• Beach walkway to white sandy beach and bluegreen waters

    Gulf Islands

    National Seashore FL,MS

There are park alerts in effect.
show Alerts »

  • 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 »

Local Lifeguard Certification

Gulf Islands National Seashore requires lifeguard applicants to have a current American Red Cross or equivalent lifeguard certification. Those applicants who are not currently certified can contact their local Red Cross chapters or local aquatic facilities to inquire when classes will be held.

Pensacola, Florida

University of West Florida 850-474-2981

Pensacola Junior College 850-484-1311

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Red Cross 228-762-2455

YMCA 228-875-2966

Those interested in applying for a position as a National Park lifeguard may still apply even if enrolled in a lifeguard class during the job announcement period.

Did You Know?

A view of the Advanced Redoubt drawbridge.

The Third System fortifications consisted of 42 forts built between 1816 and 1870. They were used to guard all the principal harbors, rivers, and naval yards of the United States. Only the Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barrancas at Gulf Islands National Seashore was built entirely for land defense.