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Fort Pickens Once Again Open After Ivan
July 19, 2009
Escambia County’s Fort Pickens is once again open and accessible to the general public by car.
The seven-mile road to Fort Pickens reopened just a few weeks ago for the first time since Hurricane Ivan, once again bringing accessibility to the fort that was completed in 1834.
Services in the park are still limited, with diesel generators providing electricity to some areas including the visitor’s center, some restrooms and the snack bars store near the fishing pier. Campgrounds are open, but campers must supply their own power and water.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery of Fort Pickens from Saturday, click here.
About 35,000 vehicles passed through the Fort Pickens gate in June, up from 25,000 the June before Ivan. Park officials estimate that 105,000 people entered the park in June.
Fort Pickens is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for registered campers. The visitor’s center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Lifeguards are on duty at Langdon Beach in the park from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“It is important that visitors understand there is still much work to be accomplished within the Fort Pickens Area and, upon reopening, full visitor services will not be available,” said Jerry Eubanks, superintendent of Gulf Islands National Seashore.
The entrance fee is $8 per vehicle for a seven-day pass. However, there will be a free admission weekend August 15 and 16 at National Parks nationwide.
The speed limit on the road from the park entrance to the ranger station is enforced at 15 mph to protect shorebirds nesting alongside the roadway. Once nesting season is over, the speed limit will be increased to 35 mph.
Visitors should also bring cash — due to no telephone lines, the ability to use debit and credit cards is sometimes not available.
“We regret that services will be limited, however, we understand how anxious our visitors are to return and to experience once again this wonderful resource,” said Eubanks.
Pictured top: Visitors took advantage of a free admission day Saturday at Fort Pickens in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Limited electricity at the fort is provided by the generator in the photo. Pictured below: One of the large cannons that overlooks Pensacola Pass. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
4 Responses to “Fort Pickens Once Again Open After Ivan”
I love looking and taking photos of historic landmarks like that and museums. Just beautiful pictures.
That is SO great that the road is open again! I’ve been to Fort Barrancas several times since Pickens’ closure, but Pickens is still my favorite.
Yea we can’t get on either. We were afraid something was wrong with our computer!!
Anyone else having trouble getting on PNJ today? It won’t let me on without sign on and when I sign on it doesn’t recognize the signon….the rest of gannett newspapers are doing the same thing….freakin idiots