Parking

 

Gulf Islands National Seashore offers numerous parking lots for day-use visitors, as well as overnight campers. Most lots are spacious and provide direct access to key points of interest, such as beautiful beaches, visitor centers, and trailheads.

All parking lots and points of interest can be viewed on the NPS Mobile App. Learn more about how to access your favorite spots in Gulf Islands below.

 

The spacious parking lot at Opal Beach provides direct access to the beach.

NPS Photo/Kiss

 

Day Use Parking Lots

Florida

Fort Pickens Area

• Beach Access 19A - 20 spaces, no RVs or campers due to limited space
• Beach Access 17A - 20 spaces, no RVs or campers due to limited space
• Beach Access 15A - 20 spaces, parking located across the street at the old campground store
• Beach Access 15B - 8 spaces
• Langdon Beach - 60 spaces (Tram Stop)
• Discovery Center - 55 spaces
• Designated street parking near the fishing pier and Batteries Truman and Payne

Naval Live Oaks

• South Lot - 100 spaces, adjacent to Park Headquarters
• North Lot - 40 spaces, located across the highway from Park Headquarters

Santa Rosa Area

• Beach Access 32A - 60 spaces
• Beach Access 33A - 60 spaces
• Beach Access 36A - 56 spaces
• Opal Beach Cluster A - 140 spaces
• Opal Beach Cluster B - 100 spaces
• Opal Beach Cluster C - 50 spaces
• Opal Beach Cluster D - 80 spaces
• Opal Beach Cluster E - 96 spaces

Perdido Key

• Johnson Beach - 360 spaces
• Limited street parking Beach Accesses H and K

Fort Barrancas

• Visitor Center - 16 spaces
• Advanced Redoubt - 14 spaces

Okaloosa

• Picnic Area - 175 spaces
• Boat Launch - 15 spaces

Mississippi

Davis Bayou

• Visitor Center - 80 spaces

Overflow

Fort Pickens campground has limited space available for overflow parking. These spaces are for visitors wishing to hike trails and to accomodate guests. They are not guaranteed parking spaces for overnight campers. Each campsite has a 2 vehicle maximum. Please ensure your vehicle fits within the dimensions of your site, as we cannot guarantee overflow space for every camper. Overflow parking can be found at the following locations:

• North side of Loop E, next to the Bay Trail - 25 spaces
• West side of Loop B, near Battery Worth trailhead - 16 spaces
• West side of road entering Loops B & C - 6 spaces

Safety

Driving in Gulf Islands National Seashore may seem like a day at the beach, but conditions can quickly turn hazardous if you are not careful. Heed the following warnings and pay attention to all posted signage for the safety of yourself and others. If you encounter an issue while in the park, contact Gulf Breeze Dispatch at 850-934-4050. For emergencies, call 911.

• Beach driving is not permitted anywhere in the park. Driving on the beach or any soft, sandy surface can cause your vehicle to get stuck. To avoid this incident, please park in designated spaces and walk or bike to the nearest beach access.
• Roadside parking is not permitted anywhere in the park. Gulf Islands has many spacious parking lots for your vehicle and belongings.
• Road conditions can change quickly. Some park roads, especially in the Fort Pickens area, are prone to severe flooding which may be impassable to low clearance cars. Pay attention to park announcements and the local weather forecast for incoming storms. Avoid driving through flooded areas during high tide and at night. Rinse your vehicle after driving through any flooding to prevent saltwater corrosion.
• Adhere to all posted signage. The speed limit within the park is 25MPH and is strictly enforced. This is for the safety of our visitors, as well as the well-being of wildlife that may live near or venture into the road.