The Fort Barrancas Visitor Center and Fort Barrancas will open to the public for the 2024 season on Friday, May 24. The visitor center and fort will be open 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. The last entry to Fort Barrancas is at 3:30 p.m. and the fort closes at 4 p.m.
All programs are advertised on the website calendar upper right-hand corner or on the mobile app calendar per National Park guidance these are the primary locations where programs are supposed to be advertised. Programs are also advertised on the park’s Facebook page. Programs are subject to change due to manning or weather. Visitors can also verify the daily schedule in person at the visitor center or at the fort’s entrances. All programs are provided free of charge, entrance station fees may apply.
Reminder the Fort Pickens Visitor Center is Florida is closed. For questions, please visit the entrance to the Historic Fort Pickens. William M. Colmer Visitor Center in Mississippi is staffed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passport Stamps can be collected at visitor centers and the park store located inside Fort Pickens opens daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Current park day use hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. in fee areas.
The Pensacola City Bay Ferry Service will begin March 1 operating round trips on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday transportation to Fort Pickens. The Ship Island Excursions ferry summer service to Ship Island began May 18, operating Wednesday through Sunday.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Civil War Encampment at Fort Pickens
Date: May 25-27
Time: 9 AM to 4 PM
Description: Visit Fort Pickens for a look inside what it would have been like to live inside Fort Pickens during the Civil War Era.
Cannon Demonstrations at Fort Pickens
Date: May 26 and 27
Time: 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM
Description: Watch park rangers demonstrate how to use a Civil War era cannon inside Fort Pickens, and learn how the weapons influenced the lives of soldiers. Demonstrations last 20 minutes.
FLORIDA DISTRICT
Fort Pickens Area
Guardian on the Gulf
Days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday at 11 AM and 2 PM
Locations: Fort Pickens Sally Port
Duration: 30 minutes
Description: Join us for a 30-minute talk to learn about the history of Fort Pickens. All programs will take place at historic Fort Pickens.
Secrets of the Seashore
Days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursdays at 3 PM
Location: Langdon Beach Pavilion
Duration: 30 minutes
Description: The edge of the sea is full of wonder! Join a guide for a 30-minute talk to discover the incredible natural world along the Gulf of Mexico.