Escambia: Coast, Nature and History

Escambia brings together coastal landscapes, protected natural areas and a rich history of forts. White dunes, expansive protected areas, trails of varying difficulty and historic sites each have their own appeal. When choosing a vacation rental, it can help to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: will it be mainly about the coast and nature, trails and activities, or history?

Coastal Landscapes and Natural Areas

Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key protect the coastline of Escambia County. Perdido Key State Park features dunes with white sand covered in sea oats. The protected areas inland offer a different kind of landscape: Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park spans more than 4,000 acres and is home to four species of endangered pitcher plants. Fort Pickens State Park Aquatic Preserve covers 34,000 acres. At Big Lagoon State Park, 704 acres of uplands are part of the landscape, along with saltwater tidal marshes and pine forests. These habitats attract migratory birds. Nature experiences range from dunes and coastline to marshland and forest.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

The trails also differ considerably. Tarkiln Bayou Trail is 0.5 miles long and ADA-accessible. By contrast, Perdido Bay Trail is a challenging 6.5-mile route that provides access to the beaches along the bay. Their length, rating and destination make the two trails different options for planning your day. The Perdido Key area also has several beach access points and an accessible nature trail with a boardwalk. A small boat ramp adds to the options available on site. Those interested in paddling will find a notable starting point: the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail begins at Big Lagoon State Park.

The beaches of Escambia County provide nesting grounds for green sea turtles, leatherback turtles, Kemp’s ridley turtles and loggerhead turtles; seasonal protections may apply. There are also specific places to start exploring above and below the water. Escambia County is home to the Pensacola Beach Gulf Snorkel Reef and the Pensacola Bay Snorkel Reef. The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail features shipwrecks that were sunk to create artificial reefs. The artificial USS Oriskany reef lies at a depth of 80 to 145 feet. On land, Pensacola Beach offers scenic walking trails. This makes it possible to combine the coast and nature with walks, paddling or exploring maritime themes.

Forts and History

Four historic forts are located in Gulf Islands National Seashore; some date back to 1829. The Fort Barrancas Area includes the Spanish Water Battery, Fort Barrancas and Advanced Redoubt. There are also two short hiking trails in this area. Fort Pickens tells a different story: it was designed and built to protect Pensacola Bay and the Pensacola Navy Yard and Depot from foreign attacks. The fortifications bring different chapters of defensive history to life.

Another way to explore history is at Historic Pensacola in downtown Pensacola. The site covers nine acres within the outlines of the original Spanish and British forts. Interpreters in period clothing bring history to life. Together with the forts along the Gulf, this site offers a distinct historical focus that can be alternated with the trip’s nature and coastal themes.

Getting Here and Getting Around

Pensacola can be reached via Pensacola International Airport, the I-10 and I-110 highways, or by water. For getting around the Pensacola area, options include ferries, trolleys, ECAT, ride services, bicycles or walking. A vacation rental in Escambia can be chosen to suit your preferred focus for the trip: coastal landscapes, protected nature, trails and paddling, or historic sites.

Discover More Destinations

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

For the broader travel overview: Florida.