Florida › Escambia County › Gulf Islands National Seashore

Fort Pickens Campground

Open

Open year-round. Reservations available through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance. Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights. A separate Gulf Islands National Seashore entrance fee is required.

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Tropical Storm Warning issued July 21 at 3:58PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL

3:58 PM — July 22nd, 12:00 AM

* LOCATIONS AFFECTED - Pensacola - Pensacola Beach - Perdido Bay * WIND - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Below tropical storm force wind - Peak Wind Forecast: 20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force. - PREPARE: Efforts to protect property should now be underway. Prepare for limited wind damage. - ACT: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. * STORM SURGE - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: Localized storm surge possible - Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas - Window of concern: Wednesday morning until Thursday morning - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground - The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Plan for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground. - PREPARE: Complete preparations for storm surge flooding, especially in low-lying vulnerable areas, before conditions become unsafe. - ACT: Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. * FLOODING RAIN - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional around 1 inch - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Potential for localized flooding rain - The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for localized flooding from heavy rain. - PREPARE: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding. - ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Limited - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. * TORNADO - LATEST LOCAL FORECAST: - Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes - THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY THAT INCLUDES TYPICAL FORECAST UNCERTAINTY IN TRACK, SIZE AND INTENSITY: Tornadoes not expected - The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment. - PLAN: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur. - PREPARE: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation. - ACT: Listen for changes in the forecast. - POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Little to None - Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes. * FOR MORE INFORMATION: - For evacuation and shelter information, please refer to: - Escambia County EMA: 850-471-6400 or myescambia.com/beready - For storm surge threat graphics and other storm impacts: - NWS Mobile: www.weather.gov/mob

High Surf Warning issued July 21 at 4:12PM CDT until July 23 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL

4:12 PM — July 22nd, 12:00 AM

* WHAT...For the High Surf Warning, dangerously large breaking waves of 8 to 11 feet in the surf zone. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, minor coastal flooding. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. * WHERE...Escambia Coastal County. * WHEN...For the High Surf Warning, until 6 AM CDT Thursday. For the Coastal Flood Advisory, until 10 AM CDT Thursday. For the High Rip Current Risk, through late Thursday night. * IMPACTS...Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected. Breaking waves can sweep people off jetties and docks, and into dangerous seas. Life- threatening swimming conditions and significant beach erosion can be expected. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

Rip Current Statement issued July 21 at 4:12PM CDT until July 24 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL

4:12 PM — July 22nd, 12:00 AM

Tropical Cyclone Local Statement issued July 21 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL

4:06 PM — July 22nd, 12:15 AM

HLSMOB This product covers portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi. **TROPICAL STORM BERTHA WILL BRING COASTAL AND OFFSHORE IMPACTS THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - None * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Baldwin Central, Baldwin Coastal, Escambia Coastal, Mobile Central, Mobile Coastal, Okaloosa Coastal, and Santa Rosa Coastal * STORM INFORMATION: - About 100 miles south-southeast of Mobile AL or about 80 miles south of Pensacola FL - 29.4N 87.2W - Storm Intensity 60 mph - Movement Northwest or 305 degrees at 6 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Bertha continues to slowly move westward this afternoon. A general west-northwest to west motion is expected through tonight with the center of Bertha moving across our offshore gulf waters this evening into Wednesday morning. The storm will move further west and out of the local area during the day on Wednesday. Primary impacts from Bertha remain focused near the coastline and over the Gulf waters. Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly rip currents is in effect through much of the week. A High Surf Warning remains in effect due to surf building to 8 to 11 feet along the Gulf beaches, reaching peak heights late tonight into early Wednesday morning. These large breaking waves will result in minor beach erosion, along with flooding of vulnerable areas of the west end of Dauphin Island and the Ft. Pickens area of Gulf Islands National Seashore. A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect for the Alabama coast and coastal Escambia County, Florida for inundation of 1 to 3 feet during high tide Wednesday morning and possibly again Thursday morning. Due to the sheared nature of the storm, most of the heavy rainfall will remain well south across the open Gulf. However, locally heavy rainfall cannot be ruled out in any rainbands that approach the coast. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * OTHER COASTAL HAZARDS: Dangerous surf and beach conditions are expected. A high risk of deadly rip currents continues through much of the week. Surf builds to 8-11 feet tonight through Wednesday. * SURGE: Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across coastal Alabama and coastal Florida. Potential impacts in this area include: - Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. - Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. - Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. - Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated. * WIND: Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the immediate coastal areas of Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Potential impacts in this area include: - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about. - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over. - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways. - Scattered power and communications outages. Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated. * FLOODING RAIN: Protect against locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across coastal Alabama and the western Florida Panhandle. Potential impacts include: - Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations. - Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots. - Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures. Elsewhere across portions of southwest Alabama...northwest Florida...south central Alabama...and inland southeast Mississippi., little to no impact is anticipated. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials. * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to complete preparations in accordance with your emergency plan. If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities. Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: - For the latest detailed evacuation and shelter information...please refer to your local emergency management agency at the phone number or website listed below. - Coastal Alabama: - Baldwin County: 251-972-6807 or www.baldwincountyal.gov/departments/EMA - Mobile County: 251-460-8000 or mobilecountyema.gov - Northwest Florida: - Escambia County: 850-471-6400 or myescambia.com/beready - Santa Rosa County: 850-983-5360 www.santarosa.fl.gov/emergency - Okaloosa County: 850-651-7150 or myokaloosa.com/emergency-management - For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov - For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Mobile AL around 10 PM CDT, or sooner if conditions warrant.

Coastal Flood Advisory issued July 21 at 4:12PM CDT until July 23 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL

4:12 PM — July 22nd, 12:00 AM

About

Fort Pickens Campground ranks among the top ten busiest campgrounds in the National Park System, drawing visitors year-round to Santa Rosa Island's emerald coast waters and white sand beaches. Located within Gulf Islands National Seashore, the campground provides 137 family sites with 20/30/50 amp electric and water hookups, 40 non-electric tent sites, and one group site. Every site includes a paved parking pad, fire pit, and picnic table. Heated showers and flush toilets serve all loops. The barrier island setting places campers between the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay. Groves of live oak trees provide shade and shelter migrating bird populations. Swimming, snorkeling, and fishing are accessible directly from the beach or from a nearby pier that does not require a Florida fishing license. Historic Fort Pickens, a pentagonal masonry fort constructed in 1834 and one of four Southern forts never captured by Confederates during the Civil War, lies one mile from the campground. All reservations are handled through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance. A separate entrance fee for Gulf Islands National Seashore is required. The campground enforces a strict 14-consecutive-night limit. Many sites have overhead clearance and length restrictions from trees and vegetation, so campers should verify equipment dimensions before booking.

Directions

From I-10 West: Take Exit 12 for I-110 South toward Pensacola Beach. Exit 1B onto Gregory Street East, merge onto FL-30 East Chase Street. Turn left onto Bayfront Parkway/US-98 East. Merge onto FL-399 toward beaches and cross the toll bridge. Turn right onto Fort Pickens Road and continue approximately 7 miles past the park entrance station to the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Fort Pickens Group Campground 0.2mi Naval Live Oaks Youth Group Camping 8.5mi Gulf State Park Campground 22mi Clear Creek Ohv Riding Area Blackwater River State Forest 33mi Blackwater River State Park Campground 36mi Coldwater Equestrian Campground Blackwater River State Forest 40mi Krul Campground Blackwater River State Forest 45mi Bear Lake Campground Blackwater River State Forest 46mi Bear Lake East Primitive Group Campsite Blackwater River State Forest 46mi

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Location

30.3227778, -87.2741667

1476 Ft Pickens Rd, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Amenities

Water	Yes
Fires Allowed	Yes
Toilets	Yes
Dump Station	Yes
Wifi	—
Pets Allowed	Yes
Showers	Yes
Electric Hookups	Yes
Water Hookups	Yes
Sewer Hookups	No
Camp Store	—
Price	$26 - $40