Park Archives: Gulf Islands National Seashore

Along this Dynamic Seascape, a chain of island strongholds guards against threats from the Gulf of Mexico. Whether facing attacking ships or hurricanes, the military fortifications and barrier islands of Gulf Islands National Seashore have protected these harbors and the mainland through many storms.

Among natural beauty and recreational opportunities you will find numerous COASTAL FORTIFICATIONS. The park's collection, like its Third System masonry forts, represents over 200 years of innovation in military design, materials, weapons, and strategy.

The THIRD SYSTEM of seacoast defense aimed to fortify major US harbors after the War of 1812. Pensacola Bay was chosen as the site for a navy yard, a depot, mainland and island forts, a naval timber reserve, and more.

The idea was a response to changing warfare technology and strategy—which was also why it was abandoned decades later. Of the nearly 200 forts recommended nationwide, only 42 were built. Today, the park preserves five sites.

As you explore the barrier islands, can you spot how the landscape changes all around you? Sometimes you will see a gradual edge between two ECOSYSTEMS. Other times, you can step directly from one ecosystem to the next. Each boundary brings a great variety of plants and animals that are adapted to these ever-changing environments. Note how some species establish themselves across habitat boundaries while others truly live on the edge.

A range of ecosystems and HABITATS develop where the Gulf's salt water and mainland's fresh water mix. Over 400 fish species, 300 bird species, and a dozen federally listed threatened and endangered species make the park their home. Water makes up over 82 percent of the area the park manages and is a key factor in where these species live.

Beaches, bayous, and boating are some of the many things you can experience in this two-state, 160-mile park. Fish, swim, hike, bike, picnic, camp, observe wildlife, discover history, and explore two island wilderness areas. The park's staff, website, and newspaper The Island Breeze can help plan your visit.

MISSISSIPPI AREAS The visitor center has information, exhibits, a bookstore, maps, and films. Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1. The campground (open year-round) has electricity, water hook-ups, a dump station, a group tent area, a boat launch (fee), and pavilions. Reserve sites at www.recreation.gov. Hiking trails are self-guiding. A saltwater fishing license is required for all areas. The Davis Bayou area has a fishing pier. Commercial fishing is prohibited in park waters. Visit the park website for hours and programs.

West Ship Island (Fort Massachusetts) Know what to expect! An unshaded, 0.3-mile boardwalk leads to a swim beach, pavilions, restrooms, showers, and snack bar. Facilities are open mid-March through October. Free tours and exhibits are available seasonally. Tours of the fort are not wheelchair-accessible. Take a passenger ferry (fee) from Gulfport or Biloxi from mid-March through October, or dock your boat near the fort during daylight hours only year-round.

Cat, East Ship, Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, and Horn islands (no facilities) are accessed only by private boat. Use your boat or hire a licensed operator from a list available at the visitor center or our website. Petit Bois and Horn islands are designated wilderness areas—lands untrammeled by humans, undeveloped, and retaining a primeval character with only an impermanent human presence. They are protected to preserve their natural conditions and offer opportunities for solitude or primitive, unconfined recreation.

Backcountry camping is allowed on East Ship, Horn, Petit Bois, and West Petit Bois islands. A permit is required for groups of 10 or more on Horn and Petit Bois islands only. Camping on Cat Island is allowed only on park land. Camping on West Ship Island is prohibited. Bring all your food and drinking water. Groups of 10 or more must get a permit. • Boaters follow NOAA charts 11372, 11373, and 11374.

FLORIDA AREAS The Fort Pickens Discovery Center and the Fort Barrancas Visitor Center have exhibits, films, and bookstores. Visit the park website for operating hours.

A seasonal ferry service (fee) between downtown Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Fort Pickens is available March through October. Visit the park website for programs, hours, and guided tours. Entrance fees apply at Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, Okaloosa, Opal Beach, and Perdido Key, or show a valid National Parks or Federal Recreational Lands pass. • Hike self-guiding trails at Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas, Perdido Key, and Naval Live Oaks. • Fish from Fort Pickens' pier without a license; otherwise, state fishing licensing and regulations apply. • Camping reservations are recommended at www.recreation.gov. • Some pavilions can be reserved. The Naval Live Oaks Youth Camping Pavilion is for organized groups only. • Boaters follow NOAA charts 11378, 11383, and 11384.

ENJOY A SAFE VISIT Never swim alone. Beware of rip currents, barnacle-covered rocks, sharks, jellyfish, and stingrays. • Watch for weather extremes, sudden storms, and changing surf conditions. Do not stand on piers, beaches, or fortifications during thunderstorms. • Use caution while exploring forts and batteries. Carry a flashlight for dark passageways. • Some areas and forts close for your safety or wildlife nesting. Avoid walking on dunes and vegetation; obey closure signs. • State boating and fishing regulations apply. Do not fish or boat in swim beach areas. • Glass is prohibited on beaches. • Wear protective clothing. Drink plenty of fluids. Use sunscreen. • Practice "Leave No Trace" principles. • Motor vehicles must stay on paved roads. • Metal detectors and spearfishing are prohibited. • Dogs are prohibited on all Mississippi islands and Florida beaches. • Do not feed or disturb wildlife. • Federal law protects all wildlife, plants, and historic objects. • For all park regulations, including firearms, check our website. • We strive to make our facilities, services, and programs accessible to all. Call or check our website.

The contents of brochures, site bulletins and trading cards (denoted with a colored caption) can be viewed by clicking on the cover. Most modern-day brochures, however, are cover only (denoted by a white caption) due to photograph copyrights. These items are historical in scope and are intended for educational purposes only; they are not meant as an aid for travel planning. The dates under each brochure do not reflect the complete range of years that a particular brochure was issued.

1974		cover only 1978
1980		1981-1983		cover only 1984-1987
cover only 1988-1993		cover only 1994-1999		cover only 2000-2004
cover only 2009-2012		2013-2017		2018-2023

Gulf Islands Wilderness 2014	Gulf Islands Wilderness Date Unknown	Beach Mouse Fun Facts 2014	Guardians of the Dunes 6/2019	Seagrasses at the Seashore 2015	Seashore Seagrasses Date Unknown
Your Speed Matters! 2014	Your Speed Matters! 3/2018	Ospreys Need Your Help! 2012	Sea Turtles of the Gulf Islands 2014	Fort Pickens Road Flooding 2016
Animal Checklist 06/11		Animal Checklist Florida District 03/2002		Bird Check List 2012
Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barranacas 11/11		Advanced Redoubt of Fort Barranacas 10/19		Fort Barrancas 11/10
Coast Artillery Self-guided Tour 1/14		Fort Pickens Self-guided Tour Date Unknown		Fort Pickens Area Date Unknown
Fort Barrancas 03/2017		Fort Massachusetts 2012		Fort Pickens 3/16
Louisiana Native Guards 2011		Naval Live Oaks 01/13		Naval Live Oaks 03/2017
Perdido Key 11/2012		Santa Rosa July 2009		West Ship Island 6/2004
West Ship Island 6/12		Barrier Island Wildflowers Date Unknown		Visiting Mississippi Barrier Islands 2013
Fort Pickens 5/2019		Fort Massachusetts Date Unknown		Threatened and Endangered Animals Occurring within Gulf Islands National Seashore 9/2006
Apache Prisoners at Fort Pickens 03/12		Mississippi Areas c2019
Trading Cards

		(©Jefferson National Parks Association)

Park Newspaper (Gulf Islands Guide/The Island Breeze): 2008 • 2010 • 2014 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019

The following visual bibliography is just a sampling of the handbooks and books which have been published for this park. NPSHistory.com does not endorse these, but are merely presenting them for informational purposes only. As most are copyrighted, we are only able to provide the covers, and not contents, of these publications.

cover only

The Fort Pickens Story
Thomas Muir, Jr. and David P. Ogden
1989

cover only

Guardians on the Gulf: Pensacola Fortification, 1698-1980
James C. and Irene S. Coleman
2000

cover only

The Fort Barrancas Story
David P. Ogden
2010