Fort Pickens Campground

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.