Fort Pickens Campground

Overview

Fort Pickens Campground is situated on Santa Rosa Island, a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore south of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, Florida. Visitors are drawn to the Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with us today!

Each camp site offers a fire pit, picnic table, and a paved pad to park on. There are heated showers and flush toilets. We offer electric and non-electric sites. Many of our sites have restrictions from low limbs or bushes so be sure you will fit.

Limited overflow parking is available but not guaranteed. Choose a site that will accommodate all of your equipment.

You must be 18 yrs old to reserve a campsite.

Campers may not stay in the campground more than 14 consecutive days. This policy is strictly enforced.

Entrance fees are required for the Fort Pickens area and are good for seven consecutive days from purchase.

Pets are NOT allowed on ferries, piers, in forts, batteries, pavilions, or inside any of the facilities.

Cancellation fees and Modification fees are non-refundable.

Pets are not allowed on any beach within Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Cutting of trees, limbs, or branches will result in a fine and a non-refundable cancelation of all reservations.

A fire may be ignited and maintained only by using fuel sources designed and commonly used for warmth or the preparation of food, such as charcoal briquettes or natural firewood. Lighting or maintaining a fire with other materials including, but not limited to, flammable liquids, garbage, fireworks, plastics, aerosol canisters, batteries, or other manufactured or synthetic materials, is prohibited.

Recreation

Many visitors young and old come to Fort Pickens to enjoy its scenic location on the beach. The white sands of Gulf Islands National Seashore are the perfect place for a long walk or an afternoon on the beach. The warm ocean waters are great for swimming and snorkeling. You will find a fishing pier just a short distance from Fort Pickens and can be used by visitors without a Florida fishing license. Hiking trails provide beautiful views and hours of exploration. Historic Fort Pickens, a pentagonal fort built to defend Pensacola Bay in 1834, is just 1 mile from the campground. The structure was fortified after the War of 1812 and was one of four forts in the South never occupied by Confederates during the Civil War.

Pets are not allowed on the beach, ferries, piers, in forts, batteries, pavilions, or inside any of the facilities.

Facilities

This campground is open for reservations year-round. It contains 137 family sites with electricity (20, 30 & 50 amp) and water hookups, as well as 40 non-electric tent sites, one non-electric tent only group site with water hookup is also available. Fort Pickens also has 6 wheelchair accessible sites with electricity and 2 wheelchair accessible sites without electricity. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station in each campground . There are no boat ramps in the Fort Pickens area. All Fort Pickens campsites are available for reservations up to 6 months in advance. Fort Pickens does not have a wait list. You can set up alerts with your rec.gov account to be notified when a site opens.

Natural Features

The campground is located on a barrier island between the Gulf of America and Pensacola Bay. Groves of live oak trees are scattered across the island, providing shelter for resident and migrating bird populations, as well as shade for park visitors. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is home to sparkling blue waters, white beaches and coastal marshes. However, more than 80% of the national park is underwater, as it's a vital protective habitat to marine life.

Pets are NOT allowed on beaches, ferries, piers, in forts, batteries, pavilions, or inside any of the facilities.

Nearby Attractions

The campground is a short distance from restaurants and beach nightlife, downtown Pensacola, the Pensacola Naval Air Station and Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse and other historic sites. Campsites are within 1/4 mile of the beaches.

What people do here

• biking
• boating
• camping
• fishing
• hiking
• historic & cultural site
• interpretive programs
• kayaking
• picnicking
• scuba diving
• snorkeling
• surfing
• swimming
• swimming site
• visitor center
• water sports
• wildlife viewing