Operating Hours
Open year-round.

Visitation
Highest May-July; lowest January and February.

Permits
No permit needed.

Visitors Center and Programs
Visitor Center: Visitor centers/contact stations are at Davis Bayou and West Ship Island in Mississippi and at Naval Live Oaks, Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas in Florida.

Programs: Various interpretive programs are provided throughout the year. Consult seasonal activity schedule for dates and times. Both self-guided and ranger-led fort tours are available.

Food Supplies and Concessions
Food/Supplies: Snacks available seasonally at the Perdido Key Area, Fort Pickens Area, Ship Island Ferry and West Ship Island. Food and supplies available seasonally from the Fort Pickens Area campground store. Local restaurants and grocery stores open year-round.

Concessions: The visitor centers sell books and other theme-related sales items. Eastern National operates sales outlets at Fort Pickens, Fort Barrancas and Naval Live Oaks in Florida and at Davis Bayou and West Ship Island in Mississippi. Concession boat to West Ship Island March-October operated by Pan Isles, Inc .

Visitor Impact
Visitors are reminded to use the boardwalks or designated paths to the beaches to prevent dune erosion. The dunes stabilize the islands which in turn provide protection to the mainland during storms. Protect seagrass beds by swimming or snorkeling over them, and not walking through them. The seagrass beds provide a nursery for much of the commercial seafood and other marine life, and are extremely fragile.

Do not swim alone in unguarded waters. When diving, practice "feet first, first time." Be cautious about rip currents, jellyfish, Portuguese man-of-war, and barnacle-covered rocks.

Additional Information