Emerald Coast beach park fees: Gulf Islands, Henderson, Grayton and St. Andrews
Entering a beach park on the Emerald Coast costs $5 to $8 per carload at the three Florida state parks and $25 per vehicle at Gulf Islands National Seashore, as of Oct. 27, 2026. The state park fees cover one day, while the Gulf Islands National Seashore fee covers one to seven days. Walkers and cyclists pay $2 at the state parks.
The four parks covered here are Henderson Beach State Park in Destin (Okaloosa County), Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County), St. Andrews State Park (Bay County) and the fee areas of Gulf Islands National Seashore in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.
How much does it cost to enter beach parks on the Emerald Coast?
Entrance fees for the main beach parks on the Emerald Coast, as of Oct. 27, 2026, per the National Park Service and Florida State Parks:
| Park | County | Vehicle (2 to 8 people) | Single-occupant vehicle | Walk-in or bicycle | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson Beach State Park | Okaloosa | $6 | $4 | $2 | 8 a.m. to sundown |
| Grayton Beach State Park | Walton | $5 | $4 | $2 | 8 a.m. to sundown |
| St. Andrews State Park | Bay | $8 | $4 | $2 | 8 a.m. to sundown |
| Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Area and Opal Beach | Okaloosa, Santa Rosa | $25 (valid 1 to 7 days) | $25 | $15 per person (1 to 7 days) | Okaloosa Area: 8 a.m. to sunset |
A visitor who drives one carload into all four parks in the same week pays $44 in entrance fees, a total based on the fees above ($25 + $6 + $5 + $8).
What does a Gulf Islands National Seashore pass cost?
A Gulf Islands National Seashore entrance pass costs $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle or $15 per person on foot or bicycle, and each is valid for one to seven days, according to the National Park Service entrance fee page as of Oct. 27, 2026. A Gulf Islands National Seashore annual pass costs $45.
Gulf Islands National Seashore charges entrance fees at four areas:
- Okaloosa Area, on Okaloosa Island.
- Opal Beach, in the Santa Rosa Area.
- Fort Pickens.
- Perdido Key.
The National Park Service does not list a surcharge for nonresidents at Gulf Islands National Seashore.
What are the rules at the Okaloosa Day Use Area?
The Okaloosa Day Use Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, on Okaloosa Island about 3.5 miles west of Destin, is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, according to the National Park Service. Its main rules:
- No overnight parking.
- No pets.
- The fee is paid at the fee box or online.
- A small-craft launch gives access to Choctawhatchee Bay.
The Okaloosa Day Use Area phone number is 850-934-2600.
Which Emerald Coast state parks have camping or a boat ramp?
Henderson Beach State Park in Destin offers camping at $30 per night plus fees, according to Florida State Parks as of Oct. 27, 2026.
St. Andrews State Park in Bay County has a boat ramp that costs $12 for one person or $16 for two to eight people, according to Florida State Parks as of Oct. 27, 2026.
How to contact Emerald Coast beach parks
| Park | Phone |
|---|---|
| Henderson Beach State Park | 850-837-7550 |
| Grayton Beach State Park | 850-267-8300 |
| Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Day Use Area | 850-934-2600 |
Florida State Parks and the National Park Service set these fees and can change them, so check the park’s fee page before you go.
More Outdoors & Recreation guides and local services ›
Live in the Emerald Coast? Write for us as a Community Contributor and share what you see in your town.
Questions and answers
- How much is it to get into Henderson Beach State Park in Destin?
- $6 per vehicle with two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for walk-ins or cyclists, as of Oct. 27, 2026, per Florida State Parks.
- How much does Gulf Islands National Seashore cost in 2026?
- $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle or $15 per person, each valid for one to seven days, per the National Park Service. An annual Gulf Islands National Seashore pass costs $45.
- Can I bring my dog to the Okaloosa Day Use Area?
- No. Pets are not allowed at the Okaloosa Day Use Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore, according to the National Park Service.
- What time do Florida state parks on the Emerald Coast open?
- Henderson Beach, Grayton Beach and St. Andrews state parks are open from 8 a.m. to sundown, according to Florida State Parks.
- Which Emerald Coast beach park is the cheapest?
- Grayton Beach State Park in Walton County has the lowest carload fee, $5 for a vehicle with two to eight people, as of Oct. 27, 2026, per Florida State Parks.