Gulf Islands National Seashore
Protected park · FL, USA
Gulf Islands National Seashore in FL, USA. Operated by National Park Service.
Usual hours
- Mon–Sun 8:00–18:00
About
Entrance / day-use fee applies.
This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.
This park's official page lists: Visitor center.
At the park
- Camping
- Hunting
- Beaches
Events
- Pensacola Bay City Ferry Service to Fort Pickens
- Ship Island Excursions Ferry Service to Ship Island
- Adventure Through Davis Bayou: Ranger Led Hike
- Seashells (and a Murder Mystery) on Ship Island
- The Spanish Are Coming! (FL Program)
- Guardian on the Gulf
- Ranger's Choice Hike in Davis Bayou
- Civil War Trunk at Fort Pickens
- Davis Bayou Kayak Tour
- Yoga in the Bayou
- Full moon kayak paddle of Davis Bayou
- Art in the Park at Davis Bayou
- Davis Bayou Cleanup for National Public Lands Day
- Tour of Battery Pensacola
- Life of a Ship Island Soldier
- Reading with a Ranger
- Darkest Before the Light: Fort Massachusetts Candlelight Tours
- Ranger Talk at Fort Pickens
- Stories of the Bayou Kayak Tour
- Civil War Medicine
Before you go
- Limits
- Pets are NOT ALLOWED on beaches sound and gulf side, in the water, ferries, piers, Mississippi islands, in forts, batteries, pavilions, or inside facilities
- Limits
- Glass containers are not allowed on park beaches or barrier islands this includes holding glass containers in the water close to the shoreline
- Limits
- Launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) from or on the lands and waters of the national seashore is prohibited
- Park alert: Johnson Beach Restrooms
- The Rosamond Johnson Beach East pavilion restrooms are closed for a rehabilitation project. The restrooms on the West will still be open. The park hopes this project will be completed by spring.
- ⚠ Caution: Rip Current Status
- Review rip current status prior to visiting the park.
- ⚠ Park closure: Hurricane Isaias Closures Florida
- All of the areas are closed until further notice. The Fort Pickens Area is open for day-use only. Fort Pickens Campground Battery Worth Pavilion Naval Live Oaks Area
- Park alert: Accessing Fort Barrancas
- Fort Barrancas is open 9 am–4 pm Wednesday through Sunday. To access Fort Barrancas, visitors will need to enter the Naval Air station Pensacola through the west gate.
- ⚠ Caution: Road workers on Park Road in Davis Bayou
- Phase II of the Davis Bayou Bicycle and Pedestrian Path is in process. Visitors may encounter minor traffic delays and flaggers on Eagle Point and Park Road.
- ⚠ Park closure: Battery 234 Loop Road Closure
- The Battery 234 Loop Road and Battery Cooper within the GUIS, Fort Pickens Management Area will be closed to all for vehicle, bicyclists, and foot (pedestrian) traffic until further notice for safety purposes until the park can correct the leaning and structurally unstable historic Tower 234 that poses danger to visitors and staff. The beach access points for pedestrians from the Gulf (south) side will also be closed. The pipe gates at the entrance and exit points will be locked with accompanied signage.
- Park alert: No Dogs on Beach
- Dogs and pets are not allowed on any of the beaches in Gulf Islands National Seashore. Visit the pet rules page for information.
- Getting there
- Gulf Islands National Seashore is a place of myriad riches - blue-green, sparkling waters, magnificent white beaches, and fertile coastal marshes. Its 13 areas include historic forts, shaded picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds. From Cat Island, Mississippi, it stretches eastward 160 miles tot he Okaloosa Area east of For Walton Beach, Florida.
- Weather & when to go
- Weather along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico can change quickly. During the winter temperatures range from 30-60 degrees fahrenheit, rain is less common than other seasons. Snow and freezing temperatures are not common. During the summer temperatures range from 70-100+ degrees fahrenheit. Rain is common during the summer with many thunderstorms. Hurricanes impact the area during the tropical storm season between June and November. Tornadoes can impact the area during the Spring and Fall.
- Visitor center
- Andrew Jackson Trail
- Visitor center
- Blackbird Marsh North Trailhead
- Visitor center
- Blackbird Marsh South Trailhead
- Visitor center
- Brackenridge Accessible Trailhead
- Visitor center
- Brackenridge Loop Trail Observation Deck
- Visitor center
- Davis Bayou Area Orientation Kiosk - Picnic Area
- Visitor center
- Davis Bayou Area Orientation Kiosk - Visitor Center
- Visitor center
- Davis Bayou Blueway
- Visitor center
- Davis Bayou North Trailhead
- Visitor center
- Davis Bayou Picnic Area Restrooms
- Visitor center
- Davis Bayou South Trailhead
- Visitor center
- Florida National Scenic Trail Northern Terminus
Facilities on the park map
15 bench, 7 changing table, 2 defibrillator, 2 first aid kit, 34 picnic area, 51 restroom, 48 visitor information.