This undeveloped and preserved stretch of sand and sea in the Gulf of Mexico, which reaches from Cat Island in Mississippi to Okaloosa in Florida, is beloved by locals and visitors for its pristine shoreline. 

Recent visitors call the Gulf Islands National Seashore a beautiful, wild stretch of sand, referring to it as a "treasure" among the more developed beaches in the area. 

You can reach the Gulf Islands National Seashore by taking U.S. Route 98. Keep in mind, there is a toll. Once you reach the national seashore, you'll need to pay $15 per vehicle or $7 per person arriving on foot or bicycle, etc. You can also pay for your pass in advance here. Although there are restroom facilities located inside the Gulf Islands National Seashore, there aren't places to buy drinks or food, so you'll need to pack your own supplies. While here, you might consider a jaunt over to Fort Pickens, located at the westernmost side of Santa Rosa Island. This military fort was in use for more than a century, from 1834 to 1947, and now the National Park Service operates it as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. For more information, visit the NPS website.