• 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 »

For Kids

School groups explore the seashore.
Visitors learn about sea life at
a Junior Ranger Camp, Florida
District.
nps photo
 

The Seashore has many programs for children including Junior Rangers (ages 6-11) and Sea Stars (ages 3-5), Junior Lifeguards (ages 12 - 19). Children can complete Junior Ranger, Sea Star, and Seashore Patch booklets while they are visiting Gulf Islands National Seashore. If a group of 11 or more children completes the Seashore Patch Handbook, the group receives a 20% discount on the purchase of a Gulf Islands patch or pin for each participant. School groups are welcome. Junior Lifeguard programs are offered during the summer seasons.

Curriculum-based programs are available October-November, March-April. In Florida call 850-934-2600 for more information. For students going to the Davis Bayou Area in Mississippi, a self-guided educational program called Motion, Adaptation, Resources, Similarities and Habitat (M.A.R.S.H) is available. For information on Mississippi programs call 228-875-9057.

 
Children-around-Ranger-looking at tiny fish

Ranger showing children a fish that was found in grass beds.

Become A WebRanger!

The National Park Service's online Junior Ranger program is for kids of all ages. With more thatn 50 online games, you can have fun learning about your national parks, monuments, and historic sites.

 
 

Did You Know?

Live oak trees are strong and durable.

In 1828, John Q. Adams designated the Naval Live Oaks Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore as the first United States tree farm.  Live oak trees are known for their incredible density and resistance to disease. They provided durable wood for the construction of early naval vessels.