• 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 »

President John Quincy Adams

In 1828 the United States purchased land, which now comprises the Gulf Islands National Seashore Naval Live Oaks Area, with the goal of conserving its valuable timber resources for ship building. President John Quincy Adams authorized the establishment of the first federal tree farm in the panhandle of Florida with operations beginning January 18, 1829.

Did You Know?

The arches at Fort Massachusetts are made of red and tan bricks.

Gulf Islands National Seashore's Fort Massachusetts, on West Ship Island 12 miles off the Mississippi coastline, was covered by the 30-foot storm surge from Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005.  The fort has been reopened to the public.