Field Trips

Explore history, geology, ecology, and ignite a love of learning with a class trip to Gulf Islands. Self-guided and staff-led field trip programs allow students to collaborate in hands-on discovery of the park.

Whether you seek basic information about a field trip to the park or would like details on specific areas, click through the drop-down items below for guidance on planning your visit to Gulf Islands.

Gulf Islands National Seashore offers Ranger-led field trip programs. Explore this part of the website to access educational opportunities that make learning fun.

For self-guided field trips download the NPS App onto your mobile devices, such as phones or tablets, to begin your national park app adventure.

All field trips are required to make a reservation. Please email the park to request a Ranger-led field trip and to request an educational fee waiver.

If you plan to request an educational fee waiver for fee-free entrance into the park, please submit your application at least 10 business days in advance from the field trip date. The educational fee waiver request application is required in order to access the park's fee areas.

 

Basic Information: Before Arrival

The staff at Gulf Islands National Seashore are excited that you and your students are planning a field trip to the park! The park would like to help ensure your visit meets your expectations as well as ours. Here are a few reminders to ensure your students have a safe, fun, and meaningful visit.

All field trips are required to make a reservation. Please email the park to request the parks as classrooms form and educational fee waiver form. These are required in order to access the park's fee areas.

Teachers and Chaperones:
Teachers or parents may serve as chaperones and are required to participate in all field trip activities. We expect chaperones to help guide the learning process, be ready to help the group maintain their focus, and encourage students to listen respectfully to others and to participate.

One chaperone is required for every 5 students (elementary) or one for every 10 students (middle, high, college). Extra adults must pay the general entrance fee and other associated fees. Children not involved with the program are not allowed.

Please provide chaperones with the information found on the Field Trip Expectations page before the field trip. Make sure chaperones are aware of the schedule and their responsibilities.

Students:
Each program is designed to accommodate up to 60 students. Siblings or other children not enrolled in the class are not allowed to participate. Review Student Behavior Guidelines on the Field Trip Expectations page with your students before you arrive on site.

What to bring:

• A hard copy of your approved educational fee waiver (if necessary).
• Snack or lunches: there are multiple picnic areas, but no food service inside the park.
• Water bottles: there are water bottle refilling stations located throughout the park.
• Trash bags: Use Leave No Trace principles including, "Pack It In Pack It Out." Recycling bins and trash cans are located throughout the park.
• Wear closed-toed shoes, hats, sunglasses, and prepare for rainy weather.
• Bring a first aid kit, insect repellent, and sunscreen.

Reservation Changes:

• Please call to modify or cancel a field trip.
• We ask that you contact us as soon as possible if you need to cancel. Late arrivals, no-shows, and last minute cancellations may lead to schools not being offered field trips in the future.

Safety:

• In case of emergency call 911 or contact the closest park ranger.
• Programs involve walking on uneven surfaces, sandy walkways, and steps.
• Use of tablets, phones (except for taking photos) is not allowed in the forts, other historic buildings, visitor centers, bookstores, and Discovery Center.
• For the safety of students, teachers and chaperones should be with their students at all times.
• Check the weather forcast a few days before your field trip.

Davis Bayou Area

Where to go: Davis Bayou is located at 3500 Park Road, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564. Follow posted speed limits.

Upon Arrival:

• Bus Parking: Bus parking is available at the visitor center. Park in designated spaces only.
• Ranger Program: A park ranger will greet groups outside the visitor center.
• Restrooms and Picnic Areas: Restrooms and water fountains are located inside the visitor center. Picnic Areas and restrooms are located southwest of the visitor center.

Fort Barrancas Area

Where to go: Fort Barrancas is located at 3822 Taylor Road, Pensacola, FL, 32508. After you pass through the West Gate, proceed on Radford Boulevard to Taylor Road. Turn left onto Taylor Road. Follow posted speed limits.

Upon Arrival:

• At the Naval Air Station Pensacola West Gate: Visitors 16 years of and older must present an ID that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 to security to gain access into the area.
• Bus Parking: Bus parking is available at the visitor center. Park in designated spaces only.
• At the Fort Barrancas Visitor Center: Show your approved educational fee waiver to the rangers inside the visitor center for free admission.
• Ranger Program: A park ranger will greet groups outside the visitor center.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are located inside the visitor center breezeway.

Fort Pickens Area

Where to go: Fort Pickens is located near 1400 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola, FL, 32561. Proceed west on Fort Pickens Road for about 7 miles. Follow signs to Fort Pickens & Bookstore. The posted speed limit is 25 mph. Plan your schedule accordingly.

Upon Arrival:

• At the Fort Pickens Entrance Station: Show your fee waiver to the rangers at the gate for free admission.
• Bus Parking: Bus parking is available at the Fort Pickens Plaza. Park in designated spaces only.
• Ranger Program: A park ranger will greet groups at the Fort Pickens Plaza.
• Restrooms and Picnic Areas: Restrooms are located at the entrances to historic Fort Pickens and outside of the Fort Pickens Discovery Center. The closest picnic pavilion with restrooms is located at Battery Worth.

Naval Live Oaks Area

Where to go: Park Headquarters is located at 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Pensacola, FL, 32563. Follow signs to Park Headquarters/Visitor Center. Follow posted speed limits.

Upon Arrival:

• Bus Parking: Bus parking is available at Park Headquarters. Park in designated spaces only.
• Ranger Program: A park ranger will greet groups outside of Park Headquarters.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are located 300 yards east of Park Headquarters.

Pensacola Bay Cruises Plaza

Where to go: Pensacola Bay Cruises terminal is at 750 Commendencia St., Pensacola, FL 32502. Upon Arrival:

• Bus Parking: Bus parking is available at the terminal. Park in designated spaces only.
• Ranger Program: Meet the ranger in the breezeway of the terminal.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are located in the plaza and on each boat.

Perdido Key Area

Where to go: The Perdido Key Entrance Station is located at 13300 Johnson Beach Road, Pensacola, FL, 32507. Proceed east on Johnson Beach Road. Follow signs to parking area. Follow posted speed limits.

Upon Arrival:

• At the Perdido Key Entrance Station: Show your fee waiver to the rangers at the gate for free admission.
• Bus Parking: Bus parking is available at Rosamond Johnson Beach. Park in the rear of the lot.
• Ranger Program: A park ranger will greet groups at Rosamond Johnson Beach.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are located at Rosamond Johnson Beach.

Ship Island

Where to go: Tour boats depart from Gulfport, MS, and Biloxi, MS. Please pay close attention to the tour boat you ride on.

Upon Arrival:

• Ship Island is 11 miles off the coast of Gulfport, MS. It is hot and humid during the spring and summer months. The half-mile island boardwalk is not covered and there is little shade on the island with the exception of two large picnic pavilions.
• Ship Island Excursions: Tour boat services can be reserved online through the Ship Island Excursions website and 228-864-1014.
• Ranger Program: A park ranger will greet groups at Fort Massachusetts.
• Restrooms: Restrooms are located at the entrances of Fort Massachusetts.

 

Students and Chaperones

Field Trip Expectations