****For more information on becoming a camp host at Wilderness Landing Park, please call Okaloosa County Parks @ 850-689-5790

From the Blackwater, Yellow and Shoal Rivers south to Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico Okaloosa County’s 935.65 square miles encompass a diverse natural environment that plays a vital role in preserving our wealth of outdoor activities. The Okaloosa County beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world with its sugar white crystalline sands drawing tourists from far and wide. Fishing and boating enthusiasts can choose either freshwater rivers, the saltwater Gulf of Mexico or the brackish Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay and have quick access to them by the free boat ramps scattered throughout the County. Birdwatchers thrill to the variety of shore and inland species that call our County home or that pass through along the Great Florida Birding Trail.

The County Parks Department is always seeking to improve park services that provide a better quality of life for the residents of and visitors to Okaloosa County. The Parks Department maintains a variety of park facilities including small neighborhood parks, playground facilities, beach accessways, boat ramps and multipurpose sports fields.

The Parks Department continues to follow the guidelines of the Parks Master Plan in developing new parks to service a growing population. One to watch is the new Veterans Park on Okaloosa Island with natural beaches, Florida fauna and a rare and exotic bird rookery.

Beach Wheelchairs:

Beach wheelchairs are available without charge on a first come first served basis for use at the following locations only.

1. Destin Public Safety: James Lee Park, Shirah Beach Access and the Back Porch.

Call 850-837-8413 for assistance.

2. Okaloosa Island- Public Safety will bring a chair to any location on the island.

Call 850-259-4131 for assistance.  

NOTE: Chairs are unavailable under red flag conditions. You can find out what flag conditions are by texting "BEACH" to 44144 for water condition updates or searching (Destin Beach Safety) on Facebook as they post the conditions daily. 

Download the latest parks guide>>