Gulf Islands National Seashore - Activities

Gulf Islands National Seashore by National Parks Service

Notice: Fort Pickens is open for day use to boaters, bikers, and pedestrians. All areas of the Mississippi areas have opened except for the Davis Bayou Campground. Contact the Florida District at 850-934-2600 or the Mississippi District at 228-875-9057 for more information and updates.

Whether you visit the seashore for a day or a week there are numerous activities and places to explore. Activities include swimming, bike riding, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, beach combing, wildlife watching, boating, and primitive camping. Or just relax and watch a sunset. In the Florida District, Visitor Centers are located at Naval Live Oaks and at Fort Barrancas. There are trails at Naval Live Oaks including the historic Andrew Jackson Trail and sections of the 40-mile loop multi-use trail. The Perdido Key area has picnic tables, restrooms, boardwalk trail and access to the Gulf Beach. On board Naval Air Station Pensacola, visitors can tour Fort Barrancas, the Advanced Redoubt, and hike two trails. Ranger-led tours of Fort Barrancas are given daily at 2:00 P.M. and at the Advanced Redoubt at 10:00 A.M. on Saturdays.

Headquarters for the Mississippi District is located at the Davis Bayou Area which has a temporary visitor contact center, boat launch, playground, nature trail, and boardwalks. Private boaters may visit all the barrier islands.