Gulf Islands National Seashore

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 8:00–18:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-25 to 2026-12-19; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 24,302 acres (9,835 ha).

Designation: National Seashore. Listed as "Gulf Islands National Seashore" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Established: 1971.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Beaches scenic feature

Events

• Pensacola Bay City Ferry Service to Fort Pickens 09:00 AM–06:00 PM
• Ship Island Excursions Ferry Service to Ship Island 09:00 AM–05:00 PM · Port of Gulfport ferry pier.
• Adventure Through Davis Bayou: Ranger Led Hike 01:00 PM–01:45 PM · Visitor center in Mississippi
• Seashells (and a Murder Mystery) on Ship Island 12:00 PM–12:30 PM · Meet on Ship Island swim beach on Ship Island in Mississippi. Only accessible by boat.
• The Spanish Are Coming! (FL Program)
• Guardian on the Gulf
• Ranger's Choice Hike in Davis Bayou 11:00 AM–11:45 AM · William M. Colmer Visitor Center
• Civil War Trunk at Fort Pickens
• Davis Bayou Kayak Tour 10:00 AM–11:30 AM · Behind the William M. Colmer Visitor Center at the boat house.
• 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 11:00 AM–12:00 PM · Meet inside Fort Pickens.
• Life of a Ship Island Soldier
• Reading with a Ranger 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
• Darkest Before the Light: Fort Massachusetts Candlelight Tours
• Ranger Talk at Fort Pickens 03:00 PM–03:30 PM · Inside Fort Pickens
• Stories of the Bayou Kayak Tour
• Civil War Medicine 11:00 AM–11:30 AM · Inside Fort Pickens

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

⚠ 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 to bikes, foot, and vehicle traffic until further notice: The Fort Pickens Campground will open at 1 p.m. October 23. Naval Live Oaks Area (trails, beaches, pavilions and parking lots)

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

17 bench, 7 changing table, 3 defibrillator, 3 first aid kit, 35 picnic area, 60 restroom, 61 visitor information, 31 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Fort Pickens Campground The Fort Pickens Campground is one of the top ten busiest campgrounds in all of the 430+ national parks and sites. Available all year round it provides access to white sandy beaches and trails, including the Florida National Scenic Trail. The campground office is located in a historic white building located halfway down Fort Pickens Areas on Fort Pickens Road. Office hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ch · 200 campsites · Accessibility: The campground features accessible restrooms and showers.
• Fort Pickens Group Campground Group site is available with a permit for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 40 occupants. Campground limited to soft-side on-the-ground tents only. Group area does not allow generators, trailers, pickup campers, RVs or any type of camping equipment. Persons camping in the group area are limited to the facilities (showers and restrooms) in the group area only. Entrance fee still applies.
• Naval Live Oaks Youth Group Camping This area is available reservation throughout the year with a permit for organized youth groups comprised primarily of young people under the age of 18. This group camping area is located near Gulf Breeze, Florida and has direct access to Pensacola Bay for water recreation. The campsite features restrooms, outdoor showers, a picnic shelter, and a campfire ring. The Naval Live Oaks Area has over 7. · 1 campsite · Accessibility: There are paved paths and sidewalks to access the picnic pavilion and restrooms. The rest of the campsite is undeveloped.
• Davis Bayou Group Campground The area is available with a permit for a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 40 occupants. Persons camping in the group area are limited to the restroom facilities located at pavilion #5. Parking is limited.
• Davis Bayou Campground Gulf Islands National Seashore's Davis Bayou Campground offers tent and recreational vehicle camping experiences in a wooded area next to Davis Bayou in Mississippi. Campground office hours are 8 am to 4 pm daily. · 52 campsites · Accessibility: The campground features accessible restrooms and showers.