National Park Service Perdido Key U.S. Department of the Interior Gulf Islands National Seashore Florida District

Perdido Key, a unit of Gulf Islands National Seashore, is a fragile barrier island made up largely of fine quartz sand held together by plants adapted to this harsh environment. It provides habitat for many shore birds, small animals, and nesting sea turtles. The grass beds of the sound are the nursery ground for 95% of all commercially harvested marine species such as shrimp, crabs, and mullet. Wind and wave actions are the dynamic forces that constantly reshape the island.

Know before You Go at the end of the road. Protect your electricity and generators are not Facilities are open daily from valuables in a safe place. Metal allowed. Bring your own grill and 8:00 am to sunset. The entrance fee detectors are not allowed. Use the dispose of charcoal in provided is good for seven days at all park boardwalk crossovers to access the containers. Skateboards, areas or you may purchase an beach. Some picnic shelters and roller-skates, and rollerblades are annual park pass. Park along the tables are first-come, first served. prohibited. Bicycles are allowed on roadside except the last half mile. Others are reservable at paved roads only. Glass containers Use the temporary unloading zone www.recreation.gov. There is no are not allowed on the island.

Hiking It is an 11 mile round-trip hike from Swimming Hike the elevated and accessible the end of the road east to Batteries A section on the Gulf side is “Discovery Trail” that starts Slemmer, Center and 233. Visitors reserved for swimmers. Lifeguards soundside at the canoe launch. can enjoy bird watching, shell are on duty from April through Experience nature’s adaptations in collecting, or photography. All September. Strong rip currents the half-mile adventure. Rest areas plants, animals, and shells with can occur. Be safe and don’t swim with benches are provided. marine life in them are protected. alone.

Camping (Primitive Camping) Private Boaters Personal Watercraft (PWC) Primitive camping is allowed Plan you boat trip carefully and PWC are permitted within the one-half mile beyond the end of be sure to have adequate fuel and seashore boundary with the the road to the east end of the supplies. Rangers cannot give or exception of the lagoons of Perdido island. There is an entrance fee but sell gas to private boaters nor can Key within Big Lagoon. PWC may no camping fee. A self-registration they tow disabled boats back to the not be operated within 200 feet of form must be completed and mainland. Boats must anchor at non-motorized vessels and people displayed on vehicles remaining in least 500 feet outside the designated in the water. PWC may not operate the park. Register at the Perdido swim beach on the south side. at greater than flat wake speed Key Entrance Station. Read the Know state and federal within 300 yards of the park camping rules on the back of the regulations for the safe operation of shorelines to protect submerged registration card. Practice Leave private watercraft. grass beds. No Trace principles.

Fishing For more information call wading in the water to scare Florida state fishing regulations 1-888-347-4356 or go online at stingrays away. If you get stung apply at Perdido Key, Gulf Islands http:marinefisheries.org. from a jellyfish apply vinegar to the NS. A saltwater fishing license is irritated area. Sharks inhabit the required and is available at most Sea Life waters. Be alert, especially in the bait and tackle shops. Do not fish Use caution to avoid jellyfish and morning and evening. Never swim within the flagged swim beaches. stingrays. Shuffle your feet while alone.

Pets in a matter of minutes, even with water and seek shelter; rough surf Florida State law prohibits pets on partially opened windows. and rip currents are dangerous. beaches. Pets must be kept on a six Observe beach safety flags. The foot leash at all times. Please do not Changing Weather and Surf sun is very intense. Stay out of leave pets in cars during Watch the weather. Storms can direct sun from 10 am-2 pm. Use summer months. Inside car quickly form over water. During sun block and drink plenty of temperatures can reach 160 degrees lightning storms stay out of the water. Rosamond Johnson Beach During segregation, Rosamond Private Rosamond Johnson, Jr. Johnson Beach on Perdido Key was was killed on July 26, 1950 during one of the few beaches open to the Korean Conflict. Having African Americans. Now part of Gulf carried two wounded men to Islands National Seashore Johnson safety under enemy fire, he was Beach continues to honor the ultimate killed going back for a third, sacrifice of Rosamond Johnson, Jr. becoming the first African American from this area to die in that conflict. Fort McRee A large brick fort was completed at the eastern end of Perdido Key in 1837. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also built Fort Barrancas and Fort Pickens to defend Pensacola Pass and the Naval Yard. McRee was damaged during the Civil War and eventually claimed by the Gulf’s wave action and erosion. Often confused for the old fort, Battery 233 is built on the foundations of Batteries Slemmer and Center. Fort McRee 1861

Kite Surfing Protect Wildlife and Save the Kite surfing disturbs nesting birds Dunes and is not allowed from March 1 A healthy dune system is vital to the through August 31, except from survival of wildlife including the the western park boundary to endangered Perdido Key Beach Boardwalk Crossing A excluding Mouse. Sand fencing allows the dunes the swim area at Johnson Beach to grow and boardwalk crossovers when lifeguards are on duty. protect the plants that hold the island together. Walking on the dunes destroys critical habitat. Use the crossovers to access the beach.

For more information call the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at (850) 934-2600 or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/guis

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA 11/2012