News Release

Gulf Islands National Seashore Closes in Preparation for Severe Weather

Date: December 29, 2022
Contact: Stephenie Wade

GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Gulf Islands National Seashore will close some Florida Areas of the park to all visitors beginning at 6 p.m. December 29, in preparation for severe weather.

Closed areas include the Fort Pickens Road and area including the Fort Pickens Campground, Okaloosa Day Use Area, and Johnson Beach Road beyond the parking lot in Perdido Key Area.

Campers currently in the Fort Pickens campground will need to evacuate by 10 a.m. Friday, December 30. All reservations for Fort Pickens Campground will be canceled until further notice beginning Thursday, December 29. 

"Due to potentially deteriorating conditions forecasted by the National Weather Service Office, high surf, and the likelihood for significant flooding on the park roadways, the park will close some Florida areas until further notice,” said Steve McCoy, Deputy Superintendent. “Our priority is to ensure the safest environment possible for park visitors and staff. The park will announce changes as appropriate, but predicted conditions do not allow the park to remain open.”

For more information, please follow the park’s social media accounts and website.

About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.