While many of us love to spend our days off work basking at the beach or by the pool, there is so much to discover by visiting one of our regional state parks. In my two decades as a tourism and lifestyle editor for numerous publications I have been surprised by how many people live along the coastal communities of Northwest Florida’s and Alabama’s Gulf Coast, yet don’t take advantage of our beautiful state parks.
The five parks I’ve chosen here are just a few of our regionally accessible state parks that make for the idyllic day or weekend jaunt from the Pensacola area, but trust me, when you go to one, you’re likely to want to try them all!
Henderson Beach State Park
Situated along the white sands of nearby Destin, Henderson Beach State Park is often referred to as “The Gem of the Emerald Coast.” And once you drive through this park’s gates, you will quickly understand why. Because of its location smack dab in the middle of Destin, this park is easily accessible for day trips and camping alike. Henderson Beach State Park features a pristine footprint of 1.2 miles of white sand and emerald waters, alongside wooded areas, trees, coastal vegetation and trails. The remarkable Gulf side retreat is tucked away inside the small confines of “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and offers its visitors an ideal refuge.
Henderson Beach State Park offers 60 campsites that can accommodate everything from a small tent to a 60-foot-long camper or motorcoach. These campsites include water and electric hookups, bathing facilities, and a ¾ mile pet-friendly hiking trail that meanders through the park's Northwest Florida scrub and coastal sand dunes. All of this is just an hour away from Pensacola and makes for a perfect few days in paradise.
Blackwater River State Park
If your idea of a state park visit includes more wild and wilderness than sand and surf then nearby Blackwater River State Park, located south of I-10 in Holt, Florida is about a 45-minute drive from Pensacola. This back-to-nature state park is home to one of the most pristine rivers in the nation, Blackwater River, designated as a Florida Canoe Trail and part of the statewide system of greenways and trails. Besides canoeing and kayaking, you can bring a tube and float along at a slow easy speed as you explore the scenery and wildlife along the popular winding river.
Blackwater River State Park is home to multiple small crescent-shaped lakes that were created over thousands of years’ time as the river changed courses. Trust me, the explorer in you will want to discover them all.
If you’re into hiking, you will most definitely enjoy exploring the many trails that wind through the park’s almost 600 acres. The park is home to white-tailed deer, bear, wild turkey, bobcats, Blue Heron and river otter -along with a few snakes and smaller creatures too. Nature enthusiasts will take note of Florida’s Champion Tree, one of the largest and oldest Atlantic White Cedars along the Blackwater River’s banks.
Perdido Key State Park
A short jaunt from Pensacola is another oasis of Northwest Florida’s Gulf, Perdido Key State Park. This 247-acre wilderness preserve is a tranquil haven for visitors. Perdido Key State Park is complemented with the same sugar-white sand that graces all of our Gulf Coast beaches. As a day trip Perdido Key State Park is perfect for sunbathing, paddle boarding, surfing, and even shelling.
As for interesting wildlife, the endangered beach mouse and the loggerhead sea turtle are two species that call Perdido Key State Park home and can be seen at times along the park’s shores.
Big Lagoon State Park
This 678-acre state park features nine distinct natural communities ranging from tidal salt marshes to pine flatwoods, each attracting a wide variety of ducks, shorebirds, and marsh birds.
Big Lagoon State Park’s day visitors are invited to bring (or rent) a pair of binoculars for the best views from the park’s unique four- story observation tower.
Big Lagoon State Park is considered one of Florida’s best water parks due to its narrow sands, shallow bays, and coastal dune lakes. Grand Lagoon, the park’s namesake, snakes its way eastward toward Pensacola Bay while the smaller, freshwater Long Pond rests to the west side of the park. It’s common to catch a glimpse of alligators, deer, fox, and raccoons making themselves at home. Because it is their home!
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
This incredible state park is located in Niceville, about an hour’s drive from the Pensacola area.
The park is located along the north shore and is bordered by the Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve. At this tranquil state park you can see dolphins, birds, bears, otters, and even the occasional bald eagle. All coexisting within the ecosystem of the estuarine sea grass beds that cover parts of the park. The park’s lake is home to saltwater fish like mullet, flounder, trout and other coastal favorites. The lake is also a wonderful place to paddleboard, kayak, swim and explore.
If you fancy a hike, you’ll really like Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, as it’s home to a series of popular hiking trials, each one with a distinct feature to explore from The Red Cedar Trail to Sand Pine Trail, and Rocky Bayou Trail. The park is also home to remarkable longleaf pine trees, many in excess of 350 years old. Everything about this nearby state park is ideal for a quick day or weekend getaway.
The state parks along Northwest Florida's and Alabama's Gulf Coast are among the most beautiful in the entire country.
Each park serves as host to an array of wildlife, fowl, fish, and plant life.