The islands’ beaches play host to many species of animals like the ghost crab that camouflages itself into the sand and hermit crabs that scurry about carrying their homes on their back. ![]() Inland in the woodlands and marshes, the sound of Killdeer shrieking “kill deer” can be heard from the brush while bald eagles and osprey soar high overhead. On the beaches, Black Skimmers and Brown Pelicans sail only inches above the ocean surf, searching for their next meal while Snowy and Piping Plover scurry along the water’s edge. Gulf Islands National Seashore is a bird watcher’s paradise with over 300 species of birds found here. The islands help protect the mainland from erosion caused by the Gulf’s ferocious hurricanes and tropical storms while at the same time providing you with incredible adventure.Īlong the islands, the park service has established a series of 12 sites for you to explore: In Mississippi: ![]() Add to that a good dose of history and lots of outdoor recreational activities and you have the perfect vacation getaway.Įstablished by Congress in 1971 and managed by the National Park Service (NPS), the Gulf Islands National Seashore is a 160-mile stretch of Gulf Coast barrier islands from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to Cat Island, Mississippi. Signage for the state road remained until 2006 county road signage did not appear until April of 2011 after an inquiry was made by AARoads to the County regarding the road's status.Artist and conservationist Robert Wyland once said, “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” And that’s what draws millions of visitors each year to the Gulf Islands National Seashore - the crashing turquoise ocean, the most beautiful white beaches you will find anywhere, incredible flora and fauna, and fertile marshes. State Road 399 was downgraded from Navarre to Gulf Islands National Seashore after the maintenance handover from the state to Santa Rosa County in 2004. Tolls ($1.00 per passenger vehicle) were charged for the crossing until Jwhen Santa Rosa County took over control of the bridge from the state. This two-lane roadway opened in 1960 and includes two bridges: a high rise span over the Intracoastal Waterway, and a low level bridge over a relief channel. A multi-use trail follows the north side of the roadway as well.Ĭounty Road 399 turns northward at the entrance to Navarre Beach County Park for the causeway and bridge across Santa Rosa Sound. Numerous beach homes, summer rentals, and a crop of condo high rises line the two-lane 35 mph roadway. Earle Bowden Way, emerges from the Gulf Islands National Seashore as the main road along Santa Rosa Island through Navarre Beach. Earle Bowden Way and the Escambia County line to Navarre Beach Causeway. ![]() The southernmost segment of County Road 399 travels Gulf Boulevard east from J. State Road 399 shields were still in place until 2006. This coincided with a county takeover of the span from the state. Photo by Jeff Royston (04/21/02).įurther east at Navarre Beach, State Road 399 became County Road 399 after tolls were removed from the Navarre Beach Bridge on July 1, 2004. Drivers crossing Santa Rosa Sound first entered a small toll plaza, where tolls were charged at a rate of $1.00 per passenger vehicle, before they spanned the Intracoastal Waterway. Historical look at the southbound beginning of SR 399 at the foot of the Navarre Beach Causeway.
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