Park Ranger
View a list of County-maintained parks
**Hours of use: One hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Section 16-5
Regulation of use and conduct at the beach, county parks, water bodies, and all recreational areas in the unincorporated areas of Okaloosa County.
- No overnight camping 16-43 (a) Note: The exception is Wilderness Landing Park
- No fires 16-43 (b) Note: Except in parks the county has provided grills. No personal grills may be used.
- No smoking, vaping 16-43 (c)
- Fishing 16-43 (d) Note: Shark fishing is prohibited on property owned by Okaloosa County.
- No glass 16-43 (e) Note: This includes bottles and ceramic coffee cups.
- Soliciting and canvassing. 16-43 (f) Note: Unlawful without a permit.
- No littering 16-43 (g)
- Obstructions on the beach 16-43 (h) Note: No setting up before 7:00 am.
Emergency travel lane: There shall be a minimum setback of 25 feet from the gulf side of the dune on all public beaches on Okaloosa Island and James Lee Park for an emergency access lane.
- Swimming, Surfing 16-43 (i) Swimming, surfing, use of rafts, floats and other flotation devices. Note: Stay at least 150 feet away from pier.
- Flag warning system. 16-43 (j) Note: Text BEACH to 44144 to receive daily beach flag information, during the season. Flag information can also be found at: https://www.facebook.com/OkaloosaCounty
- No sound amplification 16-43 (k)
- Removal of beach sand 16-43 (l)
- Removal of water 16-43 (m)
- No Animals (pets) 16-43 (n) Note: Except service animals. Emotional support animals are not trained service animals and not permitted. · Chapter 413 Section 08 - 2021 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate
- Use of illegal drugs, alcohol and fireworks 16-43 (o)
- No Weapons
- No fighting, profanity, or disorderly conduct 16-43 (p)
- Abandonment 16-43 (q) Note: Regarding personal property left in parks as defined in Section 16-41.
- Trampolines/Bounce Houses 16-43 (r)
- Enforcement 16-43 (s)
- Holes 16-43 (t)
- Tents 16-43 (u) Note: Tents/Canopies must fit in a 10’x10’ space, all inclusive.
- Chair and umbrella beach vendors 16-49 Note: The first 25 feet from the wet sand toward the dunes is for public use only. No chair vendor may set up in this area.
- Bird Feeding Prohibited 5-45
- No harassing sea turtles 16-45 (c) (13)
- No white lights at night 5-92 General Standards
- Prohibition of activities disruptive to sea turtles. 5-95
- No vehicles on beach 16-45 Note: Emergency and permitted vehicles allowed.
- Aircraft 16-46
- Commercial activity on public lands 16-48 Note: No commercial activities or soliciting without permit.
- No large vehicle parking 16-54
- Watercraft distance from shore, generally. 16-44 Note: No motorized vessels or personal watercraft within 700 feet of shore
To obtain a Qualified Beach Vendor Permit contact the Facility Parks Maintenance Department at https://myokaloosa.com/facilities/home.
Vendors will be required to pay fees for photography, mobile food and beverage vending, sand castle and picnic vendors.
Special events must be coordinated through Okaloosa County, 16-41 Definitions
Wedding Vending: 16-55
- Elopement Wedding – Fewer than 6, No setups – $50
- Wedding (excluding James Lee Park) – $100
- James Lee Park Wedding – $200
- Additional Fee for Wedding after 5pm – $50
- Additional Fee for Weekend Wedding – $50
Picnic, Sandcastle, and Photography Vending:
- Sandcastle Events – $50
- Picnics Events over 4 individuals – $50
- Picnic Events with prolonged setup over 4 hours – $100
- Photography over 10 individuals or w/setups/Over 2hrs – $50
Additionally, chair and umbrella beach vendors will be required to pay $100 per chair and umbrella setup, per section of beach, between beach accessways and upland owner permit equivalent to $75 per upland unit, per calendar year. Non-vending areas exist within the width of each of the seven 100ft wide public beach accessway properties, plus 50ft on either side of the public access property.
Rip current info
- A rip current is a powerful channel of water flowing away from shore. While they can’t always be spotted, one of the best visual indicators of a rip current is a gap between waves.
- If caught in a rip current, don’t swim against it. This is commonly an individual’s initial instinct.
- Swim out of the current and then swim at an angle or toward the shore. Always swim parallel to the shore when attempting to swim out of the rip current.
- If you can’t escape, float or calmly tread water.
BEACH WHEELCHAIRS
The following are offered for free on a first-come, first-served basis:
- Okaloosa County (Okaloosa Island beaches) offers beach wheelchairs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March 1 to Oct. 31. They even will deliver them to beach access points and any of the condominiums or hotels on Okaloosa Island, from Beasley Park to the El Matador Resort. Call (850) 259-4131 for a reservation.
- Destin Fire Control District has wheelchairs available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. They can be used at James Lee Park, and at the Shirah Street and June White Decker public beach accesses. Call (850) 837-8413 for a reservation.
- Henderson Beach State Park, which is ADA accessible, has beach wheelchairs available during park hours. Stop in at the park office for a key, then retrieve them where they’re stored. Keys must be returned by the end of the day.
