Gulf Islands National Seashore National Park Service Gulf Islands Florida and Mississippi U.S. Department of the Interior Treasures Along the Gulf Coast NPS Gulf Islands National Seashore is a place of many riches—blue- of white sand carried seaward by rivers draining from the Appa- purpose of cultivating live oaks, used for shipbuilding. To help How Barrier Islands Change green, sparkling waters, magnificent white beaches, and fertile lachian Mountains. During violent storms the islands function as defend the mainland against foreign invasion, the government All theories about the barrier islands’ formation involve waves, coastal marshes. It stretches 160 miles along the northern coast barriers, blocking ocean waves that would otherwise strike the began fortifying Pensacola in 1829, and Ship Island, Mississippi, winds, and fluctuating sea levels. The islands move steadily of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes mainland with greater force. in 1859. From Ship Island’s Fort Massachusetts the Union Army westward as longshore currents wear away their eastern ends barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and staged the capture of New Orleans in 1862. By the end of the and build up the western ends. Shifting winds sculpt the dunes. marine habitat. Evidence of the American Indians who settled in the forests and Civil War new inventions like rifled cannon and ironclad warships Storms also alter islands’ shapes when waves wash over the sur- marshes helps archeologists understand the native peoples’ long called for new defenses. The US Army Coast Artillery Corps built faces and rearrange sand. Such constant changes are slowed Congress established the national seashore in 1971 to protect history. After ”discovery” by Europeans came a long struggle for underwater mines, searchlights, a complex system for tracking only by the protective covering of grasses and other plants on the barrier islands, wildlife, salt marshes, historic structures, and the region’s control. Eventually Florida and Mississippi became targets at sea, and huge guns in concrete batteries. These coastal the dunes and island interiors. Sea oats (shown above) have archeological sites along the Gulf of Mexico, and to provide rec- part of the United States. The US government developed the first defense systems became obsolete after World War II, and the elaborate stem and root systems that play a vital role in holding reational opportunities. The long, narrow islands are composed federal tree farm at Naval Live Oaks Area in 1828 for the single military eventually abandoned the fortifications. these islands together. NPS NPS NPS NPS NPS Dunes of snow-white sand on Horn Island, Fort Pickens, completed 1834, on Santa Rosa The waters of the sounds, bays, and bayous are less salty than the Gulf. A great blue heron at sunset. Saw palmetto grows under stands of pine and Mississippi. Island, Florida. oak. American Indians found medicinal uses for its berries. Mainland Homes for Plants and Animals Bayou Despite nature’s unrelenting forces, life clings tenaciously to the barrier islands. Sound Grasses and other plants slow the con- stant change process. Shrubs and some Whiting trees stand only a little higher than the dunes that protect them from salt spray. Cordgrass can tolerate fluctuating sea levels. Submerged roots break down, Florida Pompano helping to create ”nursery grounds” where finfish and shellfish grow. Barrier Island Interior marshes collect rainwater and Gulf Flounder Red Drum support many plants and animals. Nutri- Opossum Gulf of Mexico ents washed from the mainland enrich Fiddler Crab the waters of the bayous, sounds, and bays, which are less salty than the Gulf. Here shrimp and fish spend parts of their Shrimp lives. Herons, egrets, and fiddler crabs Lined Hermit Crab reproduce and thrive. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Diamondback Terrapin Brown Clapper Rail Pelican The barrier islands also protect plant and animal communities on the mainland coast. Eastern Oyster Blue Crab Osprey Raccoon Armadillo Cottonmouth Great Blue Heron Five-lined Skink ANIMAL AND MARINE LIFE ILLUSTRATIONS NPS / DOROTHY-MICHELLE NOVICK BARRIER ISLAND ILLUSTRATION NPS / ROBERT W. TOPE Exploring Gulf Islands VISITING THE MISSISSIPPI AREAS VISITING THE FLORIDA AREAS On the mainland, William M. Colmer Visitor The barrier islands, about 10 miles offshore, Primitive camping is allowed on East Ship, Historic Fort Barrancas, Fort Pickens, and call 850-934-2656. • For Okaloosa take Fishing is allowed from Fort Pickens fishing Center in Davis Bayou, near Ocean Springs, offer dramatic scenery, but facilities are limit- Horn, and Petit Bois islands. (Groups of 10 or Naval Live Oaks offer information and ex- US 98 east past Fort Walton Beach. pier without a license. Otherwise, state fish- offers information, a bookstore, maps, exhib- ed. You can reach Cat, East Ship, Horn, and more must get a permit). Camping is allowed hibits. All Florida areas are open daily; how- ing licensing and regulations apply. its, and films. The center is closed on Thanks- Petit Bois islands only by private boat. Use on Cat Island on National Park Service land. ever, visitor centers at Fort Barrancas and Camping reservations highly recommended. giving, December 25, and January 1. For your own boat or hire a licensed operator Camping is not allowed on West Ship Island Fort Pickens are closed Thanksgiving, De- Visit www.recreation.gov or call 877-444- Boaters follow NOAA charts 11378, 11383, hours, programs, and boating and fishing from the list at the visitor center in Davis or on privately owned land on Cat Island. cember 25, and January 1. For programs, 6777 for reservations. Naval Live Oaks Youth and 11384. regulations, check the park website, www. Bayou and on our website. hours, and guided tours, visit www.nps.gov/ Group Camping Pavilion (see map below) is nps.gov/guis or call 228-230-4100. Bring all your food and drinking water. Prac- guis or call 850-934-2600. for organized groups. Hike self-guiding trails at Fort Barrancas, To visit West Ship Island, take the passenger tice “Leave No Trace” principles and remove Fort Pickens, Perdido Key, and Naval Live Follow signs for Gulf Islands National Sea- ferry from Gulfport, March through October, all trash. For information visit www.lnt.org. To reach the mainland forts and National Some pavilions may be reserved. Call the Oaks. shore along I-10 and US 90. Davis Bayou or dock your boat near Fort Massachusetts, Naval Aviation Museum, take Blue Angels Special Use Permits Office, 850-934-2605. campground (open year-round, no reserva- during daylight hours only, year-round. Free State fishing regulations apply. Parkway (FL 173) to the West Gate of Dunes may be closed to restore vegetation. tions) has electricity, water hookups, a sew- exhibits and tours are available seasonally. Pensacola Naval Air Station. • For Perdido Swim beaches are at Rosamond Johnson age dump station, group tent area, picnic Follow the boardwalk to the swim beach, Boaters follow NOAA charts 11372, 11373, Key, take Barrancas Avenue (FL 292) from Beach on Perdido Key, Langdon Beach at Entrance fees apply at Fort Pickens, Perdido pavilions, and a boat launch. Self-guiding pavilions, restrooms, showers, and snack bar. and 11374. Pensacola. • For Fort Pickens, Naval Live Fort Pickens, Opal Beach at Santa Rosa, and Key, Fort Barrancas, Okaloosa, and Opal hiking and bicycling trails are available. Fishing, boating, and dogs are prohibited in Oaks, and Santa Rosa, take US 98 east to Okaloosa. Do not swim in shipping channels. Beach, or show valid National Parks or Fed- the swim beach area. Pensacola Bay Bridge. • Fort Pickens Road eral Recreational Lands pass. is subject to flooding; for current status, Davis Bayou (Mississippi) FOR A SAFE VISIT Fort Barrancas, Fort Pickens, Advanced Redoubt, and Naval Live Oaks (Florida) Never swim alone. Be- sunscreen. Watch for For all park regulations, ware of sharks, jellyfish, changing surf and including firearms, check rip currents, stingrays, weather conditions. the park website. Portuguese man-of-war, • No glass containers on and barnacle-covered beaches. • Carry out all Emergencies call 911 rocks. • Watch for sud- trash. • Metal detectors den storms. Do not stand prohibited anywhere in Accessibility We strive on piers, beaches, or for- the park. • Motor vehi- to make our facilities, tifications during thun- cles must stay on the services, and programs derstorms. • Use caution roads. • Bird nesting ar- accessible to all. Call or if exploring forts and eas may be closed during check our website. batteries. Carry a flash- nesting seasons. • Do light for dark passage- not feed or disturb wild- ways. For your safety, life. • Spear-fishing is some fortifications are not allowed anywhere in closed. • Sunlight is in- the park. • Federal law tense. Wear protective protects all wildlife, clothing, drink plenty of plants, and historic fluids, and always use objects. ISLAND WILDERNESS AREAS In 1978 Congress desig- provide opportunities shelter, facilities, or nated Horn and Petit for solitude and primi- communication. Park Bois islands—among the tive recreation. Preserv- rangers can help you few undeveloped barri- ing wilderness benefits plan. For information er islands on the Gulf generations to follow. visit www.wilderness. coast—as wilderness ar- net or www.nps.gov/ eas. Uncommon species Before visiting Horn and guis. of birds, animals, and Petit Bois islands, ask a marine life are protect- ranger about wilderness Practice ”Leave No Davis Bayou, on the mainland, has no ed here. These areas area regulations and the Trace” principles while swim beach. To reach public beaches also preserve the land’s difficulties of visiting visiting these wilderness go west on US 90, turn south at the Ocean natural conditions and places without water, areas. Springs business district onto Washington Avenue, and proceed to Front Beach. MORE INFORMATION Gulf Islands National Mississippi Areas Florida Areas Seashore is one of Gulf Islands Gulf Islands more than 400 parks National Seashore National Seashore in the National Park 3500 Park Rd.