fort pickens

RetiredTravelerTN

We spend a great sunny day at Fort Pickens and liked it so much that we've put it on our return list. As we drove into the park, we stopped at the park entrance station where park staff check for national park passes or collect a reasonable entrance fee. The video at the museum is interesting; we probably should have seen it before we toured the fort. Be sure to pick up a map at the ranger visitor center as you enter the fort; each stop is well-described on the brochure which helped us to appreciate what we were seeing.Beyond the fort, we made all the stops on the map. Those who appreciate history, mechanics, or engineering will appreciate Fort Pickens. We also stopped at two beaches and enjoyed long strolls on the beach. Those who don't stay at a beachfront hotel at Pensacola Beach should definitely make Fort Pickens a part of their itinerary. Even those who aren't into history will love the beaches.

873StevenC

As a resident on Pensacola Beach, have taken many of my friends to this historic Military Fort. Highly recommend this to all. Visit will take 2 hours to maximum of 3 hours. Tremendous historical site with a very nice up close and personal tour available. Self-guided, or you can take guided-tour as well. Recommend the self-guided tour with a map they will provide. But if you prefer to take a guided-tour, the guide will no doubt give you a great deal of historical information not included with the map and self-guided tour. To each their own. Highly recommend.

Vllove

Nice historical place...but...you also get secluded beaches to have a picnic...one price gets you in for a week..

danielaC125ZQ

Just some old walls and a few rooms are all that's left. Charge is 7 or 8 dollars per vehicle. Guess it's something to see if you have an hour or 2 to kill. Maybe nice if you are a history buff. Just not a lot there.

tridebtri

We got the annual pass for the national parks on the Perdido side, but were encouraged by the guard that we should head to the Ft Pickens side to explore. Great advice! Ft Pickens offers the forts and battery to walk though and explore, while the fishing pier has provided us with days and days of entertainment.

rajarshig2015

The good thing about pickens is that it is much less crowded than the main Pensacola beach.... Has a fee though... The fort is a small ol' one... bit of history... Used to camp here a lot... Fun to hang out..

KatieC754

Great way to spend a few hours. Learned some history- didn't know geronimo was kept here. Learned some architecture, and about cannons. The drive is gorgeous!

Tinkwannabe

The fort itself was interesting enough but the drive there is beyond beautiful. I truly have seen very few spots (save the Grand Canyon and other major parks) that compare. It's $8 per car but the pass is good for seven days. The ride out alone is worth it...breathtaking white sand dunes and sand drifts. For a Missourian it was nice to see instead if snow drifts. The water is comparable to Cancun and other Mexican gulf town.

bobbiep325

I was amazed at how well this 19th century fort was preserved and available for seeing and exploring most of it. I am a history buff and national park fan and was not disappointed in Fort Pickens.

Retiree55578

What a fun afternoon. Learned a bit of history--pre-civil war, civil war, late 1800s up to WW I. The engineering of complex is interesting. And it is fun to roam through the remaining buildings and climb the walls. Geronimo was held captive there before he was taken to Oklahoma. Once on top of the wall the beauty is evident and driving to the beach areas provides further evidence of the beautiful Gulf coast. On top of the wall, one can see how nature has moved the sand because the wall once stood on the shore-- now there is quite a distance to the shore. Drove through the campgrounds--nice but tight--very tight for big rigs. Dump station only-- no sewer hookup at camping site but there is water and electricity. Great place to visit a real U.S. Fort.

722carolp

Beautiful natural park. Camping areas, picnic areas, old fort to tour with guides view site for schedule. See the "Pass" where the charter boats go and come out to the gulf and back in to the sound once the day is over. Photographers, you will love it, lots of nature to see if you bike or walk and look. Beautiful Egrets, seagulls, dolphins, fishing piers (fill up quick) little camp store for essentials. Great spot to visit. We live nearby and purchase a yearly pass, otherwise you pay at gate.

Doffie1974

A history lesson: we didn't know that Geronimo was kept here for a while. Good explanations, nice scenery. A perfect place for a stroll on a beautiful day!

napsack

This Fort is so interesting to go through and if you are lucky enough to go from March to November you can watch the Blue Angels pratice

961JOHNK

This was a great look back in history. The fort showed many unique area were troops and others lived. It is a very nice stop. My wife and I enjoyed it very much.

mnb54

I've been to Ft Pickens a couple of times and still feel like I haven't quite seen it all. The property is pretty big, but walkable. They have a nice covered seating area by the water to relax or have a picnic lunch. It's a self-guided tour of the fort, so no one along the way to ask questions. Some of the spots aren't labeled, but most are kept up very nicely. They are continuously doing restorations. There's also a campground (on my to do list) and places for fishing. Also a nice beach area if you just want to get some sun and escape the crowds.