Superintendent’s Message

September 3, 2014 marks the 50th anniversary 

of the Wilderness Act. All of Gulf Islands is 

special, but Horn and Petit Bois Islands have the 

distinction of being Congressionally designated 

wilderness. 

This March my daughter and I spent her spring 

break exploring Horn Island, tramping the 

beaches, camping among the dunes, embracing the sunsets - the grind of college classes and the complexities of 

job momentarily left behind. We met the island on its own terms 

- natural, untrammeled - as visitors who will not remain and who 

leave nothing behind.

Preserving wilderness has challenges – the potential for drill rigs a 

mile off-shore, marine debris constantly washing ashore, balancing 

the impacts of large flotillas of boats with expectations of solitude.

I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas as we prepare a new 

Wilderness Stewardship Plan for the Seashore. More than that, I 

encourage you to experience the wilderness islands yourself. 

 

Dan Brown

In This Issue

Park Information 2

Visitor Centers

and Programs 3

Park News 4 - 5 

Park Challenges 6 - 7

Things to Do 8 - 9

Kids 10 - 11

Safety 12

Park Information: FL 850-934-2600, MS 228-230-4100 Emergency - Dial 911

www.nps.gov/guis Fort Pickens Road Updates 850-934-2656

Island Breeze National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior
Plan Your Visit

2

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Gulf Islands 

National Seashore

Superintendent Dan Brown

1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway

Gulf Breeze, FL 32563-5000

Phone: (850) 934-2600

Website: www.nps.gov/guis

Editor: Susan Teel 

 July, 2014

Campground Store Open

Coastal Concessions operates the Fort Pickens 

Campground Store, the Firehouse Snack Bar, and 

a Langdon Beach food truck. 

Welcome to America’s largest national 

seashore stretching 160 miles from Cat Island, 

Mississippi to Okaloosa, Florida. The park has 

something for everyone to enjoy and learn. We 

are all stewards of this phenomenal place. It is 

yours to enjoy and to protect.

Entrance Fees - Florida Only

Single Person Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.00

(Foot, bicycle, motorcycle for 7 days )

Single Vehicle Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.00 

(Valid for 7 days) 

 Gulf Islands Annual Park Pass . . . . . . . . . $25.00

(Valid 1 year from month of purchase)

Night Fishing Permit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30.00

(Extends hours of access for anglers. Requires 

an annual pass bearing a matching signature to 

the permit. Call 850-934-2622 for availability 

information).

Commercial Vehicles:

Vehicles (1-6 passengers) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00

(plus $3.00 per person)

Vans and mini-buses (7-25 passengers). $40.00

Motor coaches (26+ passengers) . . . . . . $100.00

Federal Passes Available

America the Beautiful - the National Parks and 

Federal Recreational Lands Pass

 Interagency Annual Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . $80.00

 Interagency Senior Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00

 Interagency Access Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free

Camping 

Mississippi. Davis Bayou Campground The 

52 sites are $22.00 per night, $11.00 with Interagency 

Senior or Access pass. Dump station is free for 

campers and $5.00 for non-campers. For reservations call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.

gov.

Florida. Fort Pickens Campground The 200 

sites are $26.00 per night. $13.00 per night with 

Interagency Senior or Access pass. For reservations 

call (877) 444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov. 
Visitor Centers and 

Ranger Programs

Naval Live Oaks 

Visitor Center

Gulf Breeze, Florida

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Call 850-934-2600

Fort Pickens

Visitor Center

Pensacola Beach, Floirda 

March-October 

9:30 am - 5:00 pm

November-February 

8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Call 850-934-2635

Fort Barrancas

Visitor Center

Pensacola, Florida 

March-October 

9:30 am - 4:45 pm

November-February 

8:30 am - 3:45 pm 

Call 850-455-5167

William M. Colmer 

Visitor Center

Davis Bayou Area

Ocean Springs, 

Mississippi

Call 228-230-4100

3

Gulf Islands National Seashore has a 

variety of programs from Junior Rangers to jon 

boat tours. Ranger talks, guided walks, and special events occur throughout the year. 

Go online to www.nps.gov/guis for an 

in-depth list of programs or pick up a 

schedule at one of the four visitor centers in the 

park. Park information is also available 

by calling (850) 934-2600 in Florida or 

at (228) 230-4100 in Mississippi.

All Visitor’s Centers are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Fort Massachusetts, Ship Island.

 Visit Mississippi’s Offshore Islands

Have you ever wanted to drop everything and spend the day on a pristine beach away from it all? 

Gulf Islands National Seashore’s Mississippi District offers serenity and solitude within a short 

distance of the mainland. For ferry schedule and ticket pirces, visit www.msshipisland.com or call 

(866) 466-7386.

It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

Take the affordable ferry from Gulfport, MS to West Ship Island in the spring, summer, and fall. 

Visitors often experience wild dolphins as they cruise the 50 minute ride to the island. Once there 

cross the island to enjoy stunning Gulf of Mexico vistas and the relaxing sound of waves lapping on 

the shore as migratory and resident birds feed nearby. Available amenities include chair and umbrella 

rentals, a snack bar and souvenir shop, pavilions, and bathhouse. History buffs can explore the 

historic Fort Massachusetts, open daily. Visitors can also use park-approved charters to sail or 

motor to other barrier islands. One local favorite is Horn Island, frequented by fishermen, artists, and 

sun lovers. Habitats found on this 15 mile long island include; maritime forest, marshes, meadows, 

sand dunes, along with a myriad of birds and other wildlife. Horn Island is federally designated 

wilderness area, boasting the highest level of legal protection available for public lands. 
Park News

Gulf Islands is updating the park’s “Wilderness and Backcountry 

Management Plan” for the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Wilderness 

Act. The plan will aid park staff in decision making to ensure Horn 

and Petit Bois Islands are preserved as wilderness islands for the 

future. These islands are the only essentially unchanged white 

sand, slash pine forested barrier islands along the entire northern 

Gulf of Mexico. The plan will also include backcountry areas on 

Cat and East Ship Islands, in Mississippi and Perdido Key and 

Santa Rosa Islands in Florida.

Wilderness and Backcountry

4

Rest rooms with water-efficient fixtures. 

 

Buildings refitted to reduce electrical use and consumption. 

 

Vehicles replaced with hybrid or fuel efficient vehicles.

What Can you do to reduce, recycle, and reuse at the 

seashore?

Reduce waste buy using refillable water bottles.

 

Recycle trash in designated containers.

 

Refill water bottles at filling stations. 

Remember the path to sustainability—leave no trace. 

The National Park Service is working to significantly reduce 

the amount of energy and water used in our facilities and the 

amount of greenhouse gases produced by our operations. By 

demonstrating reuse, recycle, and reduce principles in our 

operations. The green initiatives at Gulf Islands include: 

Water bottle filling station

Horn Island 

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse
Youth Conservation Corps

For the 13th consecutive year students participated in the Youth Conservation Corps summer 

program in both Florida and Mississippi Districts of the national seashore. 

Park News

5

The need for a water transportation/ferry service to Fort 

Pickens was identified over 30 years ago. Hurricanes have 

destroyed sections of the Fort Pickens Road, illustrating 

the need to develop an alternative form of transportation to 

access to this popular area of the seashore. A ferry system will 

provide the opportunity to experience the seashore by water. 

In 2009, the Fort Pickens Gateway Community/Alternative 

Transportation Plan was completed. It outlined measures to 

improve vehicle congestion; reduce parking demand; reduce 

vehicle miles traveled; improve air quality; and protect natural 

resources (such as nesting sea turtles and shorebirds). These 

reductions will improve a visitor’s overall experience. The first 

step in a ferry service was the construction of the ferry pier. 

The ferry service is expected to become operational by 2017.

Fort Pickens Proposed Passenger Ferry

More than 80 percent of the seashore is underwater. The seagrass 

beds in these shallow waters provide habitat, food, and protection 

for juvenile fish, crab, shrimp, and waterfowl. Striped mullet, 

redfish, speckled trout, white trout, and other fishes come here 

from the gulf to spawn. The adult and young fishes, crab, shrimps, 

and oysters feed on plankton and algae that colonize seagrass 

beds. The grass also stabilizes bottom sediments, traps nutrients 

from runoff, and produces oxygen. Approximately 90 percent 

of the once lush green meadows of seagrass have been lost do 

to poor water quality, human use and manipulation, or coastal 

development. 

•	 Idle your boats in shallow water to avoid creating prop scars 

which can take 10 years or more to heal. 

•	 Tread lightly as feet trample stems and loosen roots. 

Underwater World of Gulf Islands

Youth Conservation Corps 

Students completed a variety 

of projects including: trails, 

roadside, and shoreline 

maintenance, planted sea 

oats, installed sand fence, 

removed debris, painted 

picnic tables, sign posts, 

restroom facilities and picnic 

area pavilions, filled sand 

bags, and trimmed hedges. 

Youths completed training 

including: water safety, first 

aid/CPR, archaeology, resume 

writing, and interpretive 

presentations. They visited 

the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle 

Conservation Center, Sand 

Crane Wildlife Sanctuary, 

Battleship Park, Walter 

Anderson Museum and Stennis 

Space Center.

Proposed Ferry Route

Scallops are an important recreational 

species that relies on seagrasses.

Photo credit Florida Aquatic Preserves
6

Park Challenges & Opportunities

Gulf Islands National Seashore managers face many challenges as they strive to protect wondrous 

natural and cultural resources and provide safe and enjoyable experiences for visitors.

Offshore Oil and Gas Activity?

Shorebirds

From mid-March to late summer, several species of ground nesting shorebirds 

such as least terns, snowy and Wilson’s plovers, and black skimmers nest on the 

beaches. Least terns fly in from Central or South America. 

Protected areas are closed to the public and marked where shorebirds nests are 

identified. These closed areas represent a very small percentage of the seashore. 

Visitors are asked to avoid posted areas along the roadway. Any intrusion into 

these areas will cause the birds to take flight which will leave the nests, eggs, and 

chicks vulnerable. Birds often dive at any intruder in an effort to drive them away 

from the colony. Alarmed birds may then fly low across the road and into the paths 

of oncoming vehicles, cyclists, joggers, or walkers.

Unless otherwise posted in the Florida District, the speed limit is 20 mph and will 

be closely monitored by park officials to protect the nesting colonies along the 

narrow island. 

The State of Mississippi has proposed regulations to allow future 

oil and gas exploration in close proximity to the boundaries of 

Gulf Islands. This action could lead to significant adverse effects 

impacting the integrity of the Gulf Islands Wilderness (Petit Bois 

and Horn island), including the scenic values of all five barrier 

islands in the Mississippi Sound area. The National Park Service 

is concerned about the possible affects to wildlife, air quality, 

water quality, soundscape and diminished visitor experience 

should seismic testing and drilling platforms occur adjacent to 

park boundaries.

Speed kills.

More than 100 nesting 

shorebirds are hit each year.

SLOW DOWN and save a life!

Help Protect Wildlife Near Roads: Always expect shorebirds and animals to be on or near the road.

Follow the posted speed limit. 

Increase caution at night and during wet conditions.

Offshore gas well south of Dauphin Island, Alabama.

Least tern and chick
Prescribed Fire Management

Managers have long recognized the need for ongoing 

prescribed fire treatments to reduce the threat of unwanted 

fire and to restore and maintain a healthy ecosystem.

The Naval Live Oaks Area lies in Florida has approximately 

1400 acres of long leaf and sand pine, coastal scrub oak, 

and live oak habitat and Davis Bayou Area in Mississippi 

has approximately 400 acres. Impacts of numerous 

hurricanes over the recent past have resulted in an 

accumulation of dead and down woody debris. 

Fire helps restore the ecosystem providing habitat for 

endangered species such as the gopher tortoise, redcockaded woodpecker, eastern indigo snake and Florida 

scrub jay. 

Park Challenges & Opportunities

Oil Spill Emergency Response Ended May 2013

7

Prescribed fire in 

Davis Bayou, Mississippi.

MC252 Oil Characteristics: Brown color, shiny or dull surface, 

mixed with sand and shell

The Deepwater Horizon spill of 2010 was the 

largest accidental spill of oil MC252 in the ocean 

in history. It will take years to fully know the 

effects of the oil spill on marine ecosystems and 

wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico and the National 

Seashore. Although, cleanup efforts were 

extensive for several years following the spill, 

lingering oil could occasionally show up on 

shore. 

Please assist us by reporting oil found on 

beaches to the National Response Center: 

800-424-8802

Provide: Location-Amount-Date-Time 

Perdido Key Beach Mouse

Perdido Key Beach Mouse

The Perdido Key beach mouse is listed as a federal 

and Florida state endangered species. Loss of 

habitat from coastal development is considered to be 

the main factor contributing to the decline of beach 

mice populations. The main predators of all beach 

mice are feral and free roaming cats, which do not 

belong in a natural setting. Local agencies, the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service, and the development 

community are working together to create a new 

option for mitigating impacts to the Perdido Key 

Beach Mouse. 

These cute little mice are most active at night 

(nocturnal) and can be spotted crossing roads 

at night, please increase caution when driving.
Disappearing Islands

8

Record your visits to historic sites and visitors centers at Gulf Islands National Seashore using the 

Eastern National Passport To Your National Parks® Stamp Series Collector’s Book. The Passport to 

Your National Parks app is a free download at the iTunes store for iPhones and iPads. An Android 

version will be added later, as well as additional features. For more information go to 

www.easternnational.org.

Next Exit History TM, developed by the University of West Florida, has 

12 new entries that provide information on cultural resources at the Fort 

Pickens Area. Download the free app through the iTunes Store or the 

Android Marketplace, or go online to access the information through 

the website www.nextexithistory.com. 

The Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program 

(MSCIP), led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is a 

Congressionally-mandated project authorized in 2006 

following Hurricane Katrina. The goals are to reduce 

future hurricane damage to the coastal area, prevent 

saltwater intrusion, preserve marine and terrestrial 

wildlife, and prevent erosion. A major component of 

the MSCIP project involves placing 22 million cubic 

yards of sand to fill Camile Cut, reconnecting East 

and West Ship Islands, thus returning the sand to 

the natural barrier island process. When completed 

this barrier island restoration project constitutes the 

second largest restoration initiative ever undertaken in 

a National Park unit, the first being restoration of the 

Everglades. 

Mississippi Barrier Island Restoration

Over the 2011/12 winter, more than 500,000 cubic yards of 

sand were pumped on the north shore of West Ship Island.

Things to Do
9

Things to Do

Florida

One Day Three Days One Week

•	 Take a ranger-led tour of 

Fort Barrancas or Fort 

Pickens 

•	 View the park’s HD 

orientation film at the 

Naval Live Oaks Visitor 

Center.

•	 Relax on the beach at 

Perdido Key or Opal Beach.

•	 Spend an afternoon fishing 

at the Fort Pickens fishing 

pier. 

•	 Take a tour of the Advanced 

Redoubt on Saturdays.

•	 Hike the Trench Trail between 

Fort Barrancas and Advanced 

Redoubt.

•	 Attend a ranger-guided 

program. Programs vary by 

season. 

•	 Participate in the Junior 

Ranger or Sea Star program 

for children.

•	 Ride a bike along the Florida 

National Secnic Trail.

•	 Paddle board or kayak the 

seashore. 

•	 Bike or hike along the Florida 

National Scenic Trail.

•	 Explore the Coast Artillery 

Batteries at Fort Pickens

•	 Primitive camp at Perdido 

Key. 

•	 Youth Groups can camp in 

the youth group camp area at 

Naval Live Oaks. Call (850) 

934-2622 for reservations.

Mississippi

One Day Three Days One Week

•	 View orientation films at 

the Visitor Center.

•	 Walk the Davis Bayou 

Trails.

•	 Look for alligators.

•	 Enjoy a picnic lunch under 

the shade of live oak trees.

•	 Attend a program at the 

visitor center. 

•	 Go fishing at the Davis 

Bayou fishing pier. 

•	 Take the passenger ferry to 

West Ship Island (MarchOctober). 

•	 Explore Fort Massachusetts 

on West Ship Island. 

•	 Explore Davis Bayou by 

canoe or kayak.

•	 Bike the Live Oaks Bicycling 

Route. 

•	 Spend an afternoon fishing or 

crabbing from the pier.

•	 Take your own boat or 

charter a vessel and travel 

to Petit Bois or Horn Island 

for a primitive camping 

experience. Practice the 

Leave No Trace principles, 

such as, “Pack it in, Pack it 

out.”

•	 Participate in the Junior 

Ranger or Sea Star 

programs for children.
Kid’s Page

10

The arrowhead is the symbol of the National Park Service. 

You will see this arrowhead in every National Park Service 

site you visit. It is found on park ranger uniforms, on signs, 

in visitor centers and lots of other places.

Test your investigation skills!

 Step 1. Find an arrowhead symbol in the park.

 Step 2. Where did you find it?

 __________________________________________

Step 3. Look carefully at the arrowhead symbol. Every object in the arrowhead 

represents a feature preserved and protected within all National Park sites. Take a close 

look at the arrowhead and see if you can figure out the answers to the following questions.

 1. The ____________________________________ represents all plants. 

 2. The ____________________________________ represents all animals. 

 3. The ____________________________________ represents land formations.

 4. The ____________________________________ represents history.

 5. How many National Park Service Arrowheads can you find in this booklet?

 ________________

Investigate an Arrowhead
Hey Kids! 

Looking for something to do while visiting the 

park? Become a Junior Ranger, Civil War Junior 

Historian or a Sea Star. Pick up your free 

handbook at one of our four visitor centers. 

Once completed, return it and receive an award! 

When your return home become a web ranger at 

www.nps.gov/webrangers.

Kid’s Page

•	 Stay on marked and maintained trails.

•	 Leave what you find for others to discover.

•	 Never approach, feed or disturb wildlife.

•	 Pack it in, pack it out.

•	 Listen to nature.

•	 Be kind to other visitors.

11

Remember, 

you will enjoy nature even more 

by caring for special places!

Now that you’re outside enjoying the park, 

know this before you go!

Junior Ranger

and Kids Discovery

Want a fun and exciting way to 

learn about the park? 

Join us, in the summer months, 

for programs for kids! 

Check the park website for 

activity schedules at

www.nps.gov/guis
12

Plan Your Visit-Be Safe

Beach Warning Flags

 Surf conditions in Florida call 

(850) 932-SURF(7873)

Dangerous Marine Life

Water Closed to Public

Medium Hazard

Moderate Surf and/or Currents

Low Hazard

Calm Conditions, Exercise Caution

High Hazard

High Surf and/or Strong Currents

Swim

•	 Use lifeguarded beaches.

•	 Observe beach warning flags.

•	 Watch your children.

•	 Swim with a buddy.

•	 Do not swim at dusk, dawn, or night -

these are prime feeding times for sharks.

•	 If caught in a rip current - don’t panic, 

wave for help, and swim parallel to shore.

•	 The water is shallow - feet first.

•	 Avoid stinging marine life. 

•	 Don’t float where you can’t touch the bottom.

Sun

•	 Use a sunscreen rated SPF of 30 or more.

•	 Cover up. The sun is intense!

Weather

•	 During thunderstorms move inside.

•	 In case of lightning - get out of the water 

 immediately.

Forts-Artifacts

•	 Please use extra caution when exploring them.

•	 Cultural artifacts are protected and should be left 

 where they are found.

•	 The use of metal detectors is prohibited.

•	 Please do not climb on cannons. 

Insects

•	 Use insect repellent or wear pants and long sleeve 

shirts to guard against biting insects and ticks.

Pets

•	 Service dogs are allowed in all areas.

•	 Pets must be on a six-foot leash. 

•	 Pets are not allowed on Florida beaches, Horn 

Island, Petit Bois Island, swim beach at Ship Island, 

inside forts, pavilions, or buildings/visitor centers.

•	 Do not leave pets in vehicles on warm days. 

Protect Your Property

•	 Do not leave anything of value in your car.

•	 If camping, safeguard your property.

Road Tips

•	 Observe speed limits and stay on the road.

•	 Watch for baby chicks on the roadway. 

•	 Fort Pickens Road is subject to flood. 

•	 Call the road conditions hotline at (850) 934-2656. 

Wildlife and Plants

•	 Do not feed, disturb, or harm wildlife.

•	 Observe posted closures.

•	 All plants are protected - please do not pick plants. 

For Emergencies - Dial 911