Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key protect the coast of Escambia County. At Perdido Key State Park, white sand dunes are covered with sea oats. Wildlife is also part of the coastal landscape: green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles and loggerhead turtles nest on the county’s beaches. Protective measures may be in place during nesting season. The landscape thus brings together beaches and dunes with an important habitat for several turtle species.

Coast and Waterfront Trails

The Perdido Key area has several beach access points, a small boat ramp and an accessible nature trail with a boardwalk. This means beach access, a launch for small boats and a path through nature are all available side by side. At Pensacola Beach, scenic walking paths invite you to explore the coast on foot.

For a different perspective on the coastal landscape, the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail begins at Big Lagoon State Park. The park encompasses 704 acres of uplands. Saltwater tidal marshes and pine forests attract migratory birds. This combination of diverse habitats and bird migration also makes Big Lagoon appealing to nature enthusiasts.

Nature Preserves and Hiking Trails

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park spans more than 4,000 acres. Four species of endangered pitcher plants grow there. One specific way to access the area is the Tarkiln Bayou Trail: it is 0.5 miles long and ADA-accessible. The Perdido Bay Trail offers a different experience. It is challenging, 6.5 miles long and leads to beaches along the bay.

There are also different discoveries to be made underwater. Escambia County is home to the Pensacola Beach Gulf Snorkel Reef and the Pensacola Bay Snorkel Reef. The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail includes shipwrecks that were sunk to create artificial reefs. The artificial reef USS Oriskany lies at a depth of 80 to 145 feet. Nature and water experiences thus range from tidal marshes and migratory birds to artificial reefs and shipwrecks.

Forts and History Around Pensacola

Gulf Islands National Seashore is home to four historic forts, some of which date back to 1829. The Fort Barrancas Area includes the Spanish Water Battery, Fort Barrancas and Advanced Redoubt. It also has two short hiking trails. Fort Pickens tells another story of coastal defense: it was designed and built to protect Pensacola Bay and the Pensacola Navy Yard and Depot from foreign attacks.

Historic Pensacola adds the story of the downtown area. The site covers nine acres within the outlines of the original Spanish and British forts in downtown Pensacola. Costumed interpreters bring history to life there. Along with the forts, Historic Pensacola showcases different historic settings and ways of interpreting the past, from a fortified coastal site to the history of the city.

Getting Around During Your Visit

Pensacola is accessible via Pensacola International Airport, the I-10 and I-110 highways, or by water. In the Pensacola area, you can get around by ferry, trolley, ECAT, rideshare, bicycle or on foot. If you are interested in aviation, you can watch the Blue Angels practice above the National Naval Aviation Museum on most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from March through November. The recurring training schedule may change from year to year, so check the dates before your visit.

There are many ways to explore Escambia, from coastal landscapes and wildlife to trails through protected areas, artificial reefs and the history of the forts. Which of these aspects you focus on depends on whether you prefer spending time outdoors, exploring historic sites or combining both.

Discover more destinations: Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Goulding, Perdido Key, West Pensacola, Myrtle Grove, Brent, Hillsborough

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