Gulf Islands National Seashore

The Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore is located off Florida State Road 292 on Johnson Beach Road. From Pensacola travel southwest on State Road 292, crossing over the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge, bearing left onto Johnson Beach Road as State Road 292 continues curving sharply to the right. From Gulf Shores, Alabama, follow Alabama State Road 182 east and it will become Florida State Road 292 at the State line. Follow to Johnson Beach Road, turning sharply to the right, as the State Road continues in a northern direction. Please observe all rules and regulations as they are for your safety, comfort and enjoyment.

Johnson Beach - Day Use Area
Open daily 8 a.m. until sunset. All facilities are accessible to persons in wheelchairs. Restrooms and picnic shelters are open for use year-round. A concession store is operated from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A Ranger Station is located in the complex.

Picnic shelters may not be reserved and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. During spring and summer months, as well as on weekends and holidays, facilities are very popular and crowded. Persons and groups wishing to use the facilities during these time periods should plan to arrive early in the day.

There are no charcoal grills at the picnic shelters. Visitors using their own grills should dispose of charcoal only in designated areas.

Visitors should use the boardwalks provided for beach access to protect the fragile dune and vegetation system of the area. Bicycles are prohibited in the picnic shelters and on the walkways and boardwalks. Skateboards, roller skates and roller blades are prohibited in all areas of Perdido Key. Bicycle storage racks are located near the restrooms.

Nature Trail
A 1/4-mile loop trail through the common plant and animal communities found on a barrier island.

Boat Launch
Small boats and skiffs may be launched from this area. Be alert to low tides, which can make boat launching difficult at times.

Roadside Parking
Permitted for access to Big Lagoon and Gulf of Mexico beaches for fishing, beachcombing and swimming. Use caution when parking and turning around on the roadside. Road shoulders are stabilized for 8 feet only.

The island continues for 5 miles beyond the end of the paved road. Access to this area is by foot or boat only; vehicles are strictly prohibited. Persons walking in this area should be alert to overexertion as soft sand hiking can be difficult and the walk back can seem twice as long as the walk into the area. Visitors should take plenty of water to drink, wear appropriate clothing for protection from the sun, and frequently apply sunscreen. Please remember to stay off the dunes and vegetation while walking in the park.

Group Use
Organized groups of 50 or more planning an event must obtain a permit (not a reservation) to use facilities. No electricity is available, nor are power generators allowed. The permit must be applied for at least one week in advance by writing to: Chief Ranger, 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561. Requests should include the name of the group or organization, time and date of event, planned activities and the person responsible for the group event.

Camping & Beach Fires
The roadless portion of Perdido Key, beginning one-half mile east of the end of the paved road and extending to the east end of the island, is available for primitive camping. Access must be by boat or on foot; vehicles are not permitted. If you plan on leaving a vehicle parked overnight in the parking lot, a permit must be obtained from a Ranger prior to setting up a campsite. Camp only on the beach and avoid dunes and vegetated areas. Fires are permitted while camping in this area but must be built below the high tide line.

Fishing & Shell Collecting
Shell collectors are asked not to remove or disturb shells with live animals in them. Fishermen are required to obey all Florida fishing laws and should return all unwanted fish they catch unharmed to the waters. A Florida saltwater fishing license is required for those 16 years and older who are not residents of Florida.