| If you have loved Henderson Beach State Park in the | | | | 98 to Panera Bread where they have free wi-fi, good |
| past, the good news is that you will continue to love | | | | coffee and good food. In the same area (Destin |
| the level sites, clean restrooms, relaxing atmosphere | | | | Commons) there is a wide variety of shopping and a |
| and the short walk to a beautiful beach. The bad | | | | movie theatre. Need that Wal-Mart fix? It is |
| news is that if you were used to paying $22 per | | | | across the street and so is my favorite store, the |
| night, it is now $30. I think a bargain to be in the | | | | Dollar Tree. |
| heart of Destin. | | | | The State of Florida, like many states is suffering |
| In real estate they say; location, location, location. | | | | from a financial strain. For that reason you will find |
| Henderson Beach State Park provides the feeling of | | | | that all of the state parks have raised their rates. |
| isolation and the proximity of center city living. | | | | The alternative was to close a large number of them, |
| Restaurants and entertainment galore are literally five | | | | but with the raise I was advised by a state official in |
| minutes away. Fudpucker's; Landry's; Back Porch; | | | | Tallahassee that Florida did not close any state parks. |
| Crab Trap; Old Bay Steamer; Captain Dave's; AJ's | | | | Henderson Beach State Park has sixty sites. All |
| Seafood and Oyster Bar; are just a few of the | | | | sites have electricity and water. There are by my |
| restaurants that are easily reached from Henderson | | | | count 18 pull through sites and others that will |
| Beach State Park. (Okay I fudged a little on Old | | | | accommodate larger rigs. There is a heated and air |
| Bay Steamer which is actually located on Okaloosa | | | | conditioned bath house and restroom for each 30 |
| Island, a twenty to thirty minute drive, but I've found | | | | sites. Over the years our experience has been that |
| it always worth the ride if you like steamed | | | | this is an adequate number. The dump site is |
| seafood. Small RVs can find parking behind the | | | | located on the road exiting the park. |
| restaurant if arriving early.) | | | | Pet are allowed with the normal restrictions. If your |
| If you want the quiet and relaxation of gentle | | | | pet likes to boogie board, you'll have to find |
| emerald waves breaking on glistening white sand, well | | | | somewhere else to do that. Pets are not allowed |
| a short walk to the beach and you have all of that. | | | | on the beach or in public facilities and must be kept |
| Even better is that you will have the Gulf in front of | | | | on a leash. |
| you and tall sand dunes behind. No multi-story | | | | There are generally two people at the small check in |
| condos along Henderson Beach. | | | | building and they have been uniformly friendly and |
| For those of you who just need to check that e-mail | | | | helpful. Camp hosts are on site for any problem you |
| every day, I suggest a short drive east on highway | | | | may encounter. |