The Binocular Site Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi
Gulf Islands National Seashore is comprised of about 135,457
acres along the coasts of Mississippi and Florida, facing the
Gulf of Mexico. The National Park Service authorized the
national seashore on January 8, 1971, and then designated the
wilderness area on November 10, 1978. The part of the park that
resides in Mississippi contains white-sand beaches, wildlife
sanctuaries, and historic sites. There are also barrier islands
accessible only by boat. The wilderness area within Gulf Islands
National Seashore covers 4,080 acres, stretching from the shore
to parts of both Horn and Petit Bois Islands. The seashore in
Mississippi offers picnic areas, nature trails, and campgrounds.
Parts of the park had to be closed due to extensive hurricane
damage in 2004 and 2005, but were reopened in May 2009. There
are two campgrounds, Fort Pickens and Davis Bayou. They both
offer activities such as fishing, boating, picknicking, and
swimming, as well as hiking a