| Gulf Islands National Seashore | |
|---|---|
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 Gulf Islands National Seashore, near Pensacola | |
  Gulf Islands National Seashore  Gulf Islands National Seashore (the United States) | |
| Location | Escambia / Santa Rosa / Okaloosa counties, Florida; and Jackson / Harrison counties, Mississippi; USA |
| Nearest city | Pensacola, FL (Fort Barrancas) Navarre, FL (Santa Rosa Island area) Gulf Breeze, FL (Naval Live Oaks area) Destin, FL (Okaloosa Island area) Pascagoula, MS (Mississippi area) |
| Coordinates | 30°21′52″N 86°58′3″W / 30.36444°N 86.96750°W |
| Area | 135,457.89 acres (548.1786 km2) 99,083.64 acres (40,097.73 ha) federal |
| Established | January 8, 1971 |
| Visitors | 8,277,857 (in 2023)[1] |
| Governing body | U.S. National Park Service |
| Website | Gulf Islands National Seashore |
Gulf Islands National Seashore is an American National seashore that offers recreation opportunities and preserves natural and historic resources along the Gulf of Mexico barrier islands of Florida and Mississippi. In 2023, it was the fifth-most visited unit of the National Park Service.
The protected regions include mainland areas and parts of seven islands. Some islands along the Alabama coast were originally considered for inclusion, but none are part of the National Seashore.
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 Perdido Key Historic District preserves shore batteries active in World War I and World War II. Mainland features near Pensacola, Florida, include the Naval Live Oaks Reservation, beaches, and military forts. All Florida areas are 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. The Davis Bayou Area is the only portion of the National Seashore in Mississippi that is accessible by automobile. Petit Bois, Horn, East Ship, West Ship, and Cat islands are accessible only by boat. The 4,080 acres (16.5 km2) Gulf Islands Wilderness offers special protection within the seashore to parts of Petit Bois Island and Horn Island, Mississippi.
Considerable damage to public infrastructure occurred as a result of storms during the 2004 and 2005 Atlantic hurricane seasons. In subsequent years, infrastructure was fully repaired. All roadways, parking areas, campgrounds, and visitor centers have been repaired and are fully operational. A few trails and associated boardwalks and dune crossovers were still under repair as of late 2010, especially near the Fort Pickens campground.
Hurricane Sally hit the area in September 2020 causing massive damage to the Gulf Islands Seashores. Perdido Key was hit with flooding waters that flattened out some of the dunes along Perdido Key. Johnson Beach National Seashore, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore at the east end of the island, was hit particularly hard. Many of the dunes were flattened and the end of the island was gorged forming 3 small isolated islands off the tip.[2] Restoration projects bring in sand and vegetation to restore storm damage, though it can be a long process with subsequent storms and strong winds.
Entrance 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. The typical automobile entrance fee is US$25, good for seven days. Annual passes can be purchased for US$45.
- ^ "Annual Park Ranking Report for Recreation Visits in: 2023". nps.gov. National Park Service. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Kevin. "Perdido Keys?! Hurricane Sally cuts eastern tip of barrier island into three sections". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved 2021-05-29.