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Gulf Islands National Seashore Review
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Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Phone: 850/934-2600
- www.nps.gov/guis
- Category: Parks
- Location: Pensacola Beach
Fodor's Review:
Dotting the 150-mi stretch between Destin, Florida, and Gulfport, Mississippi, is Gulf Islands National Seashore, managed by the National Park Service. The Gulf Islands National Seashore, which bookends Pensacola beach on the east and west with miles of unsullied, undeveloped beach, has reopened, and the main road -- buried under 5 mi of sand after Ivan -- was expected, as of this writing, to be cleared by mid-2007. Once accessible (call to verify) Fort Pickens Road will permit access to Fort Pickens (see below), a pre-Civil War-era brick fortress that once served as the jail of Apache chief Geronimo. At Opal Beach Day Use Area (Rte. 399, 5 mi east of Pensacola Beach) you'll find pristine coastline, barbecue areas, covered picnic facilities, and restrooms. At the western tip of the island and part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens dates to 1834. Constructed of more than 21 million locally made bricks, the fort once served as the prison of Apache chief Geronimo. A National Park Service plaque describes the complex as a "confusing jumble of fortifications," but the real attractions here are the beach, nature exhibits, a large campground, an excellent gift shop, and breathtaking views of Pensacola Bay and the lighthouse across the inlet. It's the perfect place for a picnic lunch and a bit of history, too. Ft. Pickens Rd. 850/934-2635. $8 per car. Daily 7-sunset.
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