From Wikitravel

Gulf Islands National Seashore[1] is a National Park along the Gulf of Mexico in the United States of America.

[edit] Understand

This 12-unit National Park protects barrier islands along the Gulf coast of the states of Mississippi and Florida. The two state units are about a two hour drive apart. Gulf Islands National Seashore offers historical exploration, camping, recreational options and some of the finest white sand beaches. Many areas are closed with storm damage - the list changes frequently, so check right before you plan to visit.

• Park Headquarters, 850-934-2600

[edit] History

• In 1828, John Quincy Adams designated the Naval Live Oaks Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore as the first United States tree farm. Live oak trees are known for their incredible density and resistance to disease. They provided durable wood for the construction of early naval vessels.

• In the 1880s, Geronimo and other members of the Chiricahua-Apache tribe were prisoners at Fort Pickens.

• Gulf Islands National Seashore was authorized on January 8, 1971.

[edit] Landscape

[edit] Flora and fauna

Of the seven species of sea turtles, four nest at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

[edit] Climate

The Seashore is is sunny and warm most of the year. June through September are the most humid months and afternoon thunderstorms are common. The Seashore has been hit by numerous hurricanes throughout the years. Hurricane season is June through November.

[edit] Get in

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Mississippi District

• The Davis Bayou Area is on U.S. 90, east of downtown Ocean Springs, MS. Use Exit 50 or 57 south from I-10.
• Islands. The islands are not accessible by automobile. Visitors to the Seashore’s barrier islands can enjoy island camping on all the islands but West Ship Island. Other activities include beachcombing, birdwatching, swimming, and fishing. NPS list of boat operators.
  • Horn Island, Petit Bois Island, and East Ship Island are open year-round to private boaters.
  • West Ship Island is open to private boaters from sunrise to sunset.
  • The two miles of the western tip of Cat Island are within the Seashore boundary and are open to private boaters.
  • A Pan Isles passenger ferry, Gulfport Yacht Harbor, Phone: 1-866-466-7386, [2]. Takes visitors out to West Ship Island March through October.

[edit] Fees/Permits

• Entrance fees: Per Pedestrian/cyclist (7 days) $3; Per Vehicle (7 days) $8; GUIS Annual Pass $ 25.00. National Park Service passes are accepted.
• Fees apply for camping. See Sleep section below.

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

• Fort Pickens, Fort Pickens Road (closed to cars in 2006), western Santa Rosa Island, 850-934-2600, [3]. Daily 8AM-sunset. Built to defend Pensacola Bay in the 1830s. Self guided tours open to hikers, bikers, and boaters. It saw heavy use in the Civil War and World War II. Access to some areas is restricted due to storm damage, as of October 2006.

• Naval Live Oaks Center, off Highway 98, Gulf Breeze, FL, Phone: 850-934-2600. Daily 8:30AM to 4:30PM. An indoor hands-on exhibit on shipbuilding with Live Oak wood. Beaches and trails.

• Fort Barrancas Area Visitor Center, Taylor Road (about a half mile east from the Museum of Naval Aviation), Phone: 850-455-5167. March-October at 9:30AM-4:45PM and November-February at 8:30AM-3:45PM. This center shows a 15 minute slide presentation on the history of Pensacola during the Civil War and has exhibits related to the fort. Bookstore, restrooms.
  • Fort Barrancas, Tours daily at 2PM. Constructed between 1839-1844, was one of four forts built to protect the Pensacola Navy Yard.
  • Bateria de San Antonio stands at the base of the barranca, or bluff, just below. It retains some of the Spanish ornamentation, and includes a rifle gallery and rear wall added by U. S. Army engineers. An underground passage connects the Water Battery to Fort Barrancas.
  • The Advanced Redoubt. Daily from November-February 8:30AM-3:45PM; March - October 9:30AM-4:45PM. One hour tours Sat. 11AM. Reached by the half-mile "Trench Trail" from the visitor center. It was built from 1845 to 1870 to defend the northern side of the peninsula from land-based attack.

• Fort Massachusetts, on West Ship Island twelve miles off the Mississippi coastline is reachable by boat or ferry from Gulfport, MS. Visitors must be prepared for sun and lack of water on the island. Bathrooms, a concession, and water are available on board the ferries. Visitors are required to pack out everything they bring to the island. A one-third mile trek is required to reach the Gulf beach on the island's south side. Large ice chests, wagons, bulky items, and glass containers are prohibited on the ferries. Ranger-guided tours are offered March-October.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Hiking

• Naval Live Oaks has nine hiking trails including the historic Andrew Jackson Trail.
• The Florida Trail[4] also runs between Santa Rosa Island and Big Cypress National Preserve.

[edit] Bicycling

• Naval Live Oaks - A paved 2.5 mile section of the 40-mile bike loop that runs alongside US Highway 98.
• Fort Pickens - The road is closed to vehicular traffic but cyclists may ride 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 - A five mile route runs from the entrance gate to the end of the Perdido Key Road.
• Davis Bayou Area - Mississippi's 15.5 mile round-trip Live Oaks Bicycle Route connects to the town of Ocean Springs at the Old Louisville and Nashville Train Depot. Green and white bike-route signs on the right side of the city streets mark the route. Maps are available at the Gulf Islands Visitor Contact Station and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

[edit] Camping

Facilities are closed in 2006 due to hurricane damage and FEMA use. Loop "A" campground open Ft. Pickens campground.

• Fort Pickens Campground, Fort Pickens Rd. Campground loop "A" is open to hikers and bikers, $10 a night payable at the campground registration station. Potable water, cold showers, bathrooms, picnic table, cook grill and fire ring.
• Davis Bayou Group Campground, Ocean Springs, MS, 228-875-3962. It is available to groups of 10 or more people, with a maximum limit of 40.

[edit] Backcountry

[edit] Stay safe

• Sharks are present in the Gulf of Mexico. Do not swim at dawn, dusk or night when sharks are active or feeding. Do not swim in murky waters. Beware of jellyfish and stingrays. If stung by a jellyfish apply vinegar and meat tenderizer. Do not touch irritated skin or wash with fresh water. Shuffle feet lightly while wading to scare stingrays away.

• It is not safe to climb on fortifications.

• Beware of fire ants and be sure to bring insect repellent, especially during the warmer months (May-Sept).

[edit] Get out

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