Fort Barrancas
Fort Barrancas
4.5
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
About
Located in the Pensacola Naval Station, this is the site of the first U.S. Naval yard that was built in 1821.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingFull view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
25 within 3 miles
Attractions
76 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
509 reviews
Excellent
317
Very good
129
Average
53
Poor
7
Terrible
3
legalese
Eagan, MN198 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
Such a joke. I made absolutely sure that the website made clear that this visitor center was open before driving two hours one way with my young children to visit this place. Alas, when we arrived, we were told that while the Fort is open, the naval base that you need to enter in order to get to the Fort does not allow non-military folks to enter. Of course, neither the website nor the Facebook page states this. Therefore, unless you are active DOD personnel, you CANNOT access this Fort - even though the NPS insists that it is “open.” So incredibly rude and inconsiderate not to note this anywhere.
Written November 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne
Ocala, FL19 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
After reading other reviews stating it is open and knowing with Military ID’s we can get on base, we drove over from Eglin AFB. When we got to the NAS we were informed that all roads to the fort were closed for construction. Every possible detour left us on the wrong side of “road closed” barricades. We caught a few glimpses of the fort as we searched but not worth the 4 hours of driving. Ugh. I strongly suggest calling before venturing to Pensacola NAS.
Written May 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert W
Winchester, TN91 contributions
Nov 2020
We arrived late, the visitors center was closed, no map with relative times for hikes. I am looking forward to coming back and hiking the trails. There are fees. Recommend someone update the information for this attraction as it is not very complete. Located east of the Naval Museum/Lighthouse and on NAS Pensacola.
Written November 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donna m
Vero Beach, FL69 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
It was FREE!! We went there because we just like visiting Forts. It was a smaller fort then what we are use to but a fort all the same :) It didn't take us long to get through it and we were one of a few small groups coming and going. It was close to closing time so we were in and out in 45mins. Our 3 year old son was creeped out and wanted to leave but we comforted him and pushed on. He has been to a couple of forts and this is the first one that he was spooked in. We didn't give it much thought until we looked and the photos we took!!
There appears to be a shadow figure down the hall behind my mother down that hall!!! Very odd since we were in that part of the area ALONE and there is NO way that kind of a shadow could have been cast were this picture was taken. The walls only have small slits for opens, and this doesn't have the shape of the shadow...think about it...shadows are on the ground! Not standing up. Judge for yourself.
There appears to be a shadow figure down the hall behind my mother down that hall!!! Very odd since we were in that part of the area ALONE and there is NO way that kind of a shadow could have been cast were this picture was taken. The walls only have small slits for opens, and this doesn't have the shape of the shadow...think about it...shadows are on the ground! Not standing up. Judge for yourself.
Written July 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff M
Pensacola, FL1 contribution
May 2015 • Solo
Pete,
It sounds like you went to the Advanced Redoubt the smaller fort on Taylor Road. That is only open on Saturdays at 1100 am. It cannot be left open, because sadly, people will vandalize it.
The main fort at Fort Barrancas doesn't close until 4:30 and is staffed with a Ranger and Volunteers.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
It sounds like you went to the Advanced Redoubt the smaller fort on Taylor Road. That is only open on Saturdays at 1100 am. It cannot be left open, because sadly, people will vandalize it.
The main fort at Fort Barrancas doesn't close until 4:30 and is staffed with a Ranger and Volunteers.
Hope this helps.
Jeff
Written May 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauris47
Fort Worth, TX2 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
This was a Texas fort that I had never heard about, but what an experience to walk around and to experience history. To think about the men who served and fought at that very site. Fort Barrancas is very well maintained and the volunteers are very knowledgeable about this fort. Don't miss it!
Written May 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLKayaker2003
Bushnell, FL15 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Was on my to-do list for this trip, but NPS has really fallen off its game. Closed when I got there in the middle of the afternoon. You can still see a little from the outside. Filthy, green-mildew-covered park signs and overgrown grass are evidence of general neglect and suggest the $20 is not going to maintain the park as literature suggests. How disappointing.
Written August 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
viajeradivertida
Avon Lake, OH201 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
Watch the movie so you know what you are looking at as you walk. It is not self explanatory, but the movie makes it real. It only takes about 10 minutes to watch it. Bring water on a hot day and wear comfortable walking shoes. It is not a far walk but it is in the sun and the steps can be slippery. I enjoyed learning about our American history. It took us about an hour including the movie and my husband has a bad back and I take a lot of pictures. If you bought the Johnson Beach National Seashore Pass this is included and you don't have to pay. Otherwise I think it was $7 for everyone.
Written June 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ajator
Stephenville, TX107 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
We enjoyed it but would have gotten more out of it if the kids were a little older. Wish we could have gone on a guided tour but didn't think the kids would be quiet and pay attention. Still glad we went. It was amazing to see everything. Kinda creepy!
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jds754
Monroe, GA423 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
I love to visit old forts and see how cannoneers protected themselves. This one is solid built and protective. I was amazed by the brick work and far under earth it was. Tunnels need to investigated with the aid of a flashlight to really see the details!
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A Vincent
1 contribution
Am I understanding correcty that admission to Fort Pickens covers admission to Fort Barrancas as well? AND! Where's the best LOCAL spot for dinner?
Thanks!
Flamingojan
Waynesville, NC85 contributions
Is it dog friendly?
MarineAir10
Vancouver, WA801 contributions
I don’t believe so, other than support dogs.
How much does it cost to get in?
cheryl h
Durham, NC57,564 contributions
I don't remember there being a fee (but that was almost 5 months ago and we visited many many forts on the trip). To find out for sure you could google Fort Barrancas and their sites may have the info you want. They will have a contact number of email address and you can ask them directly. If you only have time for one fort, I would pick Fort Pickens (the fees for this fort are listed online). There is more to see here and it's much more interesting. Fort Barrancas is mostly just walking through arched hallways. Check out my review for Fort Pickens to see if it looks great to you.
John T
Charlottesville, VA20 contributions
What days are the Fort closed ?
Rurouni Foodie
Pensacola, FL503 contributions
There is a restaurant in the fort? I didn't see that. According to their website, National Park Service or NPS.gov.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Hours
All facilities and structures are open Thursday through Monday
Visitor Center & Bookstore: 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Historic Fort Barrancas: 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Historic Advanced Redoubt: By Ranger Guided Tours Only
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the information above, I would assume that they are closed on Friday.
Diana R
Madison Heights, VA26 contributions
Is this accessible for wheelchairs?
briansS9750NV
Murfreesboro10 contributions
Parts of it are, but to see the whole fort you have to go up and down many stairs.
brokenhippie
Milton, FL
Are pets allowed?
Rurouni Foodie
Pensacola, FL503 contributions
From their website, National Park Service or NPS.gov:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pets are not allowed in the following areas (service animals exempt):
- On all park beaches and water less than five feet in Florida, this regulation is consistent with Florida State Law.
- On all beaches of the Mississippi barrier islands and in water less than five feet surrounding the islands.
- In the forts or visitor use facilities such as pavilions, fishing and ferry piers, and visitor centers.
Please do not leave pets in cars.
Inside car temperatures can reach 120 degrees
in a matter of minutes, even with partially opened windows!
In areas where pets are permitted:
- Pets must remain on a leash, no longer than six feet, at all times.
- For health reasons, owners must clean up after pets.
- Pets are welcome on trails, multi-use paths, or on the park roads.
- Pets may be tied to fixed objects in the Davis Bayou or Fort Pickens Campground if the leash is less than six feet long, the pet does not annoy other campers by making unreasonable noise, and the pet is not placed in harm's way by such act.
Service Animals
Qualified service animals assisting people with disabilities are allowed and must be leashed. A service animal is defined as a dog that performs some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform such as carrying a pack for persons with mobility impairments, assisting persons with balance, or alerting medically-dependent persons of specific conditions such as oncoming seizures. Companion dogs that are used only to provide comfort or emotional support (“therapy animals”), or other pets are not allowed in the areas identified above.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saaysaay
Washington DC, DC33 contributions
If forced to choose...which is better, Fort Barrancas or Fort Pickens?
erica32paulk
Enterprise, AL265 contributions
I went to both in the same day they are an hour apart and I would definitely choose Fort Pickens. The drive there is beautiful and worth the trip but a little long. Fort Barrancas is on a military base and a little hard to find. Fort Pickens is bigger with a lot more to see. As we walked around workers sweeping stopped on their own accord to give us some history. But if you go to Fort Barrancas the lighthouse and the naval museum are right down the street and we'll worth the stop. Barrancas has one of a kind architecture but once you have seen a little piece of it you've seen all of it because it's mirrored down every corner. Fort Pickens history was what amazed me so much and the fort itself is very interesting. Just check before you go because we missed the guided tour and they are the best.
Chip H
Knoxville, TN58 contributions
Is there any admission price to the fort?
David C
Pensacola, Florida, United States24 contributions
The Fort is free. There is a charge to enter the park. Various national park passes can be used at the gate, if you have them. Check the Gulf Islands Nation Seashore website.
Does it cost money to see?
tgdg0806
Brenham126 contributions
You just some form of ID to get on the Base. The fort is free to walk around an spend as much time as you want. It's beautiful an lots of Kodak moments. Enjoy the rest of what the Base has to offer. If your lucky you can catch the Blue Angels as this is there home base, also the museum is free to tour at your leisure.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingFort Barrancas - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Barrancas
- Fort Barrancas is open:
- Thu - Mon 9:00 AM - 4:15 PM
- Hotels near Fort Barrancas:
- (0.24 mi) Navy Gateway Inn Pensacola
- (0.37 mi) Pensacola NAS
- (1.40 mi) Navy Lodge Pensacola
- (6.35 mi) Hampton Inn & Suites Pensacola/Gulf Breeze
- (4.09 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pensacola West-Navy Base, an IHG Hotel
- Restaurants near Fort Barrancas:
- (4.63 mi) Joe Patti's Seafood
- (5.35 mi) Carmen's Lunch Bar & Tapas
- (5.50 mi) The Global Grill
- (6.44 mi) Another Broken Egg Cafe
- (6.34 mi) McGuire's Irish Pub & Brewery