Cannon aims out over the mouth of Pensacola Bay at Fort Barrancas, Gulf Islands National Seashore
The Fort Barrancas Area at Gulf Islands National Seashore is located within Pensacola Naval Air Station. It is open from sunrise to sunset from May through September. However, the main attraction of the park, Fort Barrancas itself, and the Fort Barrancas Visitor Center are only open one Saturday each month in May, June, July, and August from 9 AM to 4 PM. If you must go through the hassle of entering the military base as a civilian, you are wasting your time visiting the Fort Barrancas Area unless you can get into the fort. For the current schedule, visit the National Park Service’s Fort Barrancas Area web page.
Tourists and those not employed by the Department of Defense must enter Pensacola Naval Air Station through the west gate on Blue Angel Parkway between 9 AM and 3 PM (visitors can stay longer than 3 PM, but they must enter the fort by then). All visitors 18 and older need an ID to get onto the base. A driver’s license will suffice unless it is not compliant with the Real ID Act. Those with a non-compliant license must have a valid passport or other form of identification. Foreign nationals must be accompanied by a citizen of the United States.
Your vehicle is subject to search, so leave your guns and illegal drugs at home. Though I was not asked for proof of automobile insurance and vehicle registration when I visited the fort, I have been asked for these documents when entering other military bases, so be sure to have these with you as well.
Per the Naval Air Station Pensacola website:
- No weapons allowed (to include Concealed Weapon Permit holders)
- No backpacks / coolers allowed outside of the vehicle (diaper bags or medically required bags are acceptable and subject to search)
- No alcoholic beverages allowed
- No drones allowed (countermeasures will be taken)
- Persons with felony convictions are not authorized base access
- No visitors with boats and boat trailers
- All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks
The National Park Service manages two 19th century military forts, Fort Barrancas and Advanced Redoubt. The park also includes two short hiking trails, a small picnic area, and a visitor center. There is no beach access.
With a few exceptions, use of any photograph on the National Park Planner website requires a paid Royalty Free Editorial Use License or Commercial Use License. See the Photo Usage page for details.
Last updated on May 8, 2025
