WalkingBuddies.com

Information courtesy of National Park Service

Hiking: There is extensive hiking throughout the Florida District of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. A wide variety of habitats can be explored from beach to forest. You can walk the beautiful white sand beaches or take a stroll on one of the many trails through barrier islands, maritime forests or wetlands. Self-guided trails help hikers discover the park’s natural resources.

For your safety there are a couple of things to remember. Florida has a temperate climate and it is not unusual for it to rain, so be prepared for a thunderstorm. If caught in an approaching lightning storm, lie flat in low-lying dunes. Also insects are more a problem in the summer then in the winter but always be prepared with a good insect repellent. Of course, sunburn is always best combated with sunscreen with a high SPF and sunglasses. Closed signs are posted for dune preservation, restoration of the area or for nesting shorebirds.

There are many beautiful areas to sit and enjoy a picnic lunch as you hike. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Have your camera, binoculars and field guide close at hand to identify the numerous plants and animals. There are wonderful views for sketching or painting.

Always use care when investigating under fallen trees or among dense foliage; some inhabitants may bite when surprised by a searching hand.

In Florida, camping and picnicking are still available in the Naval Live Oaks area. Click on Pavilion Application, if you would like more information about renting a pavilion in this section of the park located in Gulf Breeze, Florida. If you have an organized youth group and would like to camp in this area, please click on the Naval Live Oaks reservation form. If you would like to rent the pavilion for a wedding event, please click on the Special Use Permit Application.

Sightseeing: Pensacola, Florida, the city of five flags, is the closest city to the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Pensacola is the home of the Blue Angels based at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Sites to visit include the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola’s Museum of Art, the Civil War Museum, and Historic Pensacola Village. Parades, fairs and festivals occur all year including Mardi Gras festivities. Other types of entertainment include the civic center, golf courses, many movie theaters, a Zoo, skate parks, go-cart tracks and amusement parks. There are facilities that rent boats, kayaks, canoes and have charters for sightseeing, fishing and diving. Visit the Pensacola Visitor Center at www.visitpensacola.com or call 1-800-874-1234.

Biking: The Fort Pickens Area

The Fort Pickens area has a two-mile bike trail through the wetlands and forests. The bike path, which is also part of the Florida Scenic Trail, is located on an old army railroad bed. It is a great place to see animals including great blue herons hunting for a meal, or a family of river otters sliding off the bank and playing in the fresh water canals along the route. Stop at the bridge and view the eastern chicken turtles or Florida cooters swimming in the waters below. Cyclists can also stop at Battery Worth to get a great view of the Gulf of Mexico. The trail wanders through the Fort Pickens campground and terminates at the Langdon Picnic Shelter. Children and adults make this flat bike path a popular place. Be sure to wear your helmets and watch out for other cyclists.

Naval Live Oaks Area

A new Forty-Mile Loop Multi-Use Path is planned in Santa Rosa and Escambia Counties, which connects the Gulf Breeze peninsula and Santa Rosa Island. The Naval Live Oaks Area section is part of the planned 40-mile loop multi-use path which goes east from Gulf Breeze to Navarre. The path will go south across the bridge to Navarre Beach then west to the Santa Rosa Area to Pensacola Beach. The path will cross the Pensacola Beach Bridge. The two-mile section adjacent to U. S. Highway 98 in the Naval Live Oaks Area is complete.

Santa Rosa Area

A seven-mile section of the forty-mile loop multi-use path is scheduled for construction beginning Fall 2001 and should be completed by January 2002.

Birdwatching: The National Seashore comprises several diverse ecological communities which attract a wide variety of bird life. The offshore barrier islands consist of open beaches, dunes, freshwater marshes and wooded areas. On the mainland, also, are freshwater marshes, salt marshes and wooded areas which offer wildlife habitats. More than 280 species of birds have been identified within the boundaries of Gulf Islands National Seashore, since its establishment in January 1971. Pick up a key list of the birds spotted at any of the visitor centers in the Park. The bird check list lists the seasons and the abundance of each of the 280 species. Please report unusual or new sightings to the Interpretation Division, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563.

Guided Tour

There is a guided tour of Fort Pickens everyday at 2:00 p.m. except Christmas Day. The tour begins at the Visitor Center at the Fort.

There is a guided tour of Fort Barrancas (on board the Naval Air Station)everyday at 2:00 p.m.

There is a guided tour of the Advanced Redoubt (on board the Naval Air Station) on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Self Guided Tours

A self-guided tour brochure of Fort Pickens is available at the Fort Pickens Visitor Center. Self- guided tour brochures are available at Fort Barrancas for both Fort Barrancas and the Advanced Redoubt. The Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center Trail has wayside exhibits that describe the use of the Live Oaks in historical shipbuilding.

School Tours

Guided tours are available for school classes in grades 3, 4 and 5. Please call 850-934-2600 for information.

Special Tours

Special tours for large groups or groups needing accessibility attention are also available by calling 850-934-2600.