Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park is the answer to anyone who wonders what Destin looked like before the high-rises. The park protects a stretch of Gulf shoreline between Destin and Miramar Beach, with sand dunes, scrub and coastal pine behind a white beach that glows against the green water. Boardwalks cross the dunes to the shoreline, picnic pavilions sit in the shade, and the beach itself is wide and uncrowded by Destin standards. It is a state park, so the atmosphere is natural, tidy and quiet, with lifeguard-free swimming, walking trails and plenty of space to spread out. The beach is the star. The sand here is fine and white, made of quartz washed down from the Appalachians, and it squeaks underfoot. The water shades from pale turquoise in the shallows to deep emerald farther out, and on clear days the contrast is striking. Behind the beach, the dune system supports sea oats, wildflowers and wildlife, and the boardwalks and trails let you see it without damaging it. A small campground within the park also gives visitors a rare chance to sleep close to the Gulf.

Know the practicalities. Parks of this kind charge an entrance fee per vehicle, and on busy summer days the lot can fill, so arrive early to be sure of a space. Facilities include restrooms, showers and picnic areas, but there are no large commercial concessions on the sand, so bring your own water, food, shade and sunscreen.

Beach umbrellas and tents are useful, and so are trash bags, since the park asks visitors to take out what they bring in. Check the park's rules on pets, alcohol, glass and drones before you go, as they are strict in many state parks.

Think about the season. Summer is hot, busy and the best time for swimming, with morning the calmest. Spring and autumn offer warm, comfortable days and fewer people, and winter is cool and quiet, ideal for walking and photography rather than swimming. Be careful with the surf, because rip currents occur on the Gulf, and swimmers should heed flag warnings and conditions. Sun and heat are the main hazards, so drink plenty of water and cover up during midday.

Treat the dunes with care. The dune system is fragile, and walking on dunes damages the plants that hold the sand in place. Stay on the boardwalks and marked paths, avoid picking sea oats and keep dogs where rules allow. If you visit for sunrise or late afternoon, you will find the best light and the most wildlife, including shorebirds.

Pair a morning at Henderson Beach with an afternoon boat trip or lunch at the harbor for a balanced day. For visitors who have only seen Destin from the highway, this park is a revelation, and it is the best answer to the question of where to put your towel.

Sunrise and the hour before sunset are the best times for photographs, when the dunes throw long shadows and the water turns green and gold. Birders should look for shorebirds along the waterline and, in the right seasons, migrating species in the dune scrub. If you plan to swim, bring a flotation device for small children, and set up near the posted access points. Carry out all trash and stay off the dunes, and you will help keep the park looking the way it does.