|
What’s Open? Check here before hitting the seashore
Gulf Islands National Seashore was devastated by Hurricane Ivan, a category 3, which struck Gulf Shores, Alabama around 2 am on September 16, 2004. It is one of the top 10 most visited National Park units in the country, spanning 160 miles from Cat Island, Mississippi south of Gulfport east to the Okaloosa Day Use Area near Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
All areas of the Seashore were impacted by Hurricane Ivan, with the Florida District receiving the brunt of the damage. Recovery is limited to emergency actions until funds are released for storm damage. Work continues at the Seashore to clean tons of debris, stabilize historic structures, rehabilitate visitor centers, and rebuild roadways.
FLORIDA DISTRICT:
Perdido Key (Johnson Beach ) Visitors may walk and bike in and use the beaches. Pending any unforeseen delays, Perdido Key will be open to vehicular traffic up to and including the main parking lot by March 1.
Picnic pavilions are fenced off until they are repaired or demolished. Both the entrance station, and the Star Pavilion were damaged beyond repair. Discarded boardwalk materials and beach debris were retrieved for disposal.
Work continues to reopen the Perdido Key Area of Gulf Islands National Seashore to allow safe beach access. Substantial damage occurred throughout the Seashore. At the Perdido Key Area all the buildings, nature trail, beach crossovers and roadbed were destroyed, compromised, or covered in sand as a result of the 130-mph winds and 10-12 foot storm surge from Hurricane Ivan. Sections of the area will be opened as soon as they are safe for visitor access.
Funding permitting, the beach pavilions, restrooms, nature trail, beach crossovers, parking lot and entrance station will be reconstructed in a similar style. A newly designed structure will replace the Star Pavilion, which was damaged beyond repair. The sewer and septic system, fuel tank, electrical system and telephones must be repaired.
Naval Live Oaks The Naval Live Oaks area has now reopened daily from 8:30 am-4:30 pm. All sections including trails, unless posted, are open to the public.
Fort Pickens Access to the area is by boat only and visitors may access the beaches east of the Campground Registration/Ranger Station. Road construction areas and the developed area west of the station remain closed. The Florida Department of Transportation will rebuild sections of the Fort Pickens Road. The road will be relocated north of the previous site due to the erosion of the south side of the island. Road work is underway. Masons and carpenters from other National Park areas shored up the buildings until historic preservation work can begin. Downed trees in the campground were removed and most camping sites are in good condition. Work crews began retrieving and disposing of sections of damaged boardwalks from the Blackbird and Dune Nature Trails while most of the Florida Scenic Trail was brushed. The pier at the Ranger Station is rebuilt and the repair and redecking of the fishing pier is nearly done.
Santa Rosa (Opal Beach) Access to the area is by boat only. The development at Opal Beach remains closed to visitation because of the extensive damage to picnic clusters. Road construction areas remain closed. Damaged structures were secured with fencing materials. The Florida Department of Transportation is repairing Route 399 and the multi-use path, which will also be relocated farther to the north.
| 
