National seashore

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulf Islands National Seashore is a national seashore run by the National Park Service that spans Florida and Mississippi: about 24,360 acres of it are in Escambia County, Florida. Entrance is $45 per vehicle. It is open during posted hours, year-round; see the visitor center hours below. It has 2 developed campgrounds, from $22 a night.

Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Oct. 5, 2026.

  • Closure: Battery 234 Loop Road Closure The Battery 234 Loop Road and Battery Cooper within the GUIS, Fort Pickens Management Area will be closed to all for vehicle, bicyclists, and foot (pedestrian) traffic until further notice for safety purposes until the park can correct the leaning and structurally unstable historic Tower 234 that poses danger to visitors and staff. The beach access points for pedestrians from the Gulf (south) side Since June 12, 2026. Until Jan. 31, 2027.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Gulf Islands National Seashore on the managing agency's own page.

Gulf Islands National Seashore
Photo: National Park Service, Public domain

Gulf Islands National Seashore map

Gulf Islands National Seashore boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

View larger map Open in Google Maps Directions

Fire restrictions

This unit's own agency alerts list no fire restriction as of Oct. 5, 2026. We do not check a statewide fire-order feed for FL, so that is not a statement that no order exists, and not a green light for a fire. Check with the land manager and your county before you light anything.

County and local burn bans may also apply on private, state, or county land nearby. On federal land, follow the land manager's order; off it, follow the strictest county or local rule that applies. When both touch your trip, obey both.

Common questions

Partly. About 24,360 acres of Gulf Islands National Seashore are in Florida (measured from the park's boundary map); the rest is in Mississippi.
Entrance costs $45 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle. An annual pass for Gulf Islands National Seashore costs $45. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted. The park takes no cash: pay by card or buy a pass online.
Yes. Gulf Islands National Seashore is open during posted hours, year-round; see the visitor center hours below.
Yes. Gulf Islands National Seashore has 2 developed campgrounds. Sites cost $22 to $40 a night. Campsites must be reserved ahead.

Fees, passes, and hours

Entrance costs $45 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person on foot or bicycle. An annual pass for Gulf Islands National Seashore costs $45. Interagency (America the Beautiful) passes are accepted. The park takes no cash: pay by card or buy a pass online.

Gulf Islands National Seashore is open during posted hours, year-round; see the visitor center hours below.

Sources: nps.gov, checked 2026-09-30; nps.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Camping in Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulf Islands National Seashore has 2 developed campgrounds. Sites cost $22 to $40 a night. Campsites must be reserved ahead.

Campground inside the park's Florida boundary: Fort Pickens Campground , each with its sites, fees, season and reservations on campgroundsdb.com.

Reserve a campsite

Source: nps.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Pets

They are allowed on trails.

Source: nps.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Woodlawn Beach, 2.4 miles

Source: www2.census.gov, checked 2026-09-30.

Fishing and water

Wayside Park Pond fishing (0.6 miles outside the boundary): its fishing and stocking record on fishypedia.com.

Public lands next to Gulf Islands National Seashore

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.

The sentences on this page are generated by software from the sourced records above, not written by hand. How this content is made.