Vacation Rentals Real Estate Events Magazine DestinFM News Book Activities Things To Do Sign In

Public Parks in Destin, Florida

Section Image

1. Mattie M. Kellie Park

Contact Details

Address: 825 Beach Dr, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-837-4242


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: Yes

Fishing Dock: Yes

Swimming: Yes

Lifeguard Support: No

On-site Toilet facility: No

Waste Receptacles: Yes

Disabled-Friendly: Not sure


Park Rules

Pets allowed: No

Admission: Free

Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk


Local Events/Activities: 

Music concerts by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation 

Earth Day Beach Clean Up on Saturday, April 24th, 2021, between 8 AM and 10 AM 


Spanning across a lavish 10 acres of picturesque beauty to the west of Destin, Florida, is the Mattie M. Kelly Nature Park. The key attraction is the wooden boardwalk which can be accessed free of charge. The visitors enjoy a short leisurely hike on the boardwalk soaking in the calming sounds of nature. The park is a cheap and easy-to-access escape from the buzz and stress of city life. 


The park also features a fine pier gazing over the scenic Joe’s bayou, which amuses the local fishing aficionado from dawn to dusk. The small beach area is quiet and less crammed with beach-frequenting crowds. The park also has a boat-ramp for watching boats and regularly attracts local swimming enthusiasts, although Lifeguard support is not available. The marshy wetland is home to a few elite local flora and fauna such as the osprey, woodpeckers, turtles, and other species, providing an excellent spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers. 


The park offers a state of pure bliss and tranquil to weary souls presenting a cheerful picnic area where families enjoy an evening snack or lunch. There are no restaurants nearby due to the remoteness of the park. The park offers enough guidance through its informational signposts. There is a small parking space for up to 5 cars with no access to on-site toilet facilities. Pets are not allowed, although dog-walking is not an uncommon sight. Waste receptacles are available on-site. These minor downsides can be generously overlooked for the incredible natural beauty and benefits the park has to offer. 


2. Dalton G. Threadgill Little League Park

Contact Details

Address: 711 Hickory Street, Destin, FL 32541

Phone: +1 850-837-4242


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: No

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: No

Swimming: No

Lifeguard Support: N/A

On-site Toilet facility: Yes

Waste Receptacles: Yes

Disabled-Friendly: No information available


Park Rules

Hours: Daily Dawn to Dusk

Pets allowed: No information available

Admission: Free


Local Events/Activities: No information available


The Dalton G. Threadgill Park is a fantastic destination for sports-lovers spanning over 3.9 acres near Marlor bayou. The park is basically a youth sports facility featuring: 

One adult baseball field, 

One girls’ softball field, 

One tee-ball field, 

Bike rack,

Bleachers and a

Concession Stand


The athletic park is named after and dedicated to Dalton G. Threadgill, the Destin Elementary School coach who led the way for the Destin Little League to become a member of the National Little League Baseball Franchise. The park is a famous venue for baseball league matches conducted by the Destin Little League across age groups. The park, reportedly maintained by the Destin Little League, provides ample parking space for up to 50 cars and access to on-site toilet facilities. Waste receptacles are available on-site.


3. Main Street Park

Contact Details

Address: 605 Main Street, Destin, FL 32541

Contact: +1 850-837-4242


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: Yes

Swimming: Yes

Lifeguard Support: No

On-site Toilet facility: Yes

Waste Receptacles: Yes

Disabled-Friendly: Yes


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk

Pets allowed: No information available

Admission: Free


Local Events/Activities: No information available


The Main Street Park is a small .75-acre ADA compliant disabled-friendly waterfront park. The park features a dedicated picnic area and a fishing dock. The park is frequented by swimming enthusiasts, although Lifeguard support is not available. There is a small parking area for up to 10 cars with on-site toilet facilities. Waste receptacles are available on-site.

4. Clement E. Taylor Park

Contact Details

Address: 131 Calhoun Ave, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-654-5184


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: Yes

Swimming: Yes

Lifeguard Support: No

On-site Toilet facility: Yes

Waste Receptacles: Yes

Disabled-Friendly: No information available


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk

Pets allowed: No

Admission: Free

After-hours parking: Not allowed


Local Events/Activities: No information available


The Clement E. Taylor Park is located on the water and stretches across 3.55 acres of land. The park is sought-after for its scenic greenery, shady oak tree settings, and sunny grass landscapes. The park is also known for the beautiful Spanish moss hanging on trees that give an enchanting touch to the park trails. Additionally, the park features:

A waterfront gazebo, 

Pier, 

Pavilion, 

Beach swim area, 

Playground,

Picnic area,

Sand Volleyball Court and

Outdoor charcoal grills


The park is good for kids, with playgrounds and picnic areas to explore and have fun. The park offers isolated and secluded spots to relax and reminisce with family or in solitude. At sunset, visitors can enjoy Dolphin sightings in the harbor. The Pavilion can be rented for private events by organizations or individuals by contacting the Community Center on +1 850-654-5184. Waste receptacles are available on-site.

5. Kell-Aire Nature Walk

Contact Details

Address: 874 Kell-Aire Drive, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-837-4242


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: No

Swimming: No

Lifeguard Support: N/A

On-site Toilet facility: No

Waste Receptacles: No information available

Disabled-Friendly: No information available


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk

Pets allowed: No information available

Admission: Free


Local Events/Activities: No information available


The Kell-Aire Nature Walk, located near the Destin Executive Airport (DSI), is a 3.013 acre is a low impact area. The area is basically a green infrastructure designed with ecological sustainability to maintain and restore the water cycle in developing watersheds.  The park features:

Benches

Bicycle rack

Nature walk

Playground

Swings

The park offers a small neighborhood walking trail with a pleasant and natural open area for nature lovers and visitors to relax. Kids can enjoy playing on the swings. The park offers cycling trails for visitors to enjoy. The parking area is a small apace.


6. Dewey Buck Destin Park

Contact Details

Address: 724 Legion Dr, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-654-5184


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: No

Swimming: No

Lifeguard Support: N/A

On-site Toilet facility: Yes

Waste Receptacles: Yes

Disabled-Friendly: No information available


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, 9 AM to Dusk

Pets allowed: No

Admission: Free

Overnight parking: Not allowed

Bicycle Rules: Bicycles on Roads and Fairways only

Fine for Littering: $500

Alcoholic Beverages: Not allowed

Glass Containers: Not allowed


Local Events/Activities: No information available


The Dewey Buck Destin Park is a public park that. The park features:

Basketball court

2 Open tennis courts

Bike rack

Picnic tables

Playground

Children’s play area


The tennis courts also serve as venues for Pickleball sports. The recently renovated building in the park can be rented for activities and private events by contacting the community center on +1 850-654-5184. Parking space is available on-site.

7. Harbor View Park

Contact Details

Address: Beach Drive and U.S. Highway 98, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-837-4242


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: No

Swimming: No

Lifeguard Support: N/A

On-site Toilet facility: No

Waste Receptacles: No information available

Disabled-Friendly: Yes


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk

Pets allowed: No information available

Admission: Free


Local Events/Activities: No information available


Inaugurated in August 2000, the Harbor View Park is the smallest in Okaloosa County after the Main Street Park. Both these parks are maintained by the city’s ‘Parks and Recreation' department. The park is situated south of Beach Drive and U.S. Highway 98 and east of the Grand Harbor condos. The public access drive to the park is part of the entrance to Grand Harbor. It is a low-impact area of about 0.4 acres, created with ecological sustainability. The park offers stunning partial views over Destin Harbor. The park features a waterfront deck area with:

Benches

Picnic tables

Bike rack

There is an on-site parking area with limited disabled parking slots. There are no on-site toilet facilities available.


8. Jewel Melvin Park

Contact Details

Address: 1999, Cordgrass Court, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-837-4242


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: No

Swimming: No

Lifeguard Support: N/A

On-site Toilet facility: No information available

Waste Receptacles: No information available

Disabled-Friendly: No information available


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk

Pets allowed: No

Admission: Free

Overnight parking: Not allowed

Bicycle Rules: Bicycles on Roads and Fairways only

Fine for Littering: $500

Alcoholic Beverages: Not allowed

Glass Containers: Not allowed


Local Events/Activities: No information available


The Jewel Melvin Park is a community park situated along the southern shoreline of Twin Lakes. The park features: 

Benches

Nature walk

Picnic tables


Visitors can enjoy the natural walking trails, green spaces, and the park's serene atmosphere.


Section Image

9. June White Decker Park

Contact Details

Address: 1950, Scenic Hwy, 98, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-837-4242


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: No information available

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: No

Swimming: No

Lifeguard Support: N/A

On-site Toilet facility: Yes

Waste Receptacles: No information available

Disabled-Friendly: No information available


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, Dawn to Dusk

Pets allowed: No

Admission: Free

Beach Access to Vehicles: Not allowed

Littering: Not allowed

Glass Containers: No


Local Events/Activities: No information available


The June White Decker Park is a linear park situated on the scenic U.S. Highway 98 next to the Silver Shells Condominiums. The park provides public beach access to the Gulf of Mexico. The walk to the beach is relatively short compared to a lot of beaches. The beach offers all the standard beach amenities and boasts of the several restaurants and shops available nearby for visitors to benefit from. There is a parking area available on-site with access to toilet facilities. The park also features a Bike rack area.


Section Image

10. Henderson Beach State Park

Contact Details

Address:  17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Contact: +1 850-837-7550


Amenities

Parking: Yes

Picnic Area: Yes

Boat-ramp: No

Fishing Dock: Yes

Swimming: Yes

Lifeguard Support: Yes

On-site Toilet facility: Yes

Waste Receptacles: Yes

Disabled-Friendly: Yes


Park Rules

Hours: Daily, 8 AM until Sundown

Pets allowed: Yes

Admission: Paid 

Alcohol: not allowed

Glass Containers: No

Fires: Not allowed


Local Events: No information available


The Henderson Beach State Park is a much sought-after spot known for its immaculate white sands stretching over 6000 feet of the scenic emerald coast. The park is an excellent destination with scenic boardwalks, sand pines, scrub oaks, and dune rosemary. The park features:

2 large Pavilions

Picnic tables

Playground

Picnic area


The beach is a stunning venue for swimming, fishing, and sunbathing. The beach is one of the few to provide a Lifeguard Support facility. Kids love the park for its playgrounds and picturesque walking trails. The park has a campsite nearby with about 60 campsites to rent, offering unforgettable vacation stays with hi-tech amenities. The beach is ADA compliant and hence, easily accessible to the disabled. There are wheelchairs available for use by disabled visitors. There Is also a park store that sells beach stuff and has drink vending machines. The park is a perfect venue for outdoor weddings and get-together events. The Pavilion can be rented for private events by contacting the park staff on +1 850-837-7550.


The park is rich with exotic flora and fauna. Sea Turtle and Dolphin sightings are very common. The park is an excellent spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers. There is ample parking space for up to 175 cars. The park is maintained by the ‘Florida Department of Environmental Protection’.