"Gulf Islands National Seashore - Naval Live Oaks" Top 5 Page for this destination Fort Walton Beach Off The Beaten Path Tip by grandmaR

To get to Naval Live Oaks (an 1,378 acre woodland area in Gulf Breeze, Florida) take U.S. 98 east from Pensacola, Florida. The Naval Live Oaks Area is just east of Gulf Breeze on U.S. 98. But we were coming from the condo meeting in Fort Walton Beach so we went west on US 98. We got to the Gulf Islands National Seashore Visitor's Center at the Naval Oaks section about 11:50. This center is open all year 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Closed on Christmas day.

The Fort Pickens part of the site (out west of Pensacola Beach) is closed due to hurricane damage, and the Naval Oaks center didn't have their normal tape show because the auditorium and the tape equipment was damaged in the hurricanes.

But we did request and see an orientation film about the park called "Trees for Defense" on the historic use of live oak trees for national defense. The live oak wood is the heaviest of all oaks, a cubic foot may weigh 75 pounds and it is resistant to disease and decay. The USS Constitution, built in the 1790's which saw action against the British during the war of 1812, received the nickname "Old Ironsides" due to the strength of its live oak construction.

We also looked at the exhibits which included an exhibit on a cross-section of a wooden vessel (photo 2). Afterwards, we went hiking on one of the shorter trails (third picture). We saw several birds (fourth picture) and there were signs pointing out various types of vegetation.

Also on the site: Eastern National bookstore. Picnic area with a pavilion, individual picnic tables, restrooms, drinking fountains, outdoor showers, and a youth group camping facility

Phone: 850-934-2600