![]() ![]() These disoriented turtles then often die from dehydration, predators, or vehicle strikes.”īy turning off excess outdoor lights and installing wildlife friendly lighting fixtures, visitors and locals can protect both nesting and hatching sea turtles. “Artificial light draws turtles away from the Gulf of Mexico and inland. “Adult and hatchling sea turtles can easily become disoriented by artificial light sources like flashlights, headlights, and sky glow from neighboring cityscapes,” said Jennifer Manis, GUIS biologist. The main factor that impacts nesting sea turtles at GUIS is artificial lighting. During the 2020 nesting season, a total of 59 nest were discovered. Several species of sea turtles to include loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, and green sea turtles’ nest within the seashore. – Biologists identified the first sea turtle nests of the season at Gulf Islands National Seashore, May 27.Ī total of two loggerhead nests were identified, one in the Fort Pickens Area and one in the Perdido Key Area.Įach year, between May and October, the seashore provides ideal conditions for sea turtle nesting. Large organized groups of 10 or more people must have a Wilderness Permit to camp on the wilderness islands, Horn and Petit Bois islands.Sea turtle nest and tracks are identified on the shore of the Fort Pickens Area in Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife.įollow all National Park Service regulations found on the Laws & Policies page, as well as those within the Superintendent's Compendium. Campers must bring their own firewood to use and take any unused firewood with them when they leave.Ĭollecting driftwood for use as fuel for campfires is prohibited. Portable grills may be used at designated campsites at Perdido Key only.Ĭampfires are allowed on Johnson beach from ½ mile east of the turnaround to the Pensacola Pass, Horn, Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, and NPS-owned portion of Cat Island, below the mean high tide line and not in any vegetated area. Such material may not be placed in trash receptacles or placed on the ground. All burned and unburned material from portable grills must be placed in park service provided ash receptacles or removed from the area. In all developed picnic areas fires may be built in permanent grills (charcoal only) or fire rings at designated sites.Īt Perdido Key, half mile east of the turnaround to the Pensacola Pass Petit Bois, Horn West Petit Bois Island (AKA Sand) and the NPS-owned portion of Cat Island portable gas and charcoal grills are allowed. There is a 42-day maximum timeframe for camping in the backcountry and wilderness areas during the calendar year.Ĭamping, cooking, or other activities are not allowed in areas closed for the protection of shorebirds, osprey, or eagles, including any area within 300 yards of any nest which is being used by adult or juvenile osprey or eagle. At the end of fourteen (14) days, campers must completely remove themselves and their property from the National Seashore for a minimum of 2 days (48 hours) before returning for another overnight visit. No motorized or mechanical mean devices (wheeled coolers, carts, wheelbarrows, or anything with wheels and axles, etc.) are allowed in the wilderness areas of Horn and Petit Bois Islands.Ĭamping is limited to fourteen (14) consecutive days in the boat-in backcountry and wilderness areas. Human waste and used toilet paper are to be removed from the islands and not buried in the National Seashore. Campers must have an approved device to receive human waste that must accompany and be used by them. Refuse must be packed out leaving no trace (pack it in/pack it out). Camping on dunes, foredunes, or on vegetation is prohibited.Ĭampsites may not be used by more than 10 people at one time and must be separated 500 feet apart (approx.1/10th of a mile). Backcountry campers arriving by vessel can camp ½ mile east of the Johnson Beach turn around east to Pensacola Pass.īackcountry campsites must be on relatively flat, level beaches without damage to vegetation or dunes. Walk-in or drop-off camping is not allowed. Download a Map Basic Informationīoat-in backcountry camping is allowed at the Perdido Key Area in Florida and in Mississippi on Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, and Horn Islands, as well as the National Park Service owned portion of Cat Island under the following conditions:īackcountry camping at Perdido Key is only available via camping by vessel. Whether exploring one of the Mississippi islands or trekking to the historic ruins of Fort McRee, backcountry camping will reward visitors in numerous ways. Backcountry camping is a unique and exciting way to experience the national seashore's backcountry and wilderness areas.
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