The National Seashore is primarily barrier islands stretching about 160 miles from Fort Walton Beach, FL to Cat Island, MS. They serve as natural protection against storms from the Gulf of Mexico that would otherwise hit the mainland with even greater force. This is hurricane alley. There are also limited onshore locations that include archeological sites and historic structures including fortifications that provide a different kind of protection. Shirley and I have camped at Davis Bayou, MS but there is no beach there so when we think Gulf Islands, we think Fort Pickens offshore from Pensacola.
Fort Pickens is located at the western tip of Santa Rosa Island that is, in places, barely above sea level. Even a relatively modest breeze can drive water and powdery white sand across the road. Campers need to pay attention to the weather. We have had reservations canceled because of temporary road closures. On other occasions, we could get through while they were plowing the roads for sand the way snow in plowed in the North. There is also the possibility that you might get in but find it impossible to get out. Still, these days, we are far more concerned about not getting in because the campground is full. But we could say that about virtually all of the National Parks.
Santa Rosa Island is reached via a long causeway. Turn left at the end and you enter a resort community. Turn right for the National Seashore. The island is quite narrow at the park entrance station with views of Pensacola Bay on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The picturesque old fort was built to guard the entrance to Pensacola Bay and served as the prison for Apache chief Geronimo and members of his band from 1886 until they were moved to Fort Sill, OK in 1894. There are also more recent vintage fortifications including three shore batteries and lookout towers used during WWII.
Our favorite site in Fort Pickens Campground. Have not been able to get our favorite site since 2011. Sometimes you are just forced to make do.
This is what "make do" means.
Historic Fort Pickens was completed in 1834.
Armadillo snuffling around for bugs and grubs.
Condos with beach access just outside the park.
The Blackbird Marsh Trail.
Armadillo tracks. You can tell by the furrow his tail makes between the paw prints in the sand.
Because the island runs east-west, you get both sunrise and sunset views.
Moon isn't bad either.
Easy to tell why it is called a ghost crab.
Portuguese man of war.
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