4 Beautiful State Parks Near Destin

Florida’s Emerald Coast is home to some of the nation’s most spectacular natural beauty. When you stay at the Henderson Park Inn in Destin, you can enjoy the Panhandle’s breathtaking scenery at four different state parks. To help you make the most of your next vacation, we have put together a guide to all of the beautiful state parks near Destin.

1. Henderson Beach State Park

The Henderson Park Inn boasts an unparalleled location adjacent to one of the area’s most popular state parks. Henderson Beach State Park is home to over 6,000 feet of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. With sugar white sand and emerald green water, Henderson Beach is absolutely picturesque.

Henderson Beach State Park is the perfect place to enjoy a scenic picnic lunch. Our bed and breakfast provides complimentary sandwiches and salads from the HoneyBaked Ham Company, so you can take your food over to the park and admire the views while you eat. Other fun activities at Henderson Beach include wildlife viewing, hiking the nature trail, swimming, and soaking up the sun.

2. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Topsail Hill Preserve is another one of the wonderful state parks near Destin. Located about 20 minutes from the Henderson Park Inn, Topsail Hill is famous for its majestic sand dunes. Some of the dunes are over 25 feet tall! Topsail Hill Preserve is also home to three rare coastal dune lakes, a 3.2-mile secluded white sand beach, wetlands, and hiking trails. If you would like to take advantage of the beautiful biking paths around Topsail Hill, you can rent a bike free of charge from the Henderson Park Inn.

3. Grayton Beach State Park

Situated about a half hour away from the Henderson Park Inn, Grayton Beach State Park is considered one of the most gorgeous beaches in the country. This 2,000-acre park features a variety of ecosystems, including a coastal forest, a salt marsh, and pine flatwoods. The park’s Western Lake is a great place to go canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding, and Grayton Beach’s miles of trails are wonderful for hiking or bicycling.

4. Eden Gardens State Park

Eden Gardens State Park was once part of a private estate owned by lumber baron William Henry Wesley. Today, visitors to the park can take guided tours of the Wesley House, the park’s two-story 1897 mansion. In addition to the mansion, the park also offers a lovely garden and the scenic Tucker Bayou. Eden Gardens is around 35 minutes from our hotel.

Guests at the Henderson Park Inn will love being close to all of these incredible state parks near Destin. Voted the most romantic hotel in America by both the users of TripAdvisor.com and About.com, our adults only bed and breakfast is the perfect place for a wedding, honeymoon, anniversary, or any special vacation. With a private white sand beach, complimentary breakfast and lunch, balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, and an award-winning onsite restaurant, the Henderson Park Inn has everything you need for an unforgettable escape. To start planning your getaway, view our selection of Destin hotel rooms.