Gulf Islands National Seashore Superintendent Jerry Eubanks announced today that after July 30, 2006, the Fort Pickens Visitor Center will temporarily close and guided tours will be suspended. The Fort Pickens Visitor Center has been open intermittently from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays with ranger led fort tours at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Visitation at historic Fort Pickens has been very light since it reopened to the public in April, said Eubanks. The visitor center will reopen and ranger led tours will resume when a new road is constructed or when visitation is expected to increase. The Fort Pickens Area will remain open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to sunset for boaters, pedestrian and bicyclists. Historic Fort Pickens will also remain open for self-guided tours.
The Fort Pickens Area was severely damaged from Hurricane Ivan and there are still piles of storm-related debris and hazardous trees throughout the area. Because of hazardous trees, the area north of Fort Pickens Road between the Battery Worth parking lot and the Ranger Station is closed. Please observe all closed areas for your protection and/or for the protection of park resources. Enter carefully and be aware of work crews and heavy equipment throughout the park. Visitors are reminded:
Be safe and wear shoes while walking on the beach or wading. Insects, including mosquitoes and yellow flies, are plentiful so use repellent. No fires are permitted. Pets are not allowed on beaches. Remember to drink plenty of water and use sunscreen. There is no trash collection; therefore, if you pack it in, you must pack it out. Restrooms are available at Fort Pickens, the Battery Worth picnic area, the Firehouse Snack bar and Battery Van Swearingen. It is a 14- mile round trip to historic Fort Pickens from Pensacola Beach. No lifeguards are on duty. Boaters and swimmers should stay 200 feet away from the fishing pier. Call 911 for emergencies.
The Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) from Pensacola Beach follows the Gulf shoreline to Battery Cooper and then follows the road to Battery Worth. Continue on the trail to its terminus at Historic Fort Pickens. For more information call the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at (850) 934-2600 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/guis.
