Historic landmark built to defend Pensacola Bay, plus discovery center, nearby beach & fishing pier.
At a glance
#2 of 4 Tourist attractions in Pensacola BeachLocalGuideWorld score: 4.79
Rating breakdown
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5 ★88%
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4 ★8%
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3 ★3%
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2 ★1%
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1 ★1%
Quick facts
- What is the rating of Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Island National Seashore?
- Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Island National Seashore is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 432 reviews.
- How does Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Island National Seashore rank in Pensacola Beach?
- Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Island National Seashore is #2 of 4 Tourist attractions in Pensacola Beach by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
- Where is Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Island National Seashore located?
- 1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 — 13.2 km from the center of Pensacola Beach.
- How can I contact Fort Pickens Area of Gulf Island National Seashore?
- Phone: (850) 934-2600 · Website: nps.gov
In my top 3 favorite beaches I've been to in America. All the appeal of Destin beach minus the touristy garbage. Just pristine nature and wildlife. Exploring the fort completely alone at 7am before everyone got up was also a fantastic experience. Also only 30 minutes to downtown Pensacola. Plan ahead and camp for the night! Truly an underrated gem nationwide.
We are local to the Florida/Alabama Gulf Coast! Visiting the Fort and the park is always a treat. It’s a great place to watch the Blue Angels practice as well. If you like to camp I highly recommend their campgrounds, but check vehicle height restrictions prior to booking. We treasure this beautiful sanctuary and it is a must see for anyone that can make the trip! We buy a Gulf Islands Park annual pass and use it to visit several other areas, including Johnson’s Beach.
We went there for sunset. It was amazing. You might stay hrs watching sun goes down, sky getting painted with different colors.
The fort is well worth the $25 entrance fee, the beautiful beaches are icing on top. Please please get the app and do the walking tour, it's well set up and makes the experience so much better. The kids had a blast exploring, and I'd narrate the tour so they actually learned about what they were looking at.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore - Ft Pickens area is pretty cool to see. It was a hot September and the fort had areas to keep you cool. Bring plenty of water as their is only 2 places to buy drinks if you plan to spend several hours to see the historic buildings. You can see the Pensacola lighthouse from the fort. There is a fee to enter the area.
One word could sum it up- "go!"
A fort to explore, surrounded by the gorgeous powdery beaches and gulf waters- go! Also, check the Blue Angels practice schedule. You can see them fly from here.
There are a few restroom options throughout and a really great covered picnic area to let you eat and rest for a few minutes out of the sun. If you have kiddos ask about the Jr. Ranger program. They can earn a badge. Plan to spend the day by bringing sunscreen, drinks, food and plenty snacks. The beaches have a lot to explore themselves so bring a net, fishing poles, buckets, sand castle building supplies, swimwear, towels, and baby powder for the excess sand if the beach is of interest. If you plan and pack ahead you will have a wonderful day learning, exploring and then soaking up some beach time.
A fort to explore, surrounded by the gorgeous powdery beaches and gulf waters- go! Also, check the Blue Angels practice schedule. You can see them fly from here.
There are a few restroom options throughout and a really great covered picnic area to let you eat and rest for a few minutes out of the sun. If you have kiddos ask about the Jr. Ranger program. They can earn a badge. Plan to spend the day by bringing sunscreen, drinks, food and plenty snacks. The beaches have a lot to explore themselves so bring a net, fishing poles, buckets, sand castle building supplies, swimwear, towels, and baby powder for the excess sand if the beach is of interest. If you plan and pack ahead you will have a wonderful day learning, exploring and then soaking up some beach time.
LOVE GINS! If you are a beach lover, bird watcher, and you want to be off the beaten path, this is the beach for you. Great clean facilities, nature trails, sunsets, sunrises. The ocean is clean, emerald green, clear water. The campgrounds are well run and taken care of. I love the history of Fort Pickens. It's a 5 star place all the way! Highly recommended
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Nearby Places
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Fort Pickens Ferry Pier
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Fort Pickens Fishing Pier
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Fort Pickens Jetty
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Fort Pickens Beach Point
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US Navy Bachlor Quarters
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All Faiths Chapel
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NAS ID Office
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Naval Air Station Pensacola
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US Navy Comptroller
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US Navy Management Info
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