Perdido Key (Johnson Beach)

The National Park Service reopened the Perdido Key Area on 14 October 2026, reported in a release dated 18 October that names the Mississippi District and Fort Barrancas as reopened on the same day. The same release lists Naval Live Oaks, the Fort Pickens Campground with the Battery Worth pavilion, and the Okaloosa Area as still closed after Hurricane Isaias.

That release is why this page exists: it names this area and carries a date. Everything below it is the park's standing rules, and each carries its own date in the sources.

The park's compendium puts it plainly: “Backcountry camping at Perdido Key is only available via camping by vessel.” Campers arriving by boat may camp from half a mile east of the end of the multi-use trail – the Johnson Beach turnaround – east to Pensacola Pass. A tent belongs on relatively flat, level beach, and “Camping on dunes, foredunes, or on vegetation is prohibited.”

Stays run to 14 consecutive days at most in the boat-in backcountry, and to 42 days of camping in a calendar year, with at least 48 hours away before returning. A campsite may not be used by more than 10 people at a time, and campsites are kept 500 feet apart.

Campfires are allowed on Johnson Beach from half a mile east of the turnaround to Pensacola Pass, below the mean high tide line and not in vegetated areas; bring your own firewood, because collecting driftwood for fuel is prohibited. Campers carry an approved device for human waste, and waste and used toilet paper leave the islands rather than being buried. “Refuse must be packed out leaving no trace (pack it in/pack it out).”

The posted lagoons of the Perdido Key area within Big Lagoon, next to Spanish Point, Langley Point and Red Fish Point, are closed to all combustion engines. A vessel may still go in with its motor turned off and tilted out of the water, or taken off altogether; paddling, poling and electric trolling motors are permitted.

At Fort McRee the area that is designated and signed as a no-wake zone applies. Across the seashore no more than 5 boats may raft or anchor together, and there must be at least 100 feet between each raft or anchor.

The facilities are in the Rosamond Johnson area: a small boat launch, restrooms, pavilions and grills. A pavilion can be rented in advance for $200. The Discovery Trail is an accessible boardwalk loop, with no bikes, e-bikes or scooters on it. Past the turnaround the barrier island continues and is “only accessible by foot or by boat”.

The gate is open 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. from 1 March to 31 October and 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. from 1 November to 28 February, and overnight parking is not permitted year-round. An entrance fee is required for this area, by credit card only.