Gulf Islands National Seashore

Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key both are home to the longest stretch of federally protected seashore in the United States. You'll find endless opportunities for solitude and relaxation and miles of unobstructed views and access to the Gulf. A short hike, bike ride, or kayak trip always ensures a swath of beach, sans humans.

Access the Seashore

These three parks are part of Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Fort Pickens

Fort Pickens is one of four military forts designed to protect Pensacola in the 1800s. Located on Pensacola Beach on the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens is accessible by foot and boat and is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Entrance fees are required and collected upon admittance into the park. The Fort Pickens area is anchored by the historic landmark and offers many recreational activities including fishing both from the shore and the pier, exploring trails and the fort, birdwatching, camping and so much more. A visitor information center is located at the west end of the island and includes a history museum on the area.

Johnson Beach

Johnson Beach is a designated recreational area in Perdido Key on the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The location provides lifeguards, facilities and a parking lot and is ideal for water-based recreational activities and hiking. The park includes parking areas, seven accessible boardwalks, a pavilion, and a 1/2-mile bike/pedestrian trail.

Naval Live Oaks

The Naval Live Oaks Area is a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore located east of Gulf Breeze. Ideal for water-based recreational activities and hiking, the reservation received its name because it was the first and only federal tree farm designed to reserve the valuable live oaks that shipbuilders desired in the 1800s. The highlight of the area is the seven and a half miles of hiking trails and its calm location on the Santa Rosa Sound. There are covered pavilions available on a first come, first serve basis, as well as restrooms and picnic tables. Day use area only open 7-days a week 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Things To Do

Historic Forts

Discover the history of Gulf Islands National Seashore through its historic forts. Explore Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas, where brick walls, cannon displays, and interpretive exhibits share the stories of Pensacola’s coastal defense past.

Camping

Camp under the stars at Fort Pickens, located within Gulf Islands National Seashore. The campground offers both tent and RV sites with easy access to hiking trails, historic forts, and the white-sand beaches of Pensacola.

Hiking

Explore scenic hiking trails at Fort Pickens and Johnson Beach. Begin your journey on the Florida National Scenic Trail at Fort Pickens or enjoy a peaceful walk along the Discovery Trail at Johnson Beach through dunes and native habitat.

Birding

Birding in Gulf Islands National Seashore offers chances to spot shorebirds, songbirds, and birds of prey year-round. Explore Fort Pickens and Johnson Beach for coastal habitats that attract migratory species along the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Biking

Gulf Islands National Seashore offers great biking at both Fort Pickens and Johnson Beach. Ride the 15.3‑mile Fort Pickens route past historic sites and coastal views, or enjoy Johnson Beach’s low-speed roads and car-free path along the Gulf and Big Lagoon.

Take The Ferry

Hop aboard the Pensacola Bay Ferry from Downtown Pensacola or Pensacola Beach and cruise across the bay to Fort Pickens. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of Pensacola Bay and step into adventure at Gulf Islands National Seashore. The ferry is bike-friendly, making it an easy and fun way to access Fort Pickens and its surrounding trails. Don’t forget to check the ferry schedule before you go.

Wildlife Watchers

Even without people, you are never truly alone. An abundant ecosystem of marine and terrestrial wildlife surrounds you. Osprey and great blue herons are often overhead, their huge nests visible in the treetops. Dolphins, sea turtles and rays are commonly spotted swimming near the shore in the crystal-clear waters. And at varying seasons throughout the year, the Seashore provides a nesting and hatching ground for shorebirds - like the beautiful black skimmers and tiny least terns – and sea turtles, particularly loggerheads.

Adventure Seekers

The Seashore offers a wide range of recreational activities including snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, biking, camping, fort tours, ranger-led programs and more. Launch your kayak from one of several waterside parking lots and make your own itinerary. Watch for the gopher tortoise, Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, and more than 300 bird species. Snorkel to see sand dollars, starfish, crabs and fish. Join a ranger-led nature tour to explore life in the brackish marshes or hidden in the shade of tall pines and gnarled live oaks.

History Buffs

Get a unique look into Pensacola's military significance going back before the American Revolution. Explore three forts designed to fortify Pensacola Harbor – Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas and Fort McRee —all are within the Gulf Islands National Seashore and administered by the National Park Service.

If you've dreamed of a day exploring a deserted island, the Gulf Island National Seashore is your ideal destination.

Top 10 Activities at the Gulf Islands National Seashore

We’re narrowing down the best activities and must-see attractions within the white sand, idyllic dunes and historic sites known as the Gulf Islands National Seashore.