• 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 »

Operating Hours & Seasons

All Visitor Centers will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

 
Small boat anchor at the beach at West Ship Island.

Small boats anchor at the beach on West Ship Island.

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All of the Mississippi islands in the Seashore are open to park visitation unless posted.

Davis Bayou Area 6:00 am - 10:00 pm.

Visitor Center 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Closed on Wednesday's and Thursdays.

Visitor Center Grounds 8:00 am - sunset.

West Ship Island 7:00 am - sunset.

Fort Massachusetts 10:00 am - 4:30 pm (Summer) or 10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Spring and Fall).

 
A ranger describes the significance of Fort Barrancas casemate to a park visitor.

A ranger explains the significance of Fort Barrancas to a park visitor.

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All areas of the Florida District are open year-round unless posted. Operating hours vary seasonally and from unit to unit. Visitors with back country camping permits for the Perdido Key Area or Night Owl permits for Fort Pickens or Perdido Key Areas may access those places after evening closures.

Naval Live Oaks 8:00 am - sunset.

Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. (New Visitor Center Hours starting April 7, 2013, Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm)

Fort Pickens Area is open daily from 7:00 am until sunset. Fort Pickens Visitor Center (Seasonal Hours) Fort Pickens Museum open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

March - October 9:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

November - February 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Fort Barrancas and Fort Pickens Visitor Center (Seasonal Hours): Closed Monday - Thursday (4 days/week)

March - October 9:30 am - 4:45 pm.

November - February 8:30 am - 3:45 pm.

Tours given daily at 2:00 pm.

Advanced Redoubt tours at 11:00 on Saturdays

Okaloosa Area (Day Use Only) 8:00 am - sunset.

Santa Rosa Area (Day Use Only) 8:00 am - sunset.

Perdido Key Area (Day Use Only) 8:00 am - sunset (Extended hours for primitive camping and Night Owl permits).

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.