[4] The park's facilities, including cabins and a casino, were built in the 1930s by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps working under the auspices of the Federal government.

[2] Major projects undertaken in the wake of the storm saw the construction of a 1,540-foot (470 m) Gulf of Mexico fishing pier[3] that provides 2,448 feet of fishing space,[6] a 5,000-square-foot swimming pool and splash pad, an interactive nature center, a beach pavilion, and renovation of the campground.

In October 2014, a lawsuit was filed by the Gulf Restoration Network to block use of the funds for the construction of the lodge.

[12] The park has been inducted into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for winning its Certificate of Excellence five years in a row.

[2] The park includes 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of white sand beaches, a modern campground,[13] and nature trails,[14] both fresh and saltwater fishing and swimming, a lodge and cottages plus campsites for both RVs and tents.