What does government shutdown mean for South MS national park, island visitors?

During the government shutdown, residents still have access to Gulf Islands National Seashore barrier islands off the Mississippi Coast, although some services are unavailable and a campground onshore is closed.

The website for the Davis Bayou Area in Ocean Springs indicates camp sites are unavailable while Cruisin’ The Coast is in town. People can usually make online reservations for the campground, but most October dates are marked with a “C” for closure. Phones are going to voicemail during business hours and the Ocean Springs Weekly Record reports that gates to the Davis Bayou Area, part of the national seashore, are closed.

The barrier islands that the National Park Service oversees off the Mississippi Coast are still accessible to boaters. And the Ship Island Excursions is still operating its popular ferry service, although Wednesday-Sunday trips during the Fall season have been curtailed from twice to once a day, said Louis Skrmetta, whose family operates the service.

Ship Island is the only barrier island with public accommodations. Those are closed, including the restrooms, snack bar and historic Fort Massachusetts. Skrmetta said his company is keeping a ferry on the island while passengers are there so they will have restrooms and can buy snacks.

Ferries run to the island from Gulfport’s harbor at 9 a.m., Wednesday-Sunday, and return to shore at 2:30 p.m. each of those days.

The government shutdown started Oct. 1 because Congress deadlocked on a budget..