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Every public beach access on Okaloosa Island

All 10 of them, from the Boardwalk to the National Seashore. Parking counts, accessible spaces, restrooms, pavilions and hours for each one, taken from Okaloosa County, county Beach Safety and the National Park Service.

Parking is free on the island today. That may change. Okaloosa County is working toward paid parking for visitors, with county residents staying free. Beach Access lots 1–7 and Beasley Park are named as potential test sites. When we checked in October 2026, no start date or rates had been announced. Check the signs when you park.
10PUBLIC ACCESSES
375+FREE PARKING SPACES
22ACCESSIBLE SPACES
8WITH RESTROOMS

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Showing all 10 beaches

BIGGEST LOT ON THE ISLAND

John Beasley Park

200 spaces, two pavilions and a boardwalk to the sand. It fills up at peak times in season, so the county suggests carpooling. Opened in 1960, it was the area's only beach for Black residents during segregation, and it's named for civic leader John C. "Red" Beasley.

Free · 200 spaces +8 accessible

RestroomsShowers ?Lifeguard zonePavilions ×2

1550 Miracle Strip Pkwy · West pavilion reservable for a fee: (850) 689-5790

NEXT TO THE PIER

The Boardwalk (Newman C. Brackin Wayside Park)

The busy heart of the island, right beside the fishing pier. Several pavilions, picnic tables, volleyball nets, dune walkovers and restrooms with changing rooms.

Free · count not published (county says "plenty")

Restrooms + changing roomsShowers ?Lifeguard zonePavilionsVolleyball

1460 Miracle Strip Pkwy

MOST SPACES OF THE 7 BEACHWALKS

Beach Access #7 · Emerald Promenade Beachwalk

The largest of the numbered beachwalks, with a pavilion, a grill and restrooms.

Free · 37 spaces +2 accessible

RestroomsShowers ?Lifeguard zonePavilion + grillBorrow bin

900 Santa Rosa Blvd · open 1 hr before sunrise to 1 hr after sunset

Beach Access #6 · Mike Mitchell Beachwalk

Second-biggest beachwalk lot, with a pavilion and restrooms.

Free · 31 spaces +2 accessible

RestroomsShowers ?Lifeguard zonePavilionBorrow bin

820 Santa Rosa Blvd · open 1 hr before sunrise to 1 hr after sunset

Beach Access #1 · Blue Dolphin Beachwalk

Pavilion space and picnic tables. The first of the seven numbered beachwalks.

Free · 25 spaces +2 accessible

Restrooms ?Showers ?Lifeguard zonePavilion

372 Santa Rosa Blvd · open 1 hr before sunrise to 1 hr after sunset

Beach Access #2 · Emerald View Beachwalk

A pavilion and picnic tables on Santa Rosa Boulevard.

Free · 24 spaces +2 accessible

Restrooms ?Showers ?Lifeguard zonePavilion

399 Santa Rosa Blvd · open 1 hr before sunrise to 1 hr after sunset

MOST AMENITIES

Beach Access #3 · Seashore Beachwalk

Two pavilions, grills, picnic tables and restrooms: the best-equipped of the numbered beachwalks for a cookout.

Free · 24 spaces +2 accessible

RestroomsShowers ?Lifeguard zonePavilions ×2 + grillsBorrow bin

530 Santa Rosa Blvd · open 1 hr before sunrise to 1 hr after sunset

Beach Access #4 · Jerry Melvin Beachwalk

A pavilion and restrooms with a smaller lot.

Free · 18 spaces +2 accessible

RestroomsShowers ?Lifeguard zonePavilionBorrow bin

600 Santa Rosa Blvd · open 1 hr before sunrise to 1 hr after sunset

SMALLEST LOT

Beach Access #5 · Doris Jordan Freeway Beachwalk

Restrooms and a pavilion, but the fewest spaces on the island. Go early, or try #6 a little farther down Santa Rosa Boulevard.

Free · 16 spaces +2 accessible

RestroomsShowers ?Lifeguard zonePavilionBorrow bin

700 Santa Rosa Blvd · open 1 hr before sunrise to 1 hr after sunset

NATIONAL PARK · ENTRANCE FEE

Gulf Islands National Seashore · Okaloosa Day Use Area

The quiet, undeveloped east end of the island, run by the National Park Service. A small boat launch onto Choctawhatchee Bay, outdoor showers, and kite surfing is permitted here April 1 – September 30. No pets.

Entrance fee · pay at the box near the boat ramp or buy a park pass online

RestroomsShowersLimited patrolsPicnic tables

US-98, about 3.5 miles west of Destin · 8am to sunset, no overnight parking

An orange label means the county doesn't publish it. Showers at the beachwalks, restrooms at Access #1 and #2, and the Boardwalk's parking count aren't listed anywhere official. If you've been recently and know the answer, tell us.

What's a borrow bin? The county lists one at five of the beachwalks. Borrow what's inside for the day and put it back when you leave, so the next family can use it.

Lifeguards on Okaloosa Island

Okaloosa County Beach Safety guards the developed 4-mile stretch of the island, split into four zones, each with tower lifeguards and a patrolling rescue unit. The county accesses on this page are on the developed part of the island; the National Seashore at the east end is the undeveloped part. The fishing pier divides Zones 1 and 2, the busiest part of the beach, and the Ocean West command tower sits on the pier itself.

  • Season: second Saturday in March through October 31.
  • Hours: 9am–6pm in spring and fall, 9am–8pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  • Off-season (November–February): limited patrols and response only, 10am–4pm.
  • National Seashore (east end): response and limited patrols only, even in season.

Check today's Fort Walton Beach flag before you go, and see what each flag means.

The map

Every access on this page, plus lifeguard stations and Destin's beaches, on one clickable map.

Rules that catch people out

Okaloosa Island follows Okaloosa County's beach rules, the same ones that apply in Destin. If you've stayed in Miramar Beach or on 30A, several of these will be different.

  • No dogs. Not on any Okaloosa County beach. Service animals only; emotional support animals are specifically excluded. Pets aren't allowed at the National Seashore day use area either.
  • No alcohol in county beach parks. That includes the county parks and beachwalks on this page. Outside the parks, non-glass drinks are generally allowed on the sand, but check the posted signs.
  • No bonfires. Fires are illegal on the beach under Okaloosa County Ordinance 79-41.
  • No glass anywhere, and no personal grills. Use the county grills at Access #3 and #7.
  • Mind the hours. The seven numbered beachwalks open 1 hour before sunrise and close 1 hour after sunset.

Common questions

How many public beach accesses are on Okaloosa Island?

Ten. Okaloosa County runs nine: John Beasley Park, the Boardwalk (Newman C. Brackin Wayside Park) and seven numbered beachwalks along Santa Rosa Boulevard. The National Park Service runs the tenth, the Okaloosa Day Use Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore at the island's east end.

Is beach parking free on Okaloosa Island?

Yes, at the county accesses, as of October 2026. Okaloosa County is working toward paid parking for visitors, with county residents staying free, and has named Beach Access lots 1–7 and Beasley Park as potential test sites. No start date or rates have been announced. The National Seashore's Okaloosa Day Use Area charges an entrance fee.

Which Okaloosa Island beach has the most parking?

John Beasley Park, with 200 spaces plus 8 accessible spaces. It can fill at peak times in season. Of the seven numbered beachwalks, Access #7 (Emerald Promenade) is largest at 37 spaces plus 2 accessible.

Are there lifeguards on Okaloosa Island?

Yes, from the second Saturday in March through October 31. Okaloosa County Beach Safety guards the developed 4-mile stretch in four zones, 9am–6pm in spring and fall and 9am–8pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. From November through February there are limited patrols, 10am–4pm. The National Seashore east end gets response and limited patrols only.

Can I bring a dog to the beach on Okaloosa Island?

No. Dogs are not allowed on any Okaloosa County beach, and emotional support animals are specifically excluded; service animals only. Pets are also not allowed at the Gulf Islands National Seashore Okaloosa Day Use Area.

Which Okaloosa Island beach access has restrooms?

Okaloosa County lists restrooms at John Beasley Park, the Boardwalk (with changing rooms) and Beach Access #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7. The National Seashore's Okaloosa Day Use Area also has restrooms, open during operating hours. The county doesn't list restrooms at Access #1 or #2.

Last checked October 2026. Paid parking, lifeguard seasons and park fees all change, so we re-check this page each season. Sources: Okaloosa County Facility & Parks, Okaloosa County Beach Safety, and the National Park Service.