Release Date: April 13, 2023
Contacts: Stephenie Wade, Stephenie_Wade@nps.gov
GULF BREEZE, Fla. - Gulf Islands National Seashore has temporarily closed visitor access and facilities in the Opal Beach and Fort Pickens areas for weather recovery operations beginning at 8 a.m., April 13.
Closed areas include Fort Pickens Road, Fort Pickens Campground, Opal Beach Complex and beach access areas, and Johnson Beach Road beyond the parking lot in the Perdido Key area. Naval Live Oaks, Okaloosa and Perdido Key area will remain open.
Current campers are advised to shelter in place. Camping reservations beginning Thursday, April 13, will be canceled until further notice.
“Overnight, the park accumulated significant amounts of rainfall, causing standing water and sand on the roadways,” said Superintendent Darrell Echols. “Our priority is to ensure the safest environment possible for park visitors and staff. The reopening is dependent on staff assessment and sand removal from the roadway. The park will announce changes as appropriate.”
Last night, severe weather impacted the Florida district of the park resulting in overwash, standing water and sand on the roadways. Park staff will continue to access conditions for a potential reopening on Friday, April 14.
For more information, please follow the park’s social media accounts and website.
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/GulfIslands, on Facebook www.facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPS, Twitter www.twitter.com/GulfIslandsNPS, and Instagram www.Instagram.com/GulfIslandsNPS.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
