The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a beautiful landscape of rolling dunes and white sands. The stretch of seashore covers both the east and west strips of land making up Pensacola Beach. Pristine, preserved, and protected, the Gulf Island National Seashore is a sight to see whether you are a local or someone visiting.
I’m a native to Pensacola and have spent a large portion of my life out on Pensacola Beach. One of my favorite places to be is Ft. Pickens, located at the west end of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. I learned how to first ride my bike without training wheels while camping there as a kid. We’ve caught big fish with my dad along the shoreline. The memory list goes on to include hikes through the fort, day trips with our cousins, and so much more.
Fort Pickens contains lots of history, beautiful views, and natural wildlife to explore. Below is a local approved adventure guide to help prepare you for your next trip out to the fort!
Gone Camping
One of my favorite activities at Ft. Pickens is booking one of their campsites. Sites are available for groups, RV’s, and tent camping. With 4 loops to choose from, you can book something more private and primitive, or a site with the hook ups and electricity. You’ll find accessible trails for exploring, bath houses with showers/toilets, picnic tables, and open fire pits. You can book a site here and check out a site map to get your planning started!
Watch Out for Wildlife
There is no shortage of wildlife in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and Ft. Pickens is no exception. If anything, you’ll more than likely see more here than you would down at the other end of the beach. Birds, reptiles, and sea life are the most common kinds.
Keep an eye out for the bald eagle family, just past Loop D, down the hiking path, and to the right. The small bridge just ahead is home to a snapping turtle with a huge head. He’ll often times come out to say hi if you stop for a moment while you are passing by.
The rattle snakes are something to look out for, as they do a great job of camouflaging with the natural floor. Listen with your ears and look wisely with your eyes. You are sure to see some or all of these different types of wild life!
Local Pass is Worth the 45
The fort and surrounding areas of the Gulf Islands National Seashore do require a fee for entry. For Ft. Pickens specifically, I’ve shared the basic price points below. There are days of the year that National Parks are free to enter, and I’ve shared that link for more info here.
$15 – Pedestrian, bike, etc.
$20 – Motorcycle
$25 – Single Day Vehicle
$45 – Annual Park Pass
If you are a frequent flyer of the fort, I’d highly recommend investing in the annual. It’s a great place to take visiting family and friends, as well as a retreat for locals who want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the main beach.
Hit the Ferry Store
At the far west end point you’ll find the remains of the fort, vantage points looking far out into the Gulf, and the ferry store. Within the fort itself, there is a gift shop and history museum that offers guided tours.
The ferry store is connected with the local ferry service, offering snacks and a restroom to those who travel by ferry back and forth. The ferry service runs from the spring through the summer and will take day trips, watch blue angel practices, and peruse around the Pensacola Bay for a bit.
You can visit the website here to learn more about touring the fort or catching a ferry ride for the sunset!
Surf’s Up
If you are a local, then you more than likely know that the break down at Ft. Pickens is where lots of surfers like to go. Not only is the area more reserved and quiet, the break is typically better than most other places when good surf hits. There are a few spots that the surfers like to go. Two Guns is the one way road on the left just before the forts entrance, and the pass is at the west end point, only accessible by parking and getting your steps in.
Casting A Rod & Throwing A Net
Since I can remember, Ft. Pickens was always my dad’s favorite place to fish. I think it’s a combination of deeper water right off the shoreline, and less people there most of the time. We’ve always had good luck posting up with a couple of rods and some stinky shrimp. I’ve also got a few friends who have gone out in the evenings with head lights, net, and a bucket for crabbing. If you are a person who likes to fish, I’d bet you’ll have good chances down at Ft. Pickens.
There you have it. The inside scoop to help prepare you for your next visit to the fort! We are so blessed to have access to this National Park. If you are passionate about nature and national park preservation, you can visit the Ft. Pickens website here to learn more and get involved.
Happy adventuring!
Local Pulse Writer and Life Long Local, Makenna Curtis
