Featuring miles of sugar-sand beaches, dunes and stands of wild sea oats, the beaches of Destin, Florida, are irresistible. The Destin Area Chamber of Commerce bills this stretch of beach along Florida's Emerald Coast as "the most inviting spot along Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast." Campgrounds, both state and private, pepper the area and offer a bevy of activities geared to a healthy lifestyle.
State Park Campgrounds
Campers do not have to wander far in the Destin area before spotting a state park. Top Sail Hill Preserve, Grayton Beach, Henderson Beach and Rocky Bayou offer campgrounds and top-notch physical activities for all ages and levels of fitness. Besides the pristine Gulf of Mexico beach at Grayton Beach State Park, guests will also find opportunities for canoeing and kayaking in Western Lake, which rests in the center of this award-winning park, ranked by America's Best as one of the 10 best beaches in Florida.
Private Campgrounds
Several private campgrounds can be found while driving along Walton County's Highway 98. Many offer direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, and some even offer gulf-front camping. The wee ones need a dose of daily exercise too, so check out the bike brigade parades, three-legged races, playgrounds and other activities planned with the under-10 set in mind. One private park has a casting lake for the fisherman in the family to hone his skills and offers fitness equipment if the weather limits outdoor activities.
Swimming
According to the National Weather Service, Destin sports more than 300 days of sunshine a year, which is prime weather for swimming enthusiasts who stay at the campgrounds at Grayton, Topsail Hill and Henderson beaches. The Gulf of Mexico's waters can often support a surfboard, and Henderson Beach is A.D.A accessible. Additionally, many area campgrounds have swimming pools.
Bicycling and Hiking
Hiking and biking trails range from a three-quarter-mile, pet-friendly nature trail that meanders through shifting sand dunes and coastal scrub at Henderson Beach to a four-mile-long combination trail that supports hikers and bicyclers alike at Grayton Beach's campground. As an added plus, it connects to the newly completed 10-mile-long bicycling/hiking trail along Scenic Highway 30-A.
Fishing
Casting in the surf or bank fishing at a coastal dune lake gives a dedicated angler an intense workout. Beachside public and private campgrounds offer fishermen the opportunity to drop a line in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Rocky Bayou's campground surrounds Puddin Head Lake, which gives campers the chance to fill a creel with panfish. Other parks offer fishing in designated areas, and it is advisable to check with the park ranger or manager before setting out.
Costs
Daily admission fees for Florida state parks range from $1 to $10, as of 2010. All Destin-area state campground sites offer water and electric and range in price from $16 a night at Rocky Bayou to $30 per night at Henderson and Grayton Beach. Topsail Hill's campsites also have cable connections and sewer hookups and cost $42 a night, while primitive tent sites at this popular campground are $24 per night. Reservations can be made online through the Florida State Parks website.
Private parks with similar amenities are more expensive and range from $45 to $160 a night. Many private parks also offer online registration.
Considerations
All parks allow pets, but they must be leashed and are not permitted on the beach.
Large RVs--over 35 feet--may be prohibited at some parks.
Anglers need a Florida fishing license if they plan to fish, and vacationers from out-of-state have a variety of license options. Freshwater or saltwater year-round licenses are $47 a piece; a three-day license costs $17, while a seven-day license is $30.
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