Outdoor opportunities stretch from the shimmering Gulf of Mexico to the rustic woodlands and creeks of the “Canoe Capital of Florida” in Milton. The Gulf Islands National Seashore showcases 52 miles of protected beaches in Northwest Florida (the largest tract of protected shoreline in the state), wild natural vegetation, breathtaking vistas, and historic sites. The park is one of the five most visited national parks in the United States. Pensacola is in the heart of the national seashore, which flanks the city with barrier islands—Perdido Key (Spanish for “Lost Island”) to the west and Santa Rosa Island, better known as Pensacola Beach, to the east.
