emerald coast wheelchair access
14 Wheelchair-Friendly Beach Walkovers for 30A & Destin Beaches
Crossing a dune walkover to the white-sand beach is not a simple endeavor for many. Mobility issues, failing eyesight, and physical disabilities can make descending a stairway or walking through sand an impossibility.
But that shouldn’t stop anyone from feeling the warm, salt-air breezes or hearing waves crash gently against the shore.
We’ve found beach access points from Destin to Panama City Beach that offer ADA-compliant beach ramps and/or free beach wheelchair service.
wheelchair–friendly destin beach access
In Destin, visitors can reserve free beach wheelchairs at three designated beach accesses: June White Decker Park, James Lee Park, and Shirah Street public access. Visitors can make reservations for a beach wheelchair by calling the Destin Fire Control District at (850) 837-8413, Monday-Friday.
Henderson Beach State Park also provides an all-terrain beach wheelchair within state park boundaries.
June White Decker Park
This City of Destin Gulf-front park has an ADA-certified ramp, restrooms, parking, and all-terrain beach wheelchairs provided by reservation.
James Lee Park
This popular Gulf-front park is by the Crab Trap restaurant on the Walton/Okaloosa county line. Visitors can enjoy a playground, restrooms with changing rooms, 41 picnic tables, three pavilions, and nine dune walkovers. Beach wheelchairs are available with an advanced reservation.
Shirah Street Public Access
This beach access has a ramp and beach wheelchairs available with advanced reservations.
Henderson Beach State Park
There is a $6 fee to enter the park.
This gorgeous Gulf-front state park has 30-foot-tall dunes, a pristine beach, trails, and 60 campsites. For visitors in wheelchairs, an all-terrain beach wheelchair is available for the beach. Visitors should check-in at the ranger station for more information.
The Shore at Crystal Park Public Access
This lovely beach access has a ramp, a pavilion, restrooms, outdoor showers, and ample parking but does not provide access to free beach wheelchairs.
wheelchair–friendly mirimar beach access
Miramar Beach Regional Access
The ADA ramp is located within this large beach-front park that also includes parking, ADA accessible restrooms, a lifeguard stand, bike parking, showers, and a flag indicating surf conditions. The South Walton Fire District offers all-terrain beach wheelchairs, free of charge, March 1-Oct. 31. The SWFD requires a signed waiver, and chairs must be operated by an on-duty lifeguard. Call the SWFD at (850) 267-1298 for additional information.
wheelchair–friendly mirimar beach access
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
There is a $6 fee per vehicle to enter the park.
Topsail has 15 miles of marked trails, picnic areas, cabins, glamping tents, 156 RV sites, clubhouse facilities, and more. An 11-person wheelchair-accessible tram takes visitors on a lovely, tree-lined drive to the 3.2 miles of white-sand beaches at Topsail Hill Preserve. The park also has two all-terrain beach wheelchairs available for guests with mobility issues.
Dune Allen Regional Beach Access
The Dune Allen Regional access is new to 30A. Located across from Stinky’s Fish Camp Restaurant, this 1.51-acre park offers an ADA-accessible boardwalk, ADA-accessible restrooms, parking, outdoor showers, and seasonal lifeguards.
Fort Panic Regional Beach Access
Located just down from the Dune Allen Regional Beach Access is Fort Panic. This beach access is close to the outfall of Oyster Lake, one of 30A’s rare coastal dune lakes. An ADA-accessible boardwalk, parking, and restrooms are available. Lifeguards are on duty from March 1-Oct. 31.
The Ed Walline Regional Beach Access is across the street from Gulf Place, which has restaurants, shopping, an artist district, and more. This popular beach access includes a Mobi-Mat that extends onto the beach, making walking onto the white sand much more manageable. Ed Walline offers an ADA-accessible boardwalk, parking, restrooms, and a beach pavilion. Beach wheelchairs are also available at Ed Walline with a signed waiver and must be operated by an on-duty lifeguard. Call the SWFD at (850) 267-1298 for additional information.
Grayton Beach State Park
There is a $5 fee per vehicle to enter the park.
Grayton Beach State Park is a gorgeous beach access that has won national awards for its views of towering dunes, access to a rare coastal dune lake, and its pristine beach. Grayton Beach State Park has hiking trails, primitive camping sites, RV sites, and cabins for rent. Visitors with mobility issues can use the ADA accessible boardwalk and the beach Mobi-Mat, making transitioning to the sand more straightforward. Cabin beach access also provides a Mobi-Mat. Beach wheelchairs are available at no additional cost, but park rangers ask guests to call (850) 267-8300 in advance to reserve them.
The Santa Clara Regional Access in Seagrove Beach includes parking, ADA-accessible restrooms, a lifeguard stand, bike parking, showers, and a flag indicating surf conditions. Beach wheelchairs are available at Santa Clara with a signed waiver and must be operated by an on-duty lifeguard. Call the SWFD at (850) 267-1298 for additional information.
Witness a slice of undeveloped Florida at the Inlet Beach Regional Access. Towering dunes, scrub oak beaten down by the wind, and long boardwalks to the beach make this a beautiful place to spend the day. Inlet Beach Regional has ample parking, ADA-accessible restrooms, an ADA-accessible ramp, a lifeguard stand, bike parking, showers, and a flag indicating surf conditions. Beach wheelchairs are also available at Inlet Beach with a signed waiver and must be operated by an on-duty lifeguard. Call the SWFD at
(850) 267-1298 for additional information.
wheelchair–friendly west panama beach access
Camp Helen State Park
There is a $4 per vehicle fee to enter the park.
Camp Helen State Park combines history with natural beauty. Tour the visitor center to learn about the prehistoric middens and mounds dating back 4,000 years ago or the Avondale Mill Company, which converted the property into an employee retreat. Historic buildings are available to tour. The park also offers a beach wheelchair. Please contact a park ranger at the visitor center by calling (850) 233-5059 if interested.
recent stories
Explore and discover all of the Emerald coast.
Sandcastle Kids: Healing Hearts
Sandcastle Kids, a South Walton 501c3 nonprofit, carries out their healing mission by providing all-expenses-paid vacations to families experiencing a diagnosis of childhood cancer. As you can imagine, these families undergo tremendous mental, emotional, and financial...
The Secret History of Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay
There’s an odd cluster of pilings on the eastern edge of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Ever noticed them when driving north across the bridge? These aren’t the remains of an ill-fated attempt at a bridge, but are part of a system capable of detecting low-flying aircraft...
Serving in Seaside for 23 Years and Counting
Bartender Mo Mosely has been greeting patrons and slinging drinks at Bud and Alley’s rooftop bar for 23 years (and counting). Back before Scenic 30A was the bustling, year-round destination that it is today, Bud and Alley’s was the only bar on 30A open late into the...