GULF
ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
Gulf Breeze, Florida and Ocean Springs, Mississippi
, FL,MS
Description
More than 80 percent of Gulf Islands National Seashore
is under water, but the barrier islands are the most
outstanding features to those who visit. The Seashore
stretches 160 miles from Cat Island in Mississippi
to the eastern tip of Santa Rosa Island in Florida.
There are snowy-white beaches, sparkling blue waters,
fertile coastal marshes, and dense maritime forests.
Visitors can explore 19th century forts, enjoy shaded
picnic areas, hike on winding nature trails, and camp
in comfortable campgrounds. In addition, Horn and
Petit Bois Islands located in Mississippi are federally
designated wilderness areas. Nature, history, and
recreational opportunities abound in this national
treasure.
Contact Information
Park Headquarters
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563-5000
- or -
Mississippi Headquarters
3500 Park Road
Ocean Springs, MS 39564-9709
By Phone
Visitor Information- Florida: 228-875-9057,#2
Visitor Information- Mississippi: 228-875-9057,#2
By Fax: 228-872-2954
Operating Hours & Seasons
Notice: The Florida District of National Seashore
is currently closed to all visitation because of the
sustained damage from Hurricane Ivan on September
15, 2004. All Mississippi District islands, except
West Ship ISland, are open to the public.
The park is open year-round, although operating hours
vary seasonally and from unit to unit.
Getting There
Plane
The nearest airports are in Gulfport, Mississippi,
Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida.
Car
Notice: Many of the bridges are closed around the
Pensacola, Florida area because of Hurricane Ivan.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is currently
closed.
To get to Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens and Santa
Rosa areas take U.S. 98 east from Pensacola, Florida.
The Naval Live Oaks area is just east of Gulf Breeze
on U.S. 98. To reach Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa,
take Florida Route 399 from Gulf Breeze across the
toll bridge to Pensacola Beach. From there, Fort
Pickens is nine miles west, and the Santa Rosa area
is 10 miles east. The Oakaloosa Area is on U.S.
98 east of Fort Walton Beach. To reach the mainland
forts on board Pensacola Naval Air Station use Blue
Angle Parkway (Florida Route 173). Florida Route
292 leads southwest from Pensacola to Perdido Key
Area. On the island turn left onto Johnson Beach
Road. Mississippi District. Use exits 50 or 57 south
from I-10. The Davis Bayou area is on US-90, east
of downtown Ocean Springs. Seasonal passenger ferry
to West Ship Island leaves from the Gulfport Yacht
Harbor near the intersection of US-90 and US-49
in Gulfport, MS.
Bus
Greyhound buses stop in Biloxi and Gulfport, MS.
The terminal in downton Gulfport is on 13th Street,
about .5 mile from Ship Island Ferry.
Public Transportation
No public transportation is available in the Florida
District.
Coast Transit Authority (CTA) buses stop outside the
entrance to Davis Bayou at the Sav-A-Center on US-90
and Ocean Springs, MS Road. In Gulfport, MS CTA buses
will, upon request, driver through the Yacht Harbor
and drop off persons taking the Ship Island Ferry.
Getting Around
Visitors get around the park by private vehicle,
private boat, bicycle, or by foot.
Golden Access Pass
Details
This free, lifetime Federal fee area permit is available
to all citizens of the United States or persons domiciled
(permanent residents) in the United States, regardless
of age, who have been medically determined to have
a permanent physical, mental or sensory impairement
that substantially limits one or more life activities,
including the caring of one's self, performing manual
tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing,
learning or working. It is not necessary for an individual
to be receiving benefits, only to qualify for benefits.
Golden Age Passport
Details
Golden Age Passport is a life-time permit for United
States citizens who are 62 years of age or older.
The passport allows free entrance to all National
Park areas and a 50% discount on user fees such as
camping.
Golden Age Passport
Details
Golden Age Passport is a life-time permit for United
States citizens who are 62 years of age or older.
The passport allows free entrance to all National
Park areas and a 50% discount on user fees such as
camping.
Golden Eagle Upgrade
Details
This upgrade to the National Park Pass allows free
entrance to all federal facilities that charge an
entrance fee.
Individual, hiker, bicycler,etc.
Details
Entrance fees are charges at Fort Pickens, Perdido
Key and Santa Rosa Area.
National Park Pass
Details
Provides entrance to all National Park areas.
Private, non-commercial vehicle
Details
Entrance fees are charges for Fort Pickens, Perdido
Key and Santa Rosa Area.
LOCAL PASSPORT
Annual Park Pass
Details
Provides entrance to fee areas including Fort Pickens,
Opal Beach at Santa Rosa, and Perdido Key.
FL Night Owl Permit , requires Annual Park Pass
Details
Night Owl Permit extends hour-of-access for single
private vehicle. Requires an annual pass bearing a
matching signature to the permit (limit 2 signatures).
ACTIVITIES
Biking, Bird Watching, Boating, Camping, Fishing,
Hiking, Interpretive Programs, Nature Walks, Scuba
Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming
CAMPING
Davis Bayou Campground
Open All Year
Phone: 228-875-3962
Details
Davis Bayou Campground reopens September 25, 2004
There are 51 sites each with hookups for water and
electricity. A bathhouse is centrally located in the
campground with hot showers, telephone and a dump
station. The campground uses the self-registration
system. Campsites are on a first come-first served
basis. Campground visits are limited to a maximum
of 30 nights per calendar year per camping party.
Electric sites are $16 per night and non-electric
are $14 per night.
Fort Pickens Campground
Open All Year
Reservations: Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
Notice: The Fort Pickens Campground is currently closed
due to damage resulting from Hurricane Ivan on September
15, 2004. The campground is closed indefinitely. Located
on the west end of Santa Rosa Island, south of Pensacola,the
Fort Pickens Campground has 200 sites. Campsites feature
paved parking pads, picnic tables, grills, water and
electric hook-ups, and are located in an area which
includes grass, pine, and oak trees. The Gulf of Mexico
and Pensacola Bay are a short walking distance from
the campground. All sites have electricity and are
$20 per night. Overnight stays are limited to 44 days
per calendar year, with no more than 14 days between
March 1 and Labor Day.
Fort Pickens Group Area
Open All Year
Reservations: Online or by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Details
Notice: The Fort Pickens Group Area is closed indefinitely
due to damage from Hurricane Ivan on September 15,
2004. Overnite use of the Fort Pickens Group Tenting
Area is limited to organized groups. There is a minimum
of 10 and a maximum of 40 people allowed. Overnight
fees for use of the group camping area are as follows:
Groups of 10 through 25 persons: $20 Groups of 26
through 40 persons: $30 The Group Area has flush toilets,
unheated showers and no electrical outlets in the
bathrooms. Also available are grills and picnic tables.
Horn, Petit Bois and East Ship Islands
Open All Year
Phone: (228) 875-9057
Details
Primitive camping is available on Horn, Petit Bois
and East Ship Islands, accessible only by boat. Visitors
can enjoy hiking, beachcombing, swimming and birdwatching
on these picturesque and tranquil islands. A 20-foot
or longer craft is recommended for use on the open
water. Inland water craft such as bass boats and pontoon
party barges are not suitable for travel to 10-12
miles from shore. Campers must provide all supplies
needed for their trip including extra food and water.
Never camp on dune tops as this damages vegetation
and fragile dune formations. Fires are permitted on
the beach below the extreme tide line. Do not build
fires on dunes or in wooded areas. Insect repellent
and mosquito netting are recommended as well as long
sleeve shirts, pants and sunscreen. Practice Leave
No Trace Outdoor Ethics (wwwLNT.org).Keep a respectful
distance from wildlife. Please call (228) 875-9057
to inquire about transportation out to the island
and to find out more.
Naval Live Oaks Youth Group Tent Area
Open All Year
Details
Notice: The Naval Live Oaks Group Tenting Area is
closed indefinitely due to damage from Hurricane Ivan
on September 15, 2004. Overnite use of the Naval Live
Oaks Group Tenting Area is limited to organized youth
groups comprised primarily of young people under the
age of 18. Youths (17 years of age or younger) using
the area will be supervised by one adult for every
10 youth in the group. There is a minimum of 10 and
a maximum of 40 people allowed. Overnight fees are
as follows: Groups of 10 through 25 persons: $20 Groups
of 26 through 40 persons: $30. The Group area has
flush toilets, unheated showers and no electrical
outlets in the bathrooms. Also available are grills,
picnic tables and a fire circle.
Perdido Key Area
Open All Year
Details
Notice: The Perdido Key Area including the backcountry
is closed due to damage from Hurricane Ivan on September
15, 2004. The roadless portion of Perdido Key, beginning
one-half mile east of the end of the paved road and
extending to the east end of the island, is available
for primitive camping. Access must be by boat or on
foot; vehicles are not permitted. If you plan on leaving
a vehicle parked overnight in the parking lot, a permit
must be obtained from a Ranger, prior to setting up
a campsite. Call (850) 934-2623 for information; the
permit must be obtained from the ranger on duty. Camp
only on the beach and avoid dunes and vegetated areas.
Fires are permitted while camping in this area, but
must be built below the high tide line.
PERMITS
Night Owl Pass- Fort Pickens
Details
The special permit for after-hours use at Fort Pickens
and Perdido Key areas. Sold at Campground registration
and Perdido Key entrance station. The Permit is
also sold at the Fort Picken entrance station when
campground registration is closed. Requires an annual
pass bearing a matching signature to the permit.
(limit 2 signatures)
SPECIAL USE PERMITS
Special Use Permit
Details
Special use permits are needed for any special activity
in the park such as a wedding, reunion, or large
gatherings.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The weather is hot and humid most of the year especially
in summer; cool and moderate in the winter; and
comfortable spring and fall.
http://www.nps.gov/guis/extended/home.htm
