Offshore islands with sparkling white sand beaches, historic forts and related historic structures, nature trails and adjacent open waters. Mainland features include salt marshes and bayous in Mississippi and a Naval Live Oak Reservation and military forts in Florida. The National Seashore was authorized in January, 1971 in order to preserve for public use and enjoyment certain areas possessing outstanding natural, historic and recreational values. The authorized acreage for Gulf Islands National Seashore is 135,625 acres.

VISITATION:

Highest in May or June and July; lowest in January and February.

LOCATION:

Pensacola, Florida area and Ocean Springs, Mississippi area

ADDRESS:

Florida District
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Mississippi District
3500 Park Road
Ocean Springs, MS 39564

TELEPHONE:

Florida (850) 934-2600
Mississippi (228) 875-0821

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Open daily at each area from 8 a.m. to sunset. Fort and visitor center hours vary with the season. Generally from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the remainder of the year. Forts and visitor centers are closed on Christmas Day.

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

Sunny, humid, rainy periods throughout the year. Winters are usually mild; occasional sub-freezing temperatures. Hot and humid summers. Comfortable seasonal leisure wear with walking shoes.

DIRECTIONS:

Florida - To reach the historic mainland forts use the main entrance of Pensacola Naval Air Station about one mile south of Barrancas Avenue, FL 292, on Navy Boulevard, FL 295. Florida 292 leads southwest from Pensacola to Perdido Key. On the island turn left on Johnson Beach Road. To get to Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa Areas, take U.S. 98 east from Pensacola across Pensacola Bay to Gulf Breeze. Naval Live Oaks Area is just east of Gulf Breeze on U.S. 98. For Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa, take FL 399 from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach. From there, Fort Pickens is nine miles west, while Santa Rosa Area's facilities are ten miles east. Okaloosa is on U.S. 98, east of Fort Walton Beach.

Mississippi - To reach Davis Bayou on the mainland in Ocean Springs, follow the signs for Gulf Islands National Seashore along I-10 and U.S. 90. The islands in the Mississippi district are about ten miles offshore and can be reached only by boat. Concession boat trips to West Ship Island from Gulfport are scheduled from March through October. Consult the concessioner's printed schedule for frequency and times. Private boats may dock near Fort Massachusetts on West Ship Island in the daytime all year.

MAP OF SEASHORE, PENSACOLA AREA (21k)

MAP OF SEASHORE, OCEAN SPRINGS AREA (8k)

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Florida - accessible by Interstate Highways I-10 and I-110. Mississippi - accessible by Interstate Highway I-10 and U.S. 90.
In Park: Personal vehicle, bicycle, tour buses and West Ship Island by boat. Also East Ship Island, Horn Island and Petit Bois Island by charter boat or private boat.

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

Florida District-entrance fee is $6 per vehicle for seven days or $20 for annual permit.
Camping is available in Mississippi district for $16 per night for electrical sites and $14 per night for non-electrical sites and in Florida District for $20 per night for electric sites and $15 per night for non-electric sites..

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
Separate geographic areas make up Gulf Islands National Seashore. In Mississippi there are five areas: East and West Ship Island, Horn Island, Petit Bois Island and Davis Bayou Area on the mainland. In Florida there are six areas: Perdido Key, Fort Barrancas and Advanced Redoubt, Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa Areas.

Visitor centers/contact stations are at Davis Bayou and West Ship Island in Mississippi and at Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas in Florida.

Campgrounds are located at Davis Bayou in Mississippi and at Fort Pickens Area in Florida. Picnic areas are located at each area in Florida and at Davis Bayou and West Ship Island in Mississippi.

Horn Island and Petit Bois Island in Mississippi were designated as wilderness areas in 1978. Primitive camping is permitted on these islands as well as East Ship Island in Mississippi.

Primitive camping is also allowed on the beach at the east end of Perdido Key Area in Florida.

Trails, Roads:

Roadways connect the six separate geographic locations in Florida. A passenger ferry service from Gulfport to West Ship Island operates from March through October in Mississippi. The mainland portion of Davis Bayou in Mississippi is reached by roads.

Since Hurricane Opal in 1995, new roads have been constructed at Santa Rosa and Fort Pickens Areas. Visitors are reminded that roadside parking is not allowed at these areas. Park only in designated beach parking lots. Consider car pooling or using shuttles to designated drop off points within the Seashore areas during busy holiday weekends like Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. Use boardwalks or designated paths to beaches to prevent dune erosion.

Self-guiding nature trails are located in Davis Bayou, Mississippi and at Fort Pickens, Perdido Key, Fort Barrancas and Naval Live Oaks in Florida.

Live Oak Bicycle Trail at Davis Bayou and the bike trail at Fort Pickens Area offer scenic routes in the park for bicyclists.

The northern terminus of the Florida National Scenic Trail is at the Santa Rosa Area and Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Programs

Various interpretive programs provided throughout the year. Consult seasonal activity schedule for dates and times. Fort tours both self-guided and ranger led. Swimming, boating, picnic areas and visitor centers which provide exhibits, book sales and other theme-related sales items.

Lodging and camping facilities:

 

Florida District

- Fort Pickens Campground is open daily with 200 sites. Reservations are available through the National Park Reservation Service 1-800-365-2267 or for the hearing impaired at the TDD number, 1-888-530-9796, or follow this hyperlink . There is a group campground at Fort Pickens and Youth Group Campground at Naval Live Oaks Area that can be reserved for a fee.

Mississippi District

- Davis Bayou Campground is open daily with 51 sites; no reservations; self-registration. The area also has a group tent area.

Motels and hotels are available in both Mississippi and Florida Districts.

Food/supplies:

Snacks are available seasonally at the Perdido Key Area, Fort Pickens Area, Ship Island Ferry and West Ship Island. Food and supplies are available seasonally from the Fort Pickens Area campground store. Local restaurants and grocery stores are open year-round.

Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

Eastern National operates sales outlets at Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas and Naval Live Oaks in Florida and at Davis Bayou and West Ship Island in Mississippi. Concession boat to West Ship Island operated by Pan Isles, Inc .

Accessibility:

Most areas and facilities of the national seahorse are accessible. Contact the park for an accessibility site bulletin for more information.

Special Needs:

Parking areas at each site are available for buses. Visitor parking is available at each site.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:

Swimming, fishing, boating, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, bird watching, walking, picnicking and historical sight-seeing at the forts.

For information on archeology, visit SEAC

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations for guided school group programs or other educational groups should be made at least a month in advance to assure availability. Visitors should apply for special use permits one month in advance. Filming permits are issued based on individual requests and should be made one month in advance. For additional information call (850) 934-2600 in FL or (228) 875-9057 in MS.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Stay from one hour to five hours; and may require nearly four days for leisurely visit to all sites and areas in both districts.

SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:

Florida has an annual beach cleanup in September and a holiday program in December. Candlelight tours and rifle demonstrations are given at Fort Pickens from spring through fall on designated weekends.
In Mississippi annual beach cleanups are in September and May. There is a program to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd and a Thanksgiving Open House.
Call the visitor center in each district to get dates and times for all of the above:
Florida (850)934-2600
Mississippi (228)875-0821

VISITOR IMPACTS:

Visitors are reminded to use the boardwalks or designated paths to the beaches to prevent dune erosion. The dunes stabilize the islands which in turn provide protection to the mainland during storms. Protect seagrass beds by swimming or snorkeling over them, and not walking through them. The seagrass beds provide a nursery for much of the commercial seafood and other marine life, and are extremely fragile.

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

The Gulf Breeze Zoo, Gulfarium and the Indian Temple Mound Museum are accessible in Florida along U.S. Highway 98. Seville Historic District and T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum are located in the downtown area of Pensacola. The Beauvoir-Jefferson Davis Home and the Marine Education Center are in Biloxi. The Walter Anderson Museum and Fort Maurepas are in Ocean Springs, Mississippi; accessible from U.S. Highway 90 and I-10.

VISITOR SAFETY NOTES:

Do not swim alone in unguarded waters. When diving, practice "feet first, first time." Be cautious about rip currents, jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, and barnacle-covered rocks. Boaters should be familiar with the "Rules of the Road." Be alert for sudden storms. During thunderstorms, seek shelter. Notify a ranger promptly of any accidents. Watch your steps while exploring the forts and batteries. First aid is available at ranger stations.

VISITOR REGULATIONS:

No glass containers are permitted on the Mississippi islands or the beaches within the Seashore in Florida. All trash must be removed as you leave. All plants, animals and historic objects in the park are protected by law. Motor vehicles must remain on the roads. Metal detectors are prohibited. Bird nesting areas may be posted as closed to all entry during the nesting season. Keep pets on leashes; they are not allowed on beaches, on tour boats, or in buildings. Do not feed or disturb wildlife.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write Park Headquarters: 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, or call (850) 934-2600.
3500 Park Road, Ocean Springs, MS 39564 or call (228) 875- 0821.