Gulf Islands National Seashore
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 of Mexico for 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. Choose a site that will accommodate all of your equipment.
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 any beaches sound and gulf side, ferries, piers, in forts, batteries, pavilions, or inside facilities.
This campground is open for reservations year-round. It contains 137 family sites with electricity (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. There are no boat ramps in the Fort Pickens area. All Fort Pickens campsites are available to book up to 6 months in advance with 24 hour booking window. 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. Please feel free to bring your own firewood as the Park doesn't have any to sell.
Changes to the Fort Pickens Campground check in procedure.
In an effort to improve our check in process at Fort Pickens Campground, we have implemented a “straight to your site” process. Please read below so you know what to expect!
* Campers can proceed directly to their reserved site after 1 p.m.
* Staff will check you in when they make rounds via your reservation – no need to stop at the campground office. You do not need to wait for staff to check you in. Please keep a copy of your reservation on hand or available on a mobile device for staff to verify.
* Your vehicle tag will be attached to the post at your reserved site. Please place the tag on your vehicle dashboard. If additional vehicle tags are needed, let the camp host know.
* The campground office will be open 11:00 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm - 4pm.
Reminder - Campground regulations are sent to you through your email. It is your responsibility to read and understand those regulations.
Campground hosts are present in the campgrounds to ensure an enjoyable stay and that regulations are followed. If you need park maps, vehicle tags, etc. please talk to your hosts.
ATTENTION: Delivery of RVs is allowed by companies that have a CUA (Commercial Use Authorization) only. If a company arrives at the entrance gate to deliver an RV without a CUA they will be refused entrance. For your own benefit, please be sure the company that you are renting from has a CUA with Gulf Islands National Seashore.
You are responsible for reading the site alerts and booking a site that will accommodate all your equipment. Our campsites and driveways are very small, and most will not accommodate towed units over 30 feet. Many campsites will not accommodate camper 'slide-outs'.
When choosing a site through recreation.gov, your total length is the vehicle plus trailer or RV plus tow vehicle. Only one RV unit is allowed per site. If you choose a site that does not fit your total length, the Park reserves the right to cancel your reservation upon arrival, please read ALL restrictions posted at each site. All wheels, including truck or car, must fit in a line on the pavement at the site. ALL campers are limited to ONE RV (motorhome or trailer), one tent, and ONE vehicle, or TWO vehicles and TWO tents. Please do not bring more as the CG cannot hold additional vehicles.
Campers can stay a maximum of 14 nights from March 1 through Labor Day, and no more than 14 consecutive nights at any time of the year. A minimum two-night absence is required between camping stays during the off season (Labor Day through March 1), and the stay limits apply to ALL occupants. Campers are limited to 42 nights in a calendar year.
Electric Vehicle Charging. While the campgrounds at Gulf Islands have sites equipped with 20, 30 and 50 amp electrical service, our systems do not currently support the charging of electric vehicles.
Campground Rules and Regulations: It is your responsibility to abide by all posted campground rules and regulations. Failure to comply with these items may result in cancelation or a fine.
Generators are allowed ONLY in the D Loop. Run time hours are 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. with a 60-decibel limit.
Gulf Islands National Seashore Fort Pickens area in Florida charges an entrance fee of $25/private vehicle or $20/private motorcycle, good for 1-7 days; An annual pass can be purchased for $45. ENTRANCE FEES are NOT included in the cost of your reservation.
Campers may occupy their campsite no sooner than 1 PM. Check out is at 11 AM and is strictly enforced. Early arrivals may leave their equipment at the Battery Worth picnic area. Campers arriving early will not be allowed to occupy the campsite.
Pets are not allowed on any beaches or inside any building or structure. Pets may not be left unattended unless inside a camper. Do not tie pets up unless you are with them. They cannot make excessive noise.
Gates close at sunset; registered campers arriving after this time, your registration confirmation email has the entrance/combo lock code for the gate; non-registered campers must arrive prior to sunset.
No tree hammocks allowed. Nothing can be strung from trees. Portable air conditioning units used for tents or outside are not allowed. Shower tents or portable potty tents are not allowed. Golf Carts, hot tubs and other non-camping equipment is not allowed
Fort Pickens Road is subject to flooding; please call (850) 934-2656 for information on road conditions prior to arrival
There is no mail service in Fort Pickens. UPS and Fedex will not deliver to the campground. We cannot accept mail for campers.
Golf Carts are not allowed in the Fort Pickens Campground with the exception of disabled persons accessing the restroom facilities only. Use by any other persons is prohibited.
The campground is located on a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico 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.
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 of the Emerald Coast of the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay.
Many visitors young and old come to Fort Pickens to enjoy its scenic location on the beach. The white sands of Santa Rosa Island are the perfect place for a long walk or an afternoon of building sandcastles. The warm ocean waters are great for swimming and snorkeling.
Fishermen will find a pier just a short distance from the picnic pavilions. It can be used by visitors without a Florida fishing license. Many hiking trails through the sand dunes 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.
Cancellation and modification fees are non-refundable.
FOR GPS ONLY; NO MAIL SERVICE AT FORT PICKENS AREA Pensacola Beach FL 32561
1400 FORT PICKENS ROAD Pensacola Beach FL 32561
For campground inquiries, please call: 850-934-2622
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Physical Address (NO MAIL SERVICE): 1400 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
From I10W:
1. At Exit 12, head right on the ramp for I-110 South toward Pensacola Bch / Pensacola; 6.2 mi
2. Take the ramp on the left for FL-30 / E Chase St; 0.6 mi
3.Keep straight to get onto US-98 E Bus / FL-30 / E Chase St; 341 ft
4. Keep straight to get onto US-98 E / FL-30 / E Chase St; 5.5 mi
From I-10 East of Navarre to U.S. 98, using State Road 87:
1. Take I-10, Exit 31 (State Road 87) south.
2. Continue to south on State Road 87 to U.S. 98 in Navarre.
3. Travel west on U.S. 98 to Gulf Breeze or Pensacola Beach.
4. Turn right onto FL Highway 399 to Pensacola Beach. A (Sunpass) toll booth is on entering Pensacola Beach. Proceed to first light; turn right onto Fort Pickens Road. It is about 3 miles to the park entrance station where you pay to enter, then go 4 miles to the campground registration office.