• Beach walkway to white sandy beach and bluegreen waters

    Gulf Islands

    National Seashore FL,MS

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Partial Closure on Horn Island

    Small portion of Horn Island, Mississippi, closed to entry due to discovery of asbestos and possible other bio hazards. Click on more for map and press release. More »

  • Park Closures

    Restrooms, and Visitor Center closures due to the impact of Seqestration. More »

Be A Junior Ranger

Brother and sister showing their badges and patches on vest.

How do you wear your badges and patches?

This program is offered to children ages 6-11. To meet the Junior Ranger requirements, children need to attend complete the Junior Ranger Handbook which can be downloaded off the web or picked up at one of the Visitor Centers in the park. Visitor Centers are located at Fort Pickens, Naval Live Oaks, Fort Barrancas, and Davis Bayou in the Mississippi District. During off-season when the park does not offer as many ranger-led programs, an extra activity in the handbook will count as a ranger-led program. Each age group has different requirements. Once the requirements are completed, bring handbook to Visitors Center and the child will receive a Junior Ranger certificate of completion and a badge.

The Junior Ranger Program provides a great opportunity for children visiting the park to learn about animals, plants, and old forts. Children will enjoy the adventures of a Junior Ranger and the opportunity to earn a Junior Ranger badge. It's fun, rewarding, and free!

Did You Know?

Rare Kemp's Ridley sea turtle hatchling moving towards the Gulf.

Of the seven species of sea turtles, four species nest at Gulf Islands National Seashore. Sea turtle hatchlings instinctively head for areas of brighter light. Artificial lighting causes thousands of hatchling deaths each year.