Gulf Islands national parks fee free this weekend only

Tuesday, April 15, 2014 – 4:00pm

In celebration of National Park Week, Gulf Islands National Seashore will join all national parks in offering free admission on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20. All visitors who arrive on either of these days will be allowed to enter the Fort Pickens, Perdido Key and Santa Rosa Areas of the Seashore free of charge.

Park visitors are reminded that the fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping or reservations. Park entrance stations will have Interagency Annual, Interagency Senior and Gulf Islands National Seashore passes available for purchase.

Superintendent Dan Brown encourages visitors and residents to explore and enjoy the beautiful beaches, museums, programs, historic forts and recreational opportunities within the National Seashore and join him on the End to End Seashore Paddle, a series of eight paddles, April 19, to April 26, weather permitting.

The first paddle will begin Saturday, April 19, at 9 a.m. departing from the canoe launch area at Perdido Key Area. Camping is also available at the Fort Pickens Area of the Seashore. All sites are $26 per night with water and electricity hook-ups, grills/fire rings and picnic tables.  Reservations for camping can be made up to six months in advance, year round by calling (877) 444-6777 or visiting www.recreation.gov.  Walk-ins will be accepted on a space available basis.

Additional Fee Free days in 2014 previously announced by the National Park Service include August 25, September 27 and November 11.

For a full description of the facilities and programs currently available, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/guis or contact the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at (850) 934-2600. For more on national park fee free days, go to www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.