Central restrooms and showers are available. The environment is characterized by sand scrub oaks, small brackish ponds, and a remnant pine forest on a barrier island between Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Roads are paved throughout the campground, as well as each campsite. In Florida, the Pickens Campground is a developed one and provides water and electrical hookups for recreational vehicles and tents. Primitive camping is also permitted in designated areas. Two developed campgrounds are located in the National Seashore. Colmer Visitor Center (Davis Bayou Area), Ocean Springs, Mississippi Fort Pickens Discovery Center, Pensacola Beach, Florida.Fort Barrancas Visitor Center (located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida).Two are located in Florida, and one is located in Mississippi. Okaloosa Island area on Fort Walton Beachįour visitor centers, staffed by National Park personnel, are located within Gulf Islands National Seashore.Santa Rosa Island area on West Pensacola Beach.Fort Pickens area on East Pensacola Beach.Fort Barrancas area on the Naval Air Station in Pensacola.There are 6 distinct areas of the seashore in Florida for visitors: The oil-spill disaster affected every large island in the group. ![]() On June 23, 2010, wave after wave of oil pools and globs began covering the beaches on Santa Rosa Island, ![]() The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, beginning on April 20, 2010, released masses of oil and tar which began washing ashore, in varying amounts, along the Gulf Islands National Seashore on June 1, 2010. Santa Rosa Island had been previously protected as a national monument from 1939 to 1946. The wilderness area was designated on November 10, 1978. The national seashore was authorized on January 8, 1971, and is administered by the National Park Service. West Petit Bois Island (formerly known as Sand Island) - Mississippi.Principal islands in the seashore (from east to west): Annual passes can be purchased for US$45. The typical automobile entrance fee is US$25, good for seven days. Restoration projects bring in sand and vegetation to restore storm damage, though it can be a long process with subsequent storms and strong winds.Įntrance fees are charged at the entrance to the Fort Pickens area at Pensacola Beach, as well as the Johnson Beach Area at Perdido Key in Florida. Many of the dunes were flattened and the end of the island was gorged forming 3 small isolated islands off the tip. ![]() Johnson Beach National Seashore, part of the Gulf Island National Seashore at the east end of the island, was hit particularly hard. Perdido Key was hit with flooding waters that flattened out some of the dunes along Perdido Key. Hurricane Sally hit the area in September 2020 causing massive damage to the Gulf Islands Seashores. A few trails and associated boardwalks and dune crossovers were still under repair as of late 2010, especially near the Fort Pickens campground. All roadways, parking areas, campgrounds, and visitor centers have been repaired and are fully operational. In subsequent years, infrastructure was fully repaired. The 4,080 acres (16.5 km 2) Gulf Islands Wilderness offers special protection within the seashore to parts of Petit Bois Island and Horn Island, Mississippi.Ĭonsiderable damage to public infrastructure occurred as a result of storms during the 20 Atlantic hurricane seasons. Petit Bois, Horn, East Ship, West Ship, and Cat islands are accessible only by boat. The Davis Bayou Area is the only portion of the National Seashore in Mississippi that is accessible by automobile. The Mississippi District of the seashore features natural beaches, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, islands accessible only by boat, bayous, nature trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds. All Florida areas are accessible by automobile. Mainland features near Pensacola, Florida, include the Naval Live Oaks Reservation, beaches, and military forts. The Florida District of the seashore features offshore barrier islands with sparkling white quartz sand beaches (along miles of undeveloped land), historic fortifications, and nature trails. The color of the sand in the region is exceptionally white, as seen in this 1957 photo at Pensacola Beach, Florida, adjacent to the protected area designated in 1971.
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