• 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 »

The Lure of the Islands in the Gulf of Mexico

What is it that entices people to the sea?  Poet John Masefield wrote, “I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied.”  Millions of visitors are drawn to the islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico for the white sandy beaches, the aquamarine waters, a boat ride, a camping spot, a tour of an old fort, or a place to fish. 

Features

  • Use at Gulf Islands National Seashore

    Personal Watecraft (PWC)

    Gulf Islands prepared an Environmental Assessment for the NEPA compliance for a regulation allowing continued PWC use. Public comments are reqested.

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  • People and Ranger giving Full Moon Talk

    Activities

    Enjoy a guided program or fishing, picnicking, boating, birding, swimming, biking, hiking or exploring the historic forts and walking the beach.

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  • Motorhome with American Flag flying in front

    Camping

    Enjoy camping in a developed campground, or primitive island camping in Florida and Mississippi.

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  • Arches at Fort Massachusetts

    Historic Places

    Gulf Islands protects a number of historic fortifications that represent the nation's coastal defense.

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  • Blue button with twitter logo

    Follow Us on Twitter

    Follow us on Twitter for updates on Gulf Islands National Seashore

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  • Trading Cards

    Trading Cards for Kids

    Discover more that 500 stories about America's journey from the Civil War to Civil Rights. View online or visit this park to collect your own copies.

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  • Flooding and Sandy Roads

    Road Conditions in Florida

    Fort Pickens and J. Earl BowdenWay, roads and bike lanes can flood or be covered with sand. For updates on roads call 850-934-2656.

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  • Visitors enjoying the beach

    Oil Spill Response

    All areas of the park are open to visitors. Clean-up of the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is ongoing.

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Did You Know?

WWII dog trainers at Cat Island, Mississippi located at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Because of the tropical-like conditions, the U. S. Army established the Cat Island War Dog Training Camp in south Mississippi during World War II. A variety of dog breeds were trained to guard, deliver messages, and attack the enemy. Cat Island is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore.