Cheap Destin Beach Vacation

Looking for a cheap Destin beach vacation? If so, I think you'll like what you're about to read.

In case you don't know, Destin is on Florida's Emerald Coast--that beautiful stretch of beach along the Panhandle's shores where the water is--more often than not--a mesmerizing emerald green.

Florida, as you may know, has several different kinds of beaches--the sandy strands of the Palm Beaches with their clear, blue-green waters, north Florida's great Atlantic beaches, the Big Bend's largely empty coastline, the Everglades' wild mangrove-lined Gulf shores, and more. I've spent my fair share of time on all these, and I can say from experience that each type of shoreline, in its own way, is special.

What makes the Emerald Coast's beaches special is their clean, sugar-white quartz sand that actually squeaks under your feet as you walk, and their fairly clear emerald-green waters.

No wonder Destin is a popular beach vacation spot, especially in the warmer months when water temperatures are more enjoyable.

So, how'd you like a relaxing good time enjoying these Gulf shores all for a very low cost? If so, you need to know about HendersonBeach State Park.

Located right in Destin, the Park offers more than a mile of sugar-sand beach and those famous emerald waters.The park has 60 full-facility campsites arranged in two pairs of loops at the park's east end. You can stay here and enjoy this beach all for the relatively low cost of a campsite.

Both RV and tent camping are allowed. If you're tent camping, see if you can get a site with some shade for increased comfort during the sunny hours. If you can't get a shady site, I suppose you could just make up your mind to enjoy the Florida sunshine knowing there are folks in northern, often-overcast and chilly places such as Seattle and London who'd give a pretty penny to trade places with you.

The campgrounds are separated from the park's day-use areas by three-quarters of a mile of sandy beach. The public parking lot is located at the park's west end, while the camping facilities are reached by driving more than a half-mile down a paved road to the east.

The beach is about 300 yards from the campgrounds, and is reached by a paved trail and about a 250 yard wooden boardwalk over the dunes.

Fresh-water showers are available along the path to the beach.

Washrooms with hot showers are available for campers. Another convenience are the on-site laundry facilities.

For a fun morning or afternoon trip, go snorkeling at the Destin Jetties,only about three miles to the west.

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