Johnson Beach Road re-opens at Gulf Islands National Seashore

GULF BREEZE — Gulf Islands National Seashore has re-opened Johnson Beach Road within the Perdido Key Area of the seashore after a 10-month closure for repairs.

This is one of the new parking signs on Perdido Key Beach Road at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Gulf Breeze.

New No Parking signs have been placed on Perdido Key Beach Road at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Gulf Breeze.

Perdido Key includes important nesting habitats and park infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Sally last year. Temporary repairs to Johnson Beach Road are complete while waiting for permanent repairs to begin in early September 2021.

Visitors can expect the following during their visit:

  • new “ROADSIDE PARKING ALLOWED BEYOND THIS POINT” signs to identify parking areas on both side of road between boardwalks H, I, and J.
  • new “NO PARKING” signs and pavement markings between boardwalks A-H identifying non-parking areas.
  • increased enforcement of prohibited roadside parking outside of designated areas.
  • Oversized vehicles, including RVs and vehicles towing trailers, are not allowed at Perdido Key to ensure a maximum amount of available parking.

This boardwalk on Perdido Key Beach Road is no longer present because of damage caused by Hurricane Sally in Gulf Breeze.

Many areas where over-wash occurred and sand is on the road are depicted in this aerial image of damage to the Gulf Islands National Seashore Perdido Key Area caused by Hurricanes Sally and Zeta.

Johnson Beach Road will be managed differently than in prior years. These new parking strategies are expected to protect vegetation and allow the natural rebuilding of dunes and coastal habitats. Vehicles are required to have all four tires parked in the sand or to the right of the white road line.

Maximum parking capacity protocols will still be upheld. Once parking is filled to maximum capacity, the area will be closed to entry. Additionally, vehicles will not be permitted to line up at the parking lot entrance or park alongside the entrance road from Perdido Key Drive to wait for parking to become available.

Visitors will be permitted to enter the Perdido Key Area as space becomes available.

Information regarding capacity will be posted on the electronic message board at the park entrance.

This is a current example of temporary parking on Perdido Key Beach Road in Gulf Islands National Seashore.

HOURS

The current hours for Perdido Key Area/Johnson Beach are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Gulf Islands National Seashore's address is 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze.

Go to www.nps.gov for more information.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosas Press Gazette: Johnson Beach Road re-opens at Gulf Islands National Seashore