Gulf Islands National Seashore

Visitors share the shore with wildlife at Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Walk in white sugary sands at the national seashore.

Fort Massachusetts on West Ship Island in Mississippi.

The clear blue waters, brilliant white sand beaches, marshes and historic sites of Gulf Islands National Seashore stretch 160 miles from Santa Rosa Island in Florida to Cat Island in Mississippi.

In the seashore there are forts, a federal tree farm approved by John Quincy Adams and traces of early inhabitants.

In Florida, a life-guarded beach is located at the Perdido Key Area. To be safe in the water observe the water safety flags. Primitive camping is allowed on the eastern end of Perdido Key and a Loop A at the Fort Pickens Campground.

Visitors can fish from the beach if no swimmers are about, snorkel, scuba dive, cycle on designated paths and walk on nature trails.

In Mississippi, the visitor center, a fishing pier, short nature trail and 51-site campground are on the mainland at Ocean Springs on Davis Bayou.

The islands in the Mississippi district are about 10 miles offshore. Concession boat trips to West Ship Island from Gulfport are offered from March through October. Call 1-866-466-7386 for passenger ferry information to

West Ship Island.

Transportation to wilderness islands must be made with National Park Service-licensed boat operators. Primitive camping is allowed on East Ship, Horn and Petit Bois islands. Food and water must be packed in and trash packed out.

In Mississippi, the park office is at 3500 Park Road in

Ocean Springs.

Because of hurricane damage to the Florida District island roads, access to the Fort Pickens Area is by foot, bike, or boat. The island road section from Navarre Beach, Fla. to Opal Beach (Route 399) at the Santa Rosa Area was scheduled to reopen in summer 2008. Call for up-to-date road information at 850-934-2600.