Major attractions include the impressive - and free - National Naval Aviation Museum, with more than 150 aircraft and 4,000 artifacts on display, plus an Imax theater and interactive simulators. If the family prefers the comforts of more modern lodging, Gulfport and Biloxi have many fine offerings, including Marriott’s Courtyard Gulfport, South Beach Biloxi Hotel or the recently renovated and more adult-focused Island View Casino Resort. To really get away from it all, primitive camping is permitted in designated areas. Part of the allure of GINS is that it’s mostly undeveloped, except for two campgrounds with limited water and electrical hookups for RVs and tents. Dolphins are likely to escort you during the fun, 50-minute ride, where dreamy beaches invite you to swim, relax, tour historic Fort Massachusetts and explore for an entire day.īack on the mainland and just outside GINS, Biloxi is known as a playground for all ages, with the world’s longest man-made beach, casino resorts, golf courses, museums, waterfront restaurants and a host of activities for families, including the Big Play Family Fun Center, with bumper cars, kiddie bumper boats and miniature golf. The island is accessible by Ship Island Excursions’ ferry boats in Gulfport. Some of Mississippi’s finest beaches can be found 11 miles out to sea, on gorgeous Ship Island, an important part of GINS. Check out the Lynn Meadows Discovery Center and the Gulf Islands Waterpark. Where to startįrom Dallas, a good spot to begin reconnoitering is just an eight-hour drive east in Gulfport, Miss. The National Seashore is not continuous, so a bit of a primer before venturing there is helpful. Twelve sections include historic forts, campgrounds, trails, picnic areas, informative visitor centers and spectacular beaches, all expertly overseen by the National Park Service, which celebrates its 100th birthday next year. Learn how to receive local weather alerts and find out how to get to the evacuation route from your location.This national treasure begins at Cat Island, Miss., on the western side, and ends to the east in Okaloosa, near Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Be aware that this area is subject to evacuation if storms are expected. Facilities and amenities are generally open during daylight hours.įind free parking at the visitor center and at the pier. Travel to the Gulf Islands National Seashore Davis Bayou with about a 15-minute drive east of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, or in 4 hours from Panama City Beach, Florida. Reserve one of the more than 50 tent and RV sites that are available year round for overnight camping. Pay a fee to use the boat launch to make a trip to the beaches of one of the barrier islands. Expect to catch either freshwater or ocean fish in these boundary waters. Pre-purchase a state fishing license for anyone over the age of 16. If you want to fish, go to the Visitor Center Fishing Pier. Bring picnic supplies and find a spot to sit and eat quietly, giving birds and animals less fear of making a closer approach. As you pass marshy water and walk through coastal forest, look for native creatures, such as alligators, turtles, crabs and seabirds. Pick up a trail map at the visitor center. Follow the 2-mile (3-kilometer) Davis Bayou Trail to understand what a bayou is. Check the weekend schedule for any ranger-led nature programs. Watch a video and view exhibits to learn about the area’s plants and animals. Here you canreview indoor exhibits about the shoreline, including the region’s multiple barrier islands that provide important protection from strong wind, rain and waves swirling up from the Gulf of Mexico. Colmer Visitor Center when you first arrive or after you’ve settled in. Get away from big cities and overpopulated tourist sites at this peaceful location, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore Davis Bayou, part of a coastline stretching for 160 miles (257 kilometers) across Florida and southern Mississippi. Spend a few hours here or reserve a spot in the campground for a longer stay. Enjoy a relaxing visit to this family-friendly coastal refuge.
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