Make A Selection

Visit Official Website

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Island beaches, sparkling waters, bayous, historic forts and recreational opportunities are plentiful in Gulf Islands National Seashore, the nation’s largest. Open year-round, the Seashore is in Mississippi and Florida. Gentle breezes, tides and hurricanes constantly reshape this dynamic landscape.

The Basics

Hours:

All of the Mississippi islands in the Seashore are open to park visitation unless posted.

Davis Bayou Area 6:00 am - 10:00 pm.
Visitor Center 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Visitor Center Grounds 8:00 am - sunset.
West Ship Island 7:00 am - sunset.
Fort Massachusetts 10:00 am - 4:30 pm (Summer) or 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Spring and Fall).

All areas of the Florida District are open year-round unless posted. Operating hours vary seasonally and from unit to unit. Because of hurricane damage all areas are closed at dark. However, visitors with back country camping or Night Owl permits on Perdido Key or campers at the Naval Live Oaks group campground may access the areas after dark.

Naval Live Oaks 8:00 am - sunset.
Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Fort Pickens Open for self guided tours 8:00 am - sunset.
Fort Barrancas Visitor Center (Seasonal Hours):
March-October 9:30 am - 4:45 pm.
November-February 8:30 am - 3:45 pm.
Tours given daily at 2:00 pm.
Advanced Redoubt Tours given Saturdays at 11:00 am.
Okaloosa Area (Day Use Only) 7:00 am - sunset.
Santa Rosa Area (Day Use Only) 8:00 am - sunset.
Perdido Key Area (Day Use Only) 8:00 am - sunset (Extended hours for primitive camping and Night Owl permits).

Address:

1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Phone:

850-934-2600

Fax:

850-932-2954

Directions

Gulf Islands National Seashore is in Florida and Mississippi and both districts are south of Interstate 10. In Mississippi, use Exit 57 or 50 to US Highway 90 to Ocean Springs. In Florida, use Exit 12 to I-110 or Exit 22 to the Garcon Point Bridge to US Highway 98.

Directions to Florida District
The Perdido Key Area is off Florida Route 292, southwest from Pensacola; turn east on Johnson Beach Road.

Naval Live Oaks is on U. S. 98 east of Gulf Breeze, Florida.

The Okaloosa Day Use Area is on U. S. 98 east of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

To reach Fort Barrancas and the Advanced Redoubt on board Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida, use the Blue Angel Parkway (Florida Route 173).

The Fort Pickens Area is west of Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island. The damaged Fort Pickens Road is closed to vehicles but visitors may currently use it for biking or hiking.

The Santa Rosa Area is located east of Pensacola Beach. The J. Earle Bowden Way (State Road 399) is closed to vehicles but visitors may walk or boat into the area.

Climate

Island beaches,sparkling waters, bayous, historic forts and recreational opportunities are plentiful in Gulf Islands National Seashore, the nation's largest. Open year-round, the Seashore is in Mississippi and Florida. Gentle breezes, tides and hurricanes constantly reshape this dynamic landscape.

Link to our Pensacola Weather coverage for more information.

Fees

Per Person: $3.00
Per Vehicle: $8.00
Additional fees for camping.

Reservations

Camping reservations recommended.

Things To Do

Gulf Islands National Seashore is a 12 unit park located in Mississippi and Florida. The two districts are about a two-hour drive apart.

You can drive to some park areas and take a boat to others. Both districts offer developed campgrounds and primitive camping. The park operates four visitor centers in both states for you to stop at and plan your visit. Gulf Islands is a great place for outdoor activities like bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, beach combing, bird watching, and boating. With so many options you can choose your activities to fit your vacation needs!

Outdoor Boating and Fishing

The waters of Gulf Islands National Seashore are home to many species of fish, shrimp and crabs. Daily tides blend nutrient-rich bayous and estuaries with the Gulf of Mexico, creating an ideal habitat for a wide variety of undersea creatures.

Visitors interested in fishing in the Mississippi District and the Florida District have many options, from spending a lazy afternoon fishing on the bayou to battling spirited gamefish offshore or learning the traditional art of throwing a cast net on a ranger-led program.

Boating

Boating in Mississippi and Florida is both rewarding and challenging. Properly prepared boaters can enjoy exploring Mississippi’s remote barrier islands and Florida’s sparkling white beaches. To ensure a safe boating trip to any part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, make sure you are familiar with boating safety regulations for Mississippi and Florida.

Safe boating at Gulf Islands National Seashore requires a 20-foot or longer craft. Inland water boats such as bass boats or pontoon boats are not suitable for travel to the islands. Bringing an updated nautical chart of the travel area will help you identify shoals, obstructions and shallow water. Understand the current personal watercraft regulations (PWC) for the park.

Make sure you file a float plan with a trusted friend or family member. Float plan information should include where you are going (which island and a specific location), when you are going, who is with you, when you will be back and who to contact if you don’t come back in time. Your float plan should also include description of your vessel, the boat registration number and where you will leave your boat trailer and vehicle.

Boaters should bring the right anchoring equipment. Be aware of tidal fluctuations and be prepared to move your boat when the tides and weather change.

Glass bottles are not permitted on barrier islands.
There are no trash cans on the islands. Pack out what you pack in. Trash should be contained at all times.
Fragile sea grass beds serve as nurseries for many species of sea life. Do not anchor in sea grass beds.
Watch for posted beach closures and stay out of those areas. Certain sections of beaches may be closed from March – August to protect nesting osprey and beach-nesting shorebirds.

Should you have an emergency while boating in park waters, be prepared to contact the United States Coast Guard via your marine VHF radio. You should also be prepared to contact a friend or commercial towing service. Park rangers may be available to assist but rangers will not tow a disabled vessel. You may not be able to call for help with a cell phone, as cell service on most islands is not reliable.

Link to our Pensacola Boating and Fishing coverage for more information.

Biking

Mississippi District

Mississippi's 15.5 mile round-trip Live Oaks Bicycle Route connects the Davis Bayou Area of the Seashore to the town of Ocean Springs at the Old Louisville and Nashville Train Depot. Follow the green and white bike-route signs on the right side of the city streets. Live Oaks Bicycling Route maps are available at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Florida District

Naval Live Oaks

Visitors can cycle on the paved 2.5 mile section of the 40-mile bike loop that is adjacent to U. S. Highway 98.

Fort Pickens

The road is closed to vehicular traffic but visitors may cycle to Fort Pickens, which is a 14-mile round-trip. There is approximately one mile of paved road starting at the entrance gate, then one mile of sand before the road begins again.

Perdido Key

Visitors can cycle on a paved road from the entrance gate to the end of the Perdido Key Road. Round-trip is approximately 5 miles.

Link to our Pensacola Biking coverage for more information.

Home Page \| Advertising \| Site Map \| Contact Go-Florida-Vacation.com
Copyright 1998 - 2008