| Gulf Islands National Seashore | |
Things to Do
Florida District
A good place to begin your visit is at Naval Live Oaks, which is both the Visitor Center and Administrative Headquarters for the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Visitor Center includes exhibits on the history of live oak trees for use in building wooden naval ships and on the archeology of the area. There is also a brief orientation film about the park and a bookstore that sells field guides, maps, and other visitor-related material. The Naval Live Oaks Area includes a picnic area with a pavilion, individual tables, restrooms and outdoor showers, a youth group camping facility, and several hiking trails, including the Visitor Center Trail and Pensacola-Saint Augustine Road. There are many ways to enjoy the features of this 1,378 acre woodland area.From the Fort Pickens Visitor Center area, park visitors can take a self-guided tour of Fort Pickens or the join a ranger on an hour tour beginning at the visitor center daily. There is also a museum and auditorium located in the Fort Pickens area, with interpretive programs offered on a regular basis. The Visitor Center at Fort Barrancas has exhibits on the history of Pensacola under five flags from 1559-1971 and displays Civil War and coast artillery artifacts. A 12-minute video Fort Barrancas is shown upon request and a guided tour of the Fort is offered daily.
Gulf Islands National Seashore is a water lover's paradise, with two-thirds of the park is underwater. The park has pure white sand beaches and crystal clear water. Swimming and surf fishing are allowed along most of the parks beaches, and Fort Pickens has a pier that reaches out into the bay. Also, many charter fishing facilities and two bridges for fishing the bay side of the islands are in the area.
The many trails at Gulf Islands allow visitors to explore a wide variety of habitats, including can be explored from beach to forest. You can walk the beautiful white sand beaches or take a stroll on one of the many trails through barrier islands, maritime forests or wetlands. Self-guided trails help hikers discover the park's natural resources.
The National Seashore comprises several diverse ecological communities which attract a wide variety of bird life. The offshore barrier islands consist of open beaches, dunes, freshwater marshes and wooded areas. On the mainland, also, are freshwater marshes, salt marshes and wooded areas which offer wildlife habitats. More than 280 species of birds have been identified within the boundaries of Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Mississippi District
Begin your visit at the William M. Colmer Visitor Center, which is located in Ocean Springs. Here you'll find an information desk, a bookstore, exhibits, an auditorium that shows orientation films, and a nearby self-guiding nature trail. The islands in the Mississippi District are about 10 miles offshore and can be reached only by boat.During the spring, summer, and fall, boat trips are offered from Gulfport to West Ship Island by a park concessionaire. The ferry departs from Gulfport Yacht Harbor located at the intersection of Highway 49 and U.S. Highway 98. For departure times from March through October call (228) 864-1013 or 1-800-388-3290 or visit their web site
West Ship Island, like many of the other barrier islands on the Gulf Coast, is home to a variety of plant and animal life. A boardwalk, about 1/3 mile long, goes from the boat dock across to the south side of the island, giving park visitors the opportunity to see dunes, marshes and beach. On the island, rangers and volunteers give free guided tours of Fort Massachusetts during the spring, summer and fall. Tours are scheduled twice daily in the summer, and once daily in the spring and fall. Arrangements for schools and special groups may be made with the Mississippi District Interpreter at (228) 875-9057.
Information about boats licensed to carry passengers to the wilderness islands (East Ship, Horn, and Petit Bois) is available at the William M. Colmer Visitor Center. The wilderness islands offer dramatic scenery but limited facilities.
The National Seashore comprises several diverse ecological communities that attract a wide variety of bird life. The offshore barrier islands consist of open beaches, dunes, freshwater marshes and wooded areas. On the mainland are freshwater marshes, salt marshes and wooded areas that offer wildlife habitats. More than 280 species of birds have been identified within the boundaries of Gulf Islands National Seashore, since its establishment in January 1971.
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Gulf Islands National Seashore |
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