NAS Pensacola Now Open to Public Only on Weekends

Air station closes to public Monday through Friday, citing operational requirements and security concerns.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 4:18am

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Beginning March 23, 2026, Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola in Florida will only be open to the public on weekends, closing to non-military personnel Monday through Friday. The change is due to operational requirements and security concerns, according to the base's commanding officer.

Why it matters

NAS Pensacola is home to the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Lighthouse, two major tourist attractions in the area. The new weekend-only public access policy will significantly impact visitation and access to these sites for the general public.

The details

Under the new policy, only Department of Defense identification card holders will be able to access NAS Pensacola during the week. The National Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse will remain open, but public access will be limited to Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All visitors over 18 will need to be vetted through the base's Visitor Control Center and obtain a visitor pass before being allowed to enter through the West Gate.

  • Beginning Monday, March 23, 2026, NAS Pensacola will only be open to the public on weekends.
  • The Visitor Control Center will open for public visitors at 8 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

The players

Capt. Chandra Newman

Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola.

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What they’re saying

“Naval Air Station Pensacola remains vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our service members, civilians, contractors, and their families. We constantly assess a variety of factors to determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”

— Capt. Chandra Newman, Commanding Officer

What’s next

The new weekend-only public access policy at NAS Pensacola will remain in effect until further notice from the base's leadership.

The takeaway

This change in public access to NAS Pensacola highlights the ongoing balance between maintaining military readiness, security, and public access to important historical and cultural sites. It will require visitors to plan ahead and allow extra time to navigate the new security protocols if they wish to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum or Pensacola Lighthouse on weekends.