Gulf Breeze — Gulf Islands National Seashore reopened the Fort Pickens Area today at 10 a.m. The area and campground were closed due to anticipated water and sand on the road caused by gulf over-wash along the road. Park road crews should complete their cleanup of the road this morning to facilitate the reopening.
The Fort Pickens Area features the historic fort, water recreation, fishing, and camping opportunities. The campground features 200 campsites with full power and water hook-ups. Shower and restroom facilities are also available at the campground, which is located near historic Fort Pickens on the western end of Santa Rosa Island. The campground will be available first-come, first-served today.
Starting tomorrow, December 1, 2016, visitors wishing to camp at the Fort Pickens Campground should make reservations through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. For more information on camping at Gulf Islands National Seashore visit www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/camping.htm. For general information, visitors may call (850) 934-2600 or (228) 230-4100.
About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitat. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslands_NPS.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 413 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice and Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Fort Pickens Area reopens today