz sand beaches with the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapping on the shore. With so much accommodation and things to do, its easy to see why this park is so popular. Recommended. The property now preserves beautiful old?growth long leaf pine trees, several over 300 years old, that once dominated this area of Florida. Which places provide the best nature & parks in Destin for couples? 357 Main Park Road. Destin, FL 32541 Phone: 850.837.7550 www.floridastateparks.org Henderson Beach State Park features pristine white sand beaches and more than 6,000 feet of natural scenic shoreline that borders the Gulf of Mexico. Highly recommend them! Grayton Beach State Park | Florida State Parks Rocky Bayou State Park is located near Destin, Fort Walton Beach and Mary Esther. His passion for the park brings a genuine sense of pride and care in all the work that he does. FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES, The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. Golden in the morning sun, silvered by moonlight, Grayton Beach has consistently been ranked among the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the United States. Learn more about Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park here. There is a parking area available on-site with access to toilet facilities. Look here for your next adventure for hiking, swimming or snorkeling, paddling, picnicking or other outdoor activities. Address: 711 Hickory Street, Destin, FL 32541, Disabled-Friendly: No information available, Local Events/Activities: No information available. There is a nice size covered area with a couple of tables. Another plus? Three rare coastal dune lakes provide excellent freshwater fishing. This beautiful piece of architectural history is surrounded by moss-draped live oaks, providing lots of shade for those hot Florida days. Sitting by the water, it felt about ten degrees cooler. The pristine beaches of this 185-acre park make for unforgettable beach days. Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 140 South Atlantic Avenue, Suite 500 Ormond Beach, FL 32176 (386) 255-0415 | (800) 854-1234 People come from all parts of the country to soak in the sun. Would you recommend Destin and are there condos on the beach where we could walk to different shops/restaurants and have some other things to do at night without having to rent a car? Destin Beach Camping | Okaloosa Island RV Camping | Parks Southern magnolias, golden asters, woody goldenrod, and scrub oaks can be seen in this rare coastal dune habitat. A tram running every 2 hours starting at 9 AM will take you to the beach or if you choose you can walk or bike a half-mile along the path to the beach. Springs in Northwest, Florida - Hidden Gems Near Destin These experiences are best for nature & parks in Destin: These places are best for nature & parks in Destin: These are the best places for kid-friendly nature & parks in Destin: These are the best places for couples seeking nature & parks in Destin: These are the best places for groups seeking nature & parks in Destin: These are the best places for budget-friendly nature & parks in Destin: These are the most romantic places for nature & parks in Destin: Note that forum content are individual perspectives of forum posters and not the opinion of Tripadvisor, Beautiful nature trail loop with informative placards and a nice, The beautiful atmosphere and kind people made this area so easily accessible and, This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher, a variety of colorful fish, hermit crabs, and even a sea anemone or two if you explore in between the, We really enjoyed the atmosphere and watching the. Guided trail tours are available upon request. Located on the Choctawhatchee Bay, across the bridge from Destin, Florida, camping and RV park. Address: 724 Legion Dr, Destin, FL 32541, United States, Bicycle Rules: Bicycles on Roads and Fairways only. The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. The property is surrounded by moss-draped live oaks and ornamental gardens, the Wesley House inspires visions of hoop skirts and landed gentry. Book experiences such as the zip line and animal encounters in advance. Count on us to provide you with the perfect activity for the whole family. 19 Nearest Beaches to Davenport, FL (Complete List), 11 Gorgeous Sandy Beaches near Englewood, FL, 9 Gorgeous State Parks near Naples, FL (+ Map), 14 Incredible State Parks near Clearwater, FL (+ Map), 15 Amazing State Parks near Gainesville, FL (+ Map), 11 Fantastic State Parks near Jacksonville, FL (+ Map), 11 Best Recreational Lakes near Tallahassee, FL, 10 Incredible Recreational Lakes near Jacksonville, FL, 14 Incredible State Parks near Tallahassee, FL (+ Map), 11 Incredible Recreational Lakes near Gainesville, FL, 9 Gorgeous Beaches near Port St. Lucie, FL, 8 Amazing Beaches near New Port Richey, FL. Enjoy fish water fishing on one of our coastal dune lakes. The park offers enough guidance through its informational signposts. For visitors in wheelchairs, an all-terrain beach wheelchair is available to provide access to beach areas. Big Lagoon State Parkis a fun waterfront park near Pensacola. We offer the best places for family-friendly fun. Ponce de Leon Springs State Park | Florida State Parks The park features: The tennis courts also serve as venues for Pickleball sports. It is the ideal choice for sunbathers and swimmers. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Home Find a Park Deer Lake State Park A rare coastal dune lake, lush landscape and pristine beach Hours 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Fees Please use the honor box; correct change is required. For your child?s safety please insure that adult supervision is provided at all times. From 285 get onto I10 and travel about 25 miles east to FL 81 toward Ponce de Leon. Explore and embrace history at the Wesleys Estate at Eden Gardens or a former company retreat at Camp Helen State Park. mile pet friendly trail meanders though ancient but still growing and shifting dunes and unique vegetation know as (Coastal Scrub). Stay at our luxury resort in South Walton, FL and experience first class amenities. Unique plants such as gulf coast lupine, spoonflower, pitcher plants, and Curtiss sand grass are found in Deer Lake State Park. Situated right on the beachfront, amidst the gorgeous white sand, this campground offers the ultimate coastal camping in Destin, FL, whether you are looking for a casual family camping trip, planning a special occasion, such as a wedding or a reunion, or you are on a romantic getaway . Florida State Parks - Florida State Parks Reservation System Its one of the nearest springs to the Alabama border and can be easily accessed from I-10. Staff at Deer Lake State Park joined with the Atlanta Botanical Garden to restore wet prairies and seepage slopes where endangered pitcher plants can grow. 34850 Emerald Coast Pkwy, FL 32541-3437. This parkhas one of the most accessible waterfalls in the state. A few fan favorites include SUP, hiking, birding, and wildlife viewing. Which places provide the best nature & parks in Destin for kids and families? Hiking is another popular attraction within the park as well as freshwater and saltwater fishing. Sort By. On land, there are several nature trails teeming with wildlife and with plenty of shade. 10 Florida Alligator Parks You Won't Want to Miss The state park is a paradise with pristine sugar-sand beaches and a unique coastal dune lake surrounded by wilderness. A little further, check into an RV resort at Panama City Beach and enjoy water sports along the Grand Lagoon. Overnight docking is not permitted, and all boaters must pay entrance fees to access the park. Annual Entrance Passes may be purchased online by visiting the. The park is sought-after for its scenic greenery, shady oak tree settings, and sunny grass landscapes. Apart from swimming, Blackwater River is a popular tubing spot and a designated canoe trail. The park, reportedly maintained by the Destin Little League, provides ample parking space for up to 50 cars and access to on-site toilet facilities. The biggest draw here is the 6.5-mile nature trail that winds its way through the pristine forest and past the bay beaches. Unfortunately, the park doesnt offer rentals, so youll have to bring your own tubes. There is ample parking space for up to 175 cars. The park has a campsite nearby with about 60 campsites to rent, offering unforgettable vacation stays with hi-tech amenities. Lakes, pristine beaches, old-growth long leaf pines, sand pine scrub, and a variety of wetlands offer a bird-watching and hiking paradise. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park has excellent trails, beaches, and lakes to view wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. There is a roughly half-mile nature trail that winds between high sand dunes with wildlife and trees, shrubs, grasses that we enjoyed. Florida State Parks - List of FL State Parks and Park Guide The river is one of the purest sand bottom rivers in the country, making this location a popular place for swimming, fishing, camping, and paddling. The beach is ADA compliant and hence, easily accessible to the disabled. Discover the best ranch RV campgrounds near Destin, Florida Blackwater River State Park, a Florida State Park located near Destin beach vs. Treasure Island/St. Kids can enjoy playing on the swings. Deer Lake State Park | Florida State Parks Naturally, swimming and sunbathing are the most common activities here, but the park is only open during the day, and there are no campgrounds or cabins. FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES, The Inn at Crystal Beach by Salt Water Vacations. Hontoon Island State Park. Old-growth pine forests sit atop grassy white sand dunes, with the emerald glowing waters in stark contrast. The best part? At sunset, visitors can enjoy Dolphin sightings in the harbor. Kayak on the calm costal waters of Western Lake in Grayton Beach. Niceville, FL 32578. Lifeguards are not available. The park is an excellent spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers. A double lane boat ramp makes this one of the best boat launching locations on the bay, where both freshwater and saltwater fish are found. Always beautiful and so much to do! Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Very limited parking spots (4-5) so you might need to park on the street or get dropped off. Check out what Destin has to offer! Make sure to contact us for all of your boat and jet ski rental needs in between visits to some of the best state parks near Destin!