WHERE TO CAMP
Enjoy camping on East Ship, Horn and Petit Bois Islands year around. Be aware that insects are less annoying on island tips due to sea breezes. During stormy weather, seek shelter on the lee side of woods or dunes. Never camp on dune tops as this damages vegetation and the fragile dune formations. Camping is also allowed on artificially-made Spoil Island, located between Horn and Petit Bois Islands. Some boaters may refer to it as Sand Island.

If you do not have your own boat, ask at the William M. Colmer Visitor Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi for the latest list of park-licensed charter boats. These commercial craft have liability insurance and are inspected regularly by the National Park Service and US Coast Guard.

No camping is allowed on West Ship Island. Boaters may anchor offshore, but must be off the island and pier by sunset. The island reopens at sunrise.

CLOSURES

Each year thousands of boaters and campers visit Gulf Islands National Seashore. Park rangers must balance between visitor usage and preserving fragile habitat. This means temporarily closing sections of the islands such as during nesting season. Many shorebirds gather in the sand where human foot-traffic may destroy colonies. Follow the instructions on signs posted around nesting areas. Even if the area is not officially closed, keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Unfortunately in recent years, campers have set up tents beneath trees containing osprey nests. This drove away parent birds and allowed the babies to be scalded by a hot, semitropical sun.

PERMITS & PRE-TRIP PREPARATION
No permit is required, but be sure someone knows exactly where you are and when you'll return to the mainland. If traveling to the islands by private boat, inform friends or family where you will leave your vehicle and boat trailer.

Check weather forecasts before departing and take a weather radio. Don't be caught camping on a barrier island with stormy or severe weather such as northeasters or tropical storms approaching the gulf coast.

Have Coast Guard-required safety equipment including life jackets, fire extinguishers and lights. Practice boating safety and obey the nautical "Rules of the Road."

The Mississippi Sound is a shallow body of water with an average depth of 12 to 15 feet. Sandbars, shoals and obstructions are hazards especially near mainland and island shores. Navigation charts 11372, 11373 and 11374 are invaluable references for coastal navigation.

ANCHORING
Each year, boats are damaged, lost or sunk due to poor anchoring methods. Boats anchored close to shore may pitch dangerously in breakers, wash aground or break up on the beach. Use anchors, line and fittings which are proper for the size and type of boat. Be sure your boat will stay in deep water despite wind and tidal change.

CLIMATIC CHANGES
Be prepared for sudden and extreme weather changes. A winter day can drop from 80 to 30 degrees within hours. Expect 90 degrees or more in the hot summer with no shade on the beach. Drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen and a hat. Each year there could be 75 thunder storms with up to 50 knot winds and 5 foot seas. Stay aware of cloud formations on the horizon and listen to weather reports on a frequent schedule.

POTABLE WATER
There is no source of fresh water on the islands. While there are ponds and lagoons, these are brackish or stagnant. Bring at least 2 gallons per day per person. Drinking plenty of water is important to avoid heat sickness.

TRASH & MARINE DEBRIS
Thousands of people visit these islands every year, and everyone seems to bring beverages and food. All trash must be removed and properly disposed of on the mainland. Without each individual's help, garbage and trash can quickly ruin your island visit and the wilderness nature of the islands.

Please do not dig trash pits for your refuse. Buried garbage eventually is uncovered as an eyesore, a source of pollution, and a threat to the island wildlife. Glass bottles are prohibited on the islands.

Don't splash your trash. Plastic bottles, fishing line, and other marine debris items thrown overboard become a threat to wildlife. Endangered sea turtles ingest plastic bags and ospreys entangle themselves in monofilament lines. The results are usually fatal.

FIRES
Build fires only on the beach below the extreme high tide line, not on sand dunes or in wooded areas. Cut no firewood, but use available driftwood. Douse your fire with water before leaving the campsite. Disperse coals and ashes in the ocean.

INSECTS
You can avoid most mosquitoes, gnats and deerflies by staying clear of vegetation, not moving around at dusk and staying on an island's windward side. Insect repellent and mosquito netting are recommended.

CLOTHING
Long-sleeved shirts and pants protect from sun and insects. During cooler seasons, bring warm, wind resistant clothes to help prevent exposure. The temperatures feel even colder when windy.

HIKING
Walking the shoreline of a barrier island is a wonderful way to see birds, crabs, dolphins, mammals, maritime forest and beach scenery. Horn Island alone offers nearly 30 miles of beach hiking along its gulf and sound shorelines.

BEACHCOMBING
Walking at the water's edge always offers new adventures and natural keepsakes for an alert beachcomber. Following each high tide's exodus, a sharp-eyed explorer can find hosts of "island treasures" such as shark's teeth, shells, driftwood, and even "mermaid's purses". These suggest a mysterious and totally different world that exists just a few feet away from the surf and breaking waves. Natural history guides on beach and marine life are invaluable additions to an island camper's backpack. Please do not remove plants and animals from the islands.

FISHING
Mississippi requires a state license for saltwater sport fishing. Be familiar with fishing limits and lengths as state fishing laws and regulations do apply within park boundaries.

Park regulations also do not allow any type of commercial fishing within the boundary waters of Gulf Islands. These rules are effective one mile out around each island and also includes island ponds and lagoons.

Do not disturb sea turtles, turtle nests or marine mammals such as dolphins. These creatures are protected either as endangered species or under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

HUNTING
Firearms are prohibited. Wildlife is protected from hunting or harassment.

HAZARDS TO CAMPERS
While alligators create excitement, insects and sunburn cause more problems for people visiting barrier islands. Ironically, the human visitors are most often responsible for close encounters with these ancient reptiles. Fortunately, dense vegetation deters human access to alligators. If you stay away, alligators will maintain their natural fear and respect for humans. Play it safe, and stay away from alligators.

Like alligators, the poisonous cottonmouth snake has a natural fear of humans. Keep a respectful distance to avoid problems. Don't walk into brush where you cannot see your hands or feet.

Jellyfish are common in late summer. Tentacles touching exposed skin can cause painful stings. In winter, watch for Portuguese Man-of-war. Their tentacles are 10-12 feet long. Apply vinegar to stung areas.

Shuffle your feet when wading to avoid stingrays. These relatives of sharks are not aggressive, and a ray's normal defense is simply to hide on the ocean bottom. While this works well against predators that swim, a 150-pound human stepping on the stingray's back is an unpleasant surprise for all concerned,when the ray uses its barbed tail against this seeming attack by you. Make your presence known by dragging your feet along the bottom. The stingray will sense your presence and swim off to a new hiding place. If a misunderstanding should occur, immerse puncture wounds in hot water for relief. Further treatments, including a tetanus shot at a hospital, may be necessary.

Be aware of possible exposure in winter or summer. In winter, ocean temperatures of 50 degrees combined with high winds can cause fatal loss of body heat or hypothermia. Keep extra warm, dry clothing with you. In the summer overheating and not enough fluids can make you very sick. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

DISTRESS
Ranger stations on Horn and West Ship operate year around. Signal for assistance with a red flag, flare, smoke or continuous horn. If a plane flies over, stand on the highest part of your boat, stretch out, and slowly raise and lower your arms. The Coast Guard monitors VHF channel 16 for emergencies. Know before you go how to talk on and operate a marine radio.

Neither cellular phones nor citizen band radios can be tracked by radio direction finders. A vessel should have a working VHF radio with channels 16, 22, and 23. Know your location, have a distinctive description of your vessel, and be sure more than one person aboard can operate your radio and boat.

BEFORE DEPARTING
For your first island experience, we encourage you to stop by the William M. Colmer Visitor Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Talk to park staff about your plans and view the videos and exhibits to get an idea what life is like ten miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. You may also call 228-875-9057. Enjoy your wilderness island experience. Remember it is up to you and your fellow island visitors to Leave No Trace of your passage.

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