Gulf Islands National Seashore

Coming up:

• Nov 1 – Mar 31: Winter Season

Located on the western end of Santa Rosa Island, the Fort Pickens Area of the park offers a variety of visitor experiences including fishing, hiking, swimming, camping, and touring historic coastal defense structures. There is an entrance fee to visit the Fort Pickens Area. To contact a park ranger, get a stamp, or program information visit the historic Fort Pickens. Park store hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Naval Live Oaks is located on U.S. 98 east of Gulf Breeze, Florida. The fee-free area features many hiking trails and an overlook. Also great for fishing or launching a kayak. Additionally, there is a youth group camping and picnic area available by reservation only. Day use area only open form 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Report to Fort Pickens to purchase park passes and stamps.

Coming up:

• Nov 1 – Mar 31: Winter Season
• Nov 1 – Mar 31: Winter Season

Located on U.S. 98 on the far eastern end of Santa Rosa Island, the Okaloosa Area of the park offers visitors the opportunity to swim, picnic, as well as a boat launch.

Santa Rosa Area (Opal Beach) is a fragile barrier island made up largely of fine quartz sand held together by plants adapted to this harsh environment. It provides habitat for many shore birds, small animals and nesting sea turtles. An entrance fee is charged at this day-use area. No overnight parking or camping allowed. Santa Rosa is a pack-in and pack-out park so please keep our beaches clean. Glass containers and pets are not allowed on the beaches.

Perdido Key is located off Florida Route 292 southwest of Pensacola. There is an entrance fee to visit the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and primitive camping are available year-round. No overnight parking allowed.

This barrier island is located roughly 10 miles off the Mississippi coast and offers dramatic scenery, but limited facilities. The island is accessible year round by private boat. Primitive camping is allowed on the island. (Groups of 10 or more are required to get a permit).

This barrier island is located roughly 10 miles off the Mississippi coast and offers dramatic scenery, but limited facilities. The island is accessible year-round by private boat. This island is protected by the wilderness act and all activities with groups of 10 or more are required to get a permit to include camping.

This barrier island is located roughly 10 miles off the Mississippi coast and offers dramatic scenery, but limited facilities. The island is accessible year-round by private boat. This island is protected by the wilderness act and all activities with groups of 10 or more are required to get a permit to include camping.

This barrier island is located roughly 10 miles off the Mississippi coast. Free tours and exhibits at Fort Massachusetts, a swim beach, pavilions, restrooms, showers, and snack bar are available seasonally. A passenger ferry is available March through October, and the island is accessible year-round by private boat. Camping is not permitted on Ship Island. For Massachusetts is open 10:15 am - 2:15 pm Wednesday - Sunday during the operating season.

This barrier island is located roughly 10 miles off the Mississippi coast and offers dramatic scenery, but limited facilities. The island is accessible year round by private boat. Primitive camping is allowed on the National Park Service owned portion of the island. (Groups of 10 or more are required to get a permit).

The Fort Barrancas Visitor Center, Fort Barrancas, and Spanish Water Battery are open on select days from 9 am–4 pm, with last entry to Fort Barrancas and the Spanish Water Battery at 3:30 pm. Advanced Redoubt (exterior only) is open daily 9 am–4 pm.

The Fort Barrancas Visitor Center, Fort Barrancas, and Spanish Water Battery are open on Saturday and Sunday.

Currently the only park store in Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in the entrance to Fort Pickens. This is seven miles from the Fort Pickens Entrance Station. From the parking lot of the fort look for the arch in the fort and the store is on the right.

Items can only be purchased instore. This is a primary location for park stamps.

Park store is subject to closures due to weather and/or holidays.

William M. Colmer Visitor Center

Coming up:

• Nov 26: Thanksgiving (closed)

Visitors can find the park's passport stamp there, view a park orientation film and exhibits, and purchase items at the book store. Free park and trail maps, local orientation and other information is available. Please call (228) 230-4100 to contact visitor center staff.

Fort Barrancas Visitor Center

The Fort Barrancas Visitor Center is open 9 am to 4 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Last entry to the fort is at 3:30 pm. Entrance through west gate on Naval Air Station Pensacola. Visit the base website for entrance instructions.

Fort Pickens Visitor Center

Ranger and volunteers staff the Discovery Center. Hours dependent upon weather, holidays, and park events.

Consistent with CDC recommendations, people who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. All people, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask on all forms of enclosed public transportation. Additional details are available at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.