How to Enjoy Gulf Island National Seashore

Straddling the Florida panhandle and stretching to lower Mississippi, Gulf Islands National Seashore contains more than 135,000 acres of beaches, bayous, barrier islands, forts and other historic sites. There is plenty to explore here, either by yourself or on a guided tour, and the variety of things to see and do makes this park a great destination for the whole family.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunscreen
• Beach Towels
• Swimsuits
• Picnic Basket
• Hiking Boots
• Camping Gear
• Swimming Trunks
• Film
• Bathing Suits
• Cameras
• Weather Radios
• Sunglasses
• Maps
• Insect Repellents

1. Decide when to go. High season is summer, with most visitors arriving May through July. The park, including the campgrounds, is open all year, however, so you may choose to go earlier or later in the year.

2. Choose your lodging. There are only two campgrounds in the park, one in Florida and one in Mississippi, and they fill up fast in summer. Access the online U.S. National Parks Reservation Service (reservations.nps.gov) to make a reservation. You can also choose lodging in a nearby town.

3. Pay your day-use fee at the gate ($8 per vehicle) and then stop in at a visitor center for information, maps and trail guides before heading into the park. These are located along U.S. Highway 98 at the Naval Live Oaks area in Florida and at Ocean Springs in Mississippi.

4. See the park's historic forts. The main forts are Fort Pickens, completed in 1834 to defend Pensacola Bay; and Fort Barrancas, first constructed by the British in 1763. Both are located in the Florida District.

5. Enjoy the beaches. The various beaches are perfect for picnicking, strolling, swimming, boating and sunbathing. Florida's Fort Pickens, Perdido Key, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa, and Mississippi's Davis Bayou are popular beach areas.

6. Visit the barrier islands. Passenger boats provide service to Ship Island from Gulfport, Mississippi. On the island, you can see Fort Massachusetts, walk the beach or cross the island on a boardwalk. Check with the shuttle services for other islands that may be visited.

7. Take some time to visit nearby attractions, including the Indian Temple Mound Museum in Florida and Fort Maurepas in Mississippi.

Tips & Warnings

• To contact the park directly, write to Park Headquarters, Gulf Islands National Seashore, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, or call [phone].
• Pets must be on a leash and are not allowed on beaches, on tour boats or in buildings.
• Primitive camping is permitted in the Mississippi District on East Ship, Horn and Petit Bois islands. No permits are required.
• Late summer and fall mark the beginning of hurricane season in the southeast. Stay tuned to the local weather forecast to listen for weather warnings.
• When walking on the dunes, always stay on boardwalks to prevent erosion.
• Glass containers and metal detectors are prohibited on beaches within the park.