Destin is one of the top tourist destinations, among many, in the state, as it brings in millions of visitors each year. Destin, Florida is part of a metropolitan area that includes Fort Walton Beach and Crestview. The city was named after Captain Leonard Destin, credited with bringing the still-thriving fishing industry to the area. Although homes and condominiums were built beginning in the 1970s, it was not until 1984 that Destin was incorporated as a municipality.
Destin is known for its white sandy beaches. It is said that the sand on the beaches is some of the whitest and most beautiful in the world. Around Destin, you'll find a thriving tourism industry, charter fishing boats, restaurants, hotels, and condominium buildings. The city has a population of only about 12,000 during off-season months from October to March, but that number jumps to over 40,000 during peak tourist season in the summer.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Destin is on a peninsula that separates the Gulf from Choctawhatchee Bay, giving you access to water in every direction. While it used to be a barrier island, many notable storms and hurricanes have come through the region over the years and affected the landscape of the entire coast.
Campgrounds Near Destin, Florida
Destin West RV Resort is located directly on the bay, across the street from the white sandy beaches, and close to a hotel that allows campers to use their facilities and amenities. Staying at the Destin West RV Resort gives you access to a beachside pool, restaurants, bar, and 55 RV sites with full hookups.
Eagle's Landing RV Park is located about 45 miles north of Destin in Holt, Florida. Eagle's Landing features 60 flat RV sites with city water and full electric hookups. It is pet-friendly, big-rig friendly, and easy to access from Florida's I-10. You also get Wi-Fi and showers. Visit the nearby Crestview town to find more amenities.
West of Eagle's Landing, River's Edge RV Campground is near Holt, Florida. River's Edge is in a cozy wooded area near the Yellow River. Enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and more while staying at the RV resort. There are close to 100 pull-through RV sites, including some on the water. There is also a basketball court, a pavilion, showers and restrooms, a recreation hall, and more.
State Parks Near Destin, Florida
Henderson Beach State Park offers fishing, beaches, camping, and boating, all close to Destin. To get to the beach, you must pass over 30-foot dunes to the beautiful, white sandy beaches. Henderson Beach State Park offers restrooms, picnic pavilions, beach wheelchair rentals, and grills along with 300 parking spaces for visitors who pay a small fee to enter the park. Once inside, there are 60 campsites, plenty of fishing, and a great nature trail, all within the park's confines.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, Florida is just across Choctawhatchee Bay from Destin and is the former home of a WWII military practice range. The practice range has been beautifully transformed into a place of incredible scenery and quiet reflection. It is named after the "Rocky Bayou," which is the trailing arm of Choctawhatchee Bay and is a popular place for boating and fishing. There are plenty of RV campgrounds close by, including Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park Campground, with 40 widely spaced, fully equipped RV sites.
You will find Topsail Hill Preserve State Park just east of Destin and past Miramar Beach. Topsail Hill is known for its dunes separating beautiful beaches from inland Florida in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The dunes in the park have created a unique ecosystem that includes freshwater dune lakes and different aquatic wildlife. You can find freshwater or saltwater fish inside Topsail Hill Preserve. There are plenty of camping opportunities in and around the park, including some RV sites with full hookups.
National Sites Near Destin, Florida
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is 9 miles west of downtown Destin on Okaloosa Island. This is excellent for water sports, wildlife, and spending time on the beach after crossing the protected dunes. Okaloosa island boasts a diverse history; the land has been controlled by the British, French, Spanish, and American people, and each group has some influence.
A three-hour drive north of Destin takes you to the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail in Alabama. Congress established the trail in 1996 to commemorate the civil rights movement of the 1960s, including the march that helped lead to voting rights for African Americans. This trail includes plaques, pictures, museums, preserved homes, artifacts, and more that all help tell the story of the civil rights movement in America. In addition, you can trace the 54-mile trail that Martin Luther King, Jr. led protesters on in 1965.
Montgomery, Alabama is home to the Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, about 180 miles north of Destin. In the heart of the site stands the school Booker T. Washington built brick-by-brick. He recruited some of the brightest African American minds of the time, including George Washington Carver, to teach there. Visiting the site of the Tuskegee Institute gives you a chance to tour the campus and get a feel for the history that is preserved there.
National Forests Near Destin, Florida
Conecuh National Forest is located about an hour's drive north of Destin in Andalusia County, Alabama. It is the southernmost national forest in Alabama, covering approximately 84,000 acres along the Alabama-Florida line. The area is richly biodiverse and includes lush pine forests, shallow ponds, and muddy bogs. Conecuh is great for recreational activities, including fishing, hiking, camping, backpacking, wildlife viewing, and shooting sports.
Located in central Florida, you can find Apalachicola National Forest and some of the world's most unique animal and plant species. In addition, it is home to the Leon Sinks area, where you can explore caverns and sinkholes or visit the Apalachicola River for fishing and water sports. The park comprises more than 600,000 acres of lowland, wetlands, and sub-tropical grasslands, making it an excellent place for camping and hunting. There are many camping options, including some RV campsites with full hookups and other amenities.
Tuskegee National Forest is a 3.5-hour drive north of Destin and is the smallest national forest in the U.S. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in activities and possibilities, including camping, cabins, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting, water sports, and much more. There are only 14 campsites inside Tuskegee National Forest and more in the surrounding areas. Tuskegee National Forest is also remarkably close to the many historical civil rights movement sites.
