If you’re heading west on Santa Rosa Island toward Pensacola Beach, the first landmark you’ll pass within the Gulf Islands National Seashore is Opal Beach, named after the 1995 Hurricane Opal. 100’s of cars drive through this area every day down highway 98, many not knowing the amazing adventures that await. You can even step foot on a section of the first road that connected Pensacola to Saint Augustine or test your fitness by scaling the 50 ft sandy clay bluff on the bay. Today, Naval Live Oaks Reservation is open to the public as part of the National Park system with 7.5 miles of hiking trails, primitive youth campsites, dense hardwood forest, windswept shorelines, fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling through grass beds on the sound side. Eventually the need for hardwood diminished as ships were built with iron and steel. The native live oaks that filled the area were reserved for ship building. government in 1828, the area was established as the first federal tree farm. Nestled in between Gulf Breeze Proper and Midway lies Naval Live Oaks Reservation, a 1,300 acre section of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Today the forts and the forest remain beautifully preserved along the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Seashore is now managed by the National Park Service, who offer nature and history tours, as well as maintain the land. It was in 1971 when President Richard Nixon authorized the Gulf Islands National Seashore as a way to protect and preserve the government-owned barrier islands and mainland nature parks along the Gulf Coast. This forest was once a key asset when we relied on a continuous supply of curved wood for constructing naval vessels. In 1828, the government purchased a forest of curvy, live oaks on Pensacola’s mainland, known now as the Naval Live Oaks Reservation. These proved to be extremely useful in the following years, with Fort Pickens in particular being used during the Civil War to drive the Confederacy out of Pensacola. This is for the safety of our visitors, as well as the well-being of wildlife that may live near or venture into the road.During the 1800s, the United States government built various defensive fortifications along the Gulf Coast, including Fort Pickens in Pensacola Beach and Fort Barrancas. The speed limit within the park is 25MPH and is strictly enforced. Rinse your vehicle after driving through any flooding to prevent saltwater corrosion. Avoid driving through flooded areas during high tide and at night. Pay attention to park announcements and the local weather forecast for incoming storms. Some park roads, especially in the Fort Pickens area, are prone to severe flooding which may be impassable to low clearance cars. Gulf Islands has many spacious parking lots for your vehicle and belongings. Roadside parking is not permitted anywhere in the park.To avoid this incident, please park in designated spaces and walk or bike to the nearest beach access. Driving on the beach or any soft, sandy surface can cause your vehicle to get stuck. Beach driving is not permitted anywhere in the park.If you encounter an issue while in the park, contact Gulf Breeze Dispatch at 85. Heed the following warnings and pay attention to all posted signage for the safety of yourself and others. West side of road entering Loops B & C - 6 spacesĭriving in Gulf Islands National Seashore may seem like a day at the beach, but conditions can quickly turn hazardous if you are not careful.West side of Loop B, near Battery Worth trailhead - 16 spaces.North side of Loop E, next to the Bay Trail - 25 spaces.Overflow parking can be found at the following locations: Please ensure your vehicle fits within the dimensions of your site, as we cannot guarantee overflow space for every camper. They are not guaranteed parking spaces for overnight campers. These spaces are for visitors wishing to hike trails and to accomodate guests. Limited street parking Beach Accesses H and Kįort Pickens campground has limited space available for overflow parking.North Lot - 40 spaces, located across the highway from Park Headquarters.South Lot - 100 spaces, adjacent to Park Headquarters.Designated street parking near the fishing pier and Batteries Truman and Payne.Beach Access 15A - 20 spaces, parking located across the street at the old campground store.Beach Access 17A - 20 spaces, no RVs or campers due to limited space.Beach Access 19A - 20 spaces, no RVs or campers due to limited space.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |