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Gulf Islands National SeashoreBattery Langdon is in the background with white sand and sea oats in the foreground.
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Gulf Islands National Seashore
Operating Hours & Seasons
Small boat anchor at the beach at West Ship Island.
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Small boats anchor at the beach on West Ship Island.

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.

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

All areas of the Florida District are open year-round unless posted. Operating hours vary seasonally and from unit to unit. Because of hurricane damage all areas are closed at dark. However, visitors with back country camping or Night Owl permits on Perdido Key or campers at the Naval Live Oaks group campground may access the areas after dark.

Naval Live Oaks 8:00 am - sunset.

Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Fort Pickens Open for self guided tours 8:00 am - sunset.

 

Fort Barrancas Visitor Center (Seasonal Hours):  

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 given Saturdays at 11:00 am.

Okaloosa Area (Day Use Only) 7:00 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).

 

The long roots of the sea oats help hold the dunes together.  

Did You Know?
The stunning sugar white beaches of Gulf Islands National Seashore are composed of fine quartz eroded from granite in the Appalachian Mountains. The sand is carried seaward by rivers and creeks and deposited by currents along the shore.

Last Updated: March 31, 2008 at 14:31 EST