Gulf Islands National Seashore

Offshore islands with sparkling white sand beaches, historic forts and related historic structures, nature trails and adjacent open waters describe the nation's largest national seashore. Mainland features include salt marshes and bayous in Mississippi and a Naval Live Oak Reservation and military forts in Florida. The National Seashore was authorized in January, 1971 in order to preserve for public use and enjoyment certain areas possessing outstanding natural, historic and recreational values. The authorized acreage for Gulf Islands National Seashore is 135,607.15 acres (Federal 99,246.56, Nonfederal 36,360.59, Land area 19,445.56 and Wilderness area 1,800). The purchase of Cat Island in Mississippi will add approximately 2,000 acres.