Gulf Islands National Seashore The Island Breeze Park Newspaper - 2018 Edition Contents: Message from the Superintendent 2 Mississippi Areas 5 For Kids 11 Things to Do 3 Park Map and Distances 6-7 Entrance Fees 12 Plan Your Visit 4 Florida Areas 8-9 Permits 7 Reservations 12 Park Regulations & Safety. 4 Camping & Programs 10 Contact Us 12 Welcome to Gulf Islands National Seashore! (• Numbers to Know •) Welcome to Gulf Islands National N r Seashore! A visit to the country's largest national seashore has something for everyone - building sand castles and sunbathing on sugar white beaches, January 8,1971 camping out under the stars and watching eagles & osprey overhead by day, exploring forts with cannons, tunnels, and 160 miles draw bridges. With all there is to see and do on land, visitors are often surprised to find that a majority of the park - over 80% 139,175 acres - is marine, with park waters extending a mile into the Gulf of Mexico and into the quieter waters of the Santa Rosa and Mississippi sounds. Passengers Bk Seashore ifl aboard the West Ship Island ferry in Mississippi are often treated to pods of dolphins and diving pelicans. This year visitors will have a choice of departing from either Gulfport or Biloxi for their 11 mile voyage to the island. And for the very first time, in 2018 visitors will also be able to venture between Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Fort Pickens aboard ferry boats operated by a park concessioner. Park rangers will be aboard during the summer to point out wildlife and bring the rich history of Pensacola Bay to life. Be sure to ask the ranger about the only underwater fort (Fort McRee), a casualty of our ever-migrating barrier islands. Tickets will include "hop-on, hop-ofP' privileges so passengers can visit different destinations throughout the day. Park entrance fees are waived for ferry passengers, and free tram service will connect Fort Pickens and Langdon Beach. Relax, enjoy, explore! 5 types of sea turtles Dan Brown 345 species of birds Superintendent Help preserve and protect Gulf Islands National Seashore by joining our volunteer corps! To learn about current volunteer opportunities visit www.nps.gov/guis/getinvolved/volunteer.htm • Black Powder Demonstrations Living History Demonstrations • Campground Hosts Site Hosts To inquire about additional opportunities, • Guided Programs group opportunities, or ask general questions; email [email protected] Guest Services • Historic Preservation Staffing Visitor Facilities • Librarian Page 2 Things to Do Beach-combing Bird Watching Boating The quartz sand beaches Many different birds call Did you know that over of Gulf Islands National Gulf Islands home. From 80% of the park is located Seashore are some of the herons to plovers, you're in the water? Boating can be best in the United States. bound to see a wide variety a great way to experience Whether you're taking in the while visiting the national the blue-green waters of sun, throwing the Frisbee, seashore. If you're interested the Gulf of Mexico and or searching the sand for in tracking the birds you see the many sounds, bayous, wildlife and seashells, the download the Bird Checklist and bays in the area. Don't park's beaches offer endless site bulletin from the park's have your own boat? Check fun for the whole family. website at www.nps.gov/guis/ the calendar section of our Please remember to leave /planyourvisit/brochures.htm website for ranger-led kayak what you find and take what or small skiff programs. you bring to the beach, Check weather and sea including trash. reports before heading out on the water. Camping Fishing Hiking Two campgrounds offer There are plenty of Throughout each area of RV and tent camping opportunities to catch the big the national seashore there with modern amenities one. Whether you're on the are many hiking trails to including warm showers and beach, a pier, or a boat, you'll explore. In Florida, you'll restrooms. probably see visitors casting a find over 15 miles of the Looking for a wilder line. Keep in mind that park Florida National Scenic experience? Backcountry regulations regarding fishing Trail. Always be prepared for camping is permitted in correspond to the state inclement weather, including several areas of the park as fishing regulations of Florida thunderstorms. Check well. Go to page 10 for more and Mississippi when you're weather reports before information on camping in fishing in those states. hiking in the park. the park. Picnicking Ranger Programs Self-guiding Tours There are many picnic areas Experience the national Want to explore the historic and pavilions throughout seashore with a ranger or structures preserved at Gulf the national seashore. Some volunteer. Programs vary in Islands National Seashore of the pavilions may be topic from the historic forts at your own pace? Pick up a reserved ahead of your visit. to the unique environment self-guiding tour brochure See the back page for more of barrier islands, and even for historic forts and information about reserving under water. The calendar batteries. Informative signs a pavilion. Please remember section of our website (www. throughout each area are also to practice Leave No Trace nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/ full of stories and facts about principles and Pack It In, calendar.htm for ranger-led the structures and places. Pack It Out. programs and activities. Swimming Visitor Centers & Wildlife Viewing Swim beaches are located © Discovery Center From alligators to the on the gulf and soundside Take an in-depth look into of many of the park's areas Perdido Key Beach Mouse, the things that make Gulf Gulf Islands is teeming and islands. Be mindful of Islands National Seashore surf conditions. In some with wildlife. An exciting a special place. The park's experience for any visitor, areas, flags are used to visitor centers, headquarters show current conditions. but please remember to keep building, and discovery your distance and do not Remember rip currents can center are full of hands-on, happen at any time. Know disturb the wildlife. If you're interactive, and audio-visual interested in tracking the what to do if you get caught exhibits for visitors to enjoy in a rip current before animals you see while you're and learn more about the in the park, download an entering the water and never park's history and ecology. swim alone. Animal Checklist site bulletin. Page 3 Plan Your Visit Florida One Hour: Three Hours: One Day: Three Days or more: Visit one of the park's historic Sit back, relax, and take in the With a whole day in the park, If you're planning to stay in forts and take a guided or self- sun at one of the park's many explore multiple areas, and the park for three days or guiding tour. Take a hike along beach access points. Be sure to learn about how the different more, consider camping at one of the park's many nature bring plenty of sunblock and fortifications around Pensacola Fort Pickens Campground, a trails. Explore the exhibits at water. Take a break from the Bay worked together to defend beautiful campground within park headquarters, the visitor sun by exploring one of the the deep water harbor and the walking distance of some of the center at Fort Barrancas, or the indoor exhibit facilities or have old Pensacola Navy Yard. If best beaches on the gulf coast. discovery center at Fort Pickens. a picnic lunch at one of the you're in the park on a weekday, Explore more of the far reaches Go for a ride in your car or on many park picnic shelters. Cast stop by Naval Live Oaks Area of the park including Perdido a bike down one of the park's your line at the Fort Pickens and learn about the first federal Key, the Okaloosa Area, or the scenic drives in Santa Rosa or Fishing Pier or in the surf. tree farm. Mississippi Areas of the national Fort Pickens Areas. seashore. Mississippi One Hour: Three Hours: One Day: Three Days or more: Stop by the William M. Colmer Take in one of the park's many If you're at the park during the The Davis Bayou Campground Visitor Center in the Davis ranger-led programs. A full list summer season, take the ferry to is a very popular location for Bayou Area to learn about the is always posted on the park's West Ship Island. Enjoy the gulf campers, especially during the spectacular natural and cultural website. During the summer from this barrier island where cooler season. If you're feeling features of Gulf Islands National months skiff boat and kayak there are plenty of opportunities adventurous take a boat ride to Seashore in Mississippi. Take a tours of the bayou are offered. to beach comb, explore, swim, one of the park's barrier islands quick walk through the Nature Go for a hike by traveling the picnic, and take a tour of like Horn Island or Petit Bois Loop Trail and see what wildlife Davis Bayou Trail, the CCC historic Fort Massachusetts. See Island. See page five to find a you can spot in the bayou. Overlook Trail, or the Nature page five for more information list of authorized charter boats. Loop Trail. on visiting West Ship Island. Consider heading over to the Florida Areas of the seashore. Safety Reminders & Important Park Regulations For Your Safety: 911 The sun can be Be mindful of Closed areas Extreme In Case of an intense. Wear uneven surfaces protect you and weather possible Emergency sunblock wildlife Call 911 Important Park Regulations: Glass not Pets are not Metal detectors Off road driving Unmanned Learn more and get a complete list of permitted on permitted on are not prohibited in Aircraft are not park regulations on our website beaches beaches permitted all areas permitted www.nps.gov/GulfIslands Shorebird Closures When walking on the beaches of the national seashore between February and September, DO NOT ENTER be sure to keep a keen eye out for signs and posts marking shorebird nesting areas.