Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, offers 6,150 acres of breathtaking natural landscape and attractions.

Things to do at Gulf State Park

We live in Gulf Shores year-round and visit Gulf State Park multiple times weekly. The park has so many things to do, excellent restaurants, and a gorgeous lodge and cabins.

One really cool thing about the park is that it has nine ecosystems within its boundaries, including dunes, three freshwater lakes, streams, marshes, forests, and white-sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.

If you are looking for hiking trails in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, easy beach access, wildlife and birdwatching, or to enjoy time in nature, you will definitely want to visit Gulf State Park.

Gulf State Park Pier

After repairs, the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier has fully re-opened at the end of August 2024. Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Ivan damaged the Pier in years past.

The fishing and education pier is a great place to see sunrise and sunset, fish for Gulf seafood, and watch marine life.

There is a $10 parking fee for access to the pier parking lot. The sightseeing pass for all day is $2. Veterans, kids under 12, and park campground/lodge guests enjoy free access to the pier.

Fishing

Fishing in Gulf State Park is one of the most popular activities for both locals and visitors. Fishing includes both saltwater and freshwater fish.

You must purchase a saltwater or freshwater fishing license before you start fishing. They can be purchased online, so you know you have one.

The three park lakes need a freshwater license and the Pier is classified as saltwater fishing.

Freshwater Lakes - Lake Shelby, Middle Lake, and Little Lake. Common Fish species caught include Bass, Bream, Catfish, Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Blue Crab.

Saltwater Fishing is available at the Fishing Pier, and surf fishing on the 3 miles of beaches. Common fish species caught include Redfish, Pompano, Sheepshead, Spanish Mackeral, Speckled Trout, Catfish, Whiting, Croaker, and King Mackeral.

Shark fishing is NOT allowed in the park.

 

Gulf State Park Nature Center

The Nature Center offers amazing interpretive programs and classes, education events, and so much more!

The Nature Center is within the campground and is open Monday through Saturday. It is free to visit, but there is a $2 per vehicle fee to enter the campground.

Address - 22120 Campground Road, Orange Beach, AL, 36561

Gulf State Park Trails

The trails of Gulf State Park are incredibly well-maintained and perfect for exploring deeper into the park.

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is 28+ miles of paved trail system that has been voted as one of the best recreational trails in the country.

The trails within the park are multi-use and can be used by hikers and cyclists. They are ADA-accessible.

Park Trails include:

• Alligator Marsh - 0.4 mi (Unpaved)
• Armadillo Trail - 0.7 mi (Unpaved)
• Beach Mouse Bypass - 1.1 mi (Boardwalk)
• Bear Creek Trail - 0.4 mi (Paved)
• Bobcat Branch - 0.7 mi (Unpaved)
• Campground Connector - 0.1 mi (Unpaved)
• Campground Trail - 2.2 mi (Paved/Boardwalk)
• Canal Trail - 1.0 mi (Paved)
• Catman Trail - 2.7 mi (Paved)
• Cotton Bayou - 1.1 mi (Paved)
• Coyote Crossing - 2.1 mi (Paved)
• Cross Park Trail - 0.8 mi (Paved/Boardwalk)
• Eagle Connector - 0.2 mi (Paved)
• Eagle Loop - 0.3 mi (Unpaved)
• East Cabin Connector - 0.2 mi (Paved)
• Gopher Tortoise Trail - 1.5 mi (Paved)
• Gulf Oak Ridge - 3.0 mi (Paved)
• Lake Crossing - 0.6 mi (Boardwalk)
• Lake Shelby Overlook - 0.3 mi (Boardwalk)
• Lakeview Trail - 2.2 mi (Paved)
• Middle Lake Overlook - 0.1 mi (Boardwalk)
• Rattlesnake Ridge - 1.6 mi (Paved)
• Rosemary Dunes - 2.1 mi (Paved)
• Sawgrass Trail - 0.5 mi (Paved)
• Twin Bridges - 0.8 mi (Paved)
• West Cabin Connector - 0.2 mi (Paved)
• Woodside Connector - 0.1 mi (Paved)

Make sure to use the pedestrian bridges to move across the main beach road.

Gulf State Park Bike Rentals

One of the really cool things you can do in Gulf State Park is enjoy the free bicycle rentals! All you need is your smartphone to download the Bloom Bike Share App and scan the code at one of the bike stations located throughout the park.

Bike Share locations include:

• Beach Pavillion Entrance
• All Major Trailheads, including Eagles Loop and Gulf Oak Ridge
• Woodside Restaurant

You can enjoy up to three hours of free bike rental with one of the 50 complimentary bikes in the park. After three hours, you can keep the bike for a small charge.

This is a great option if you don't want to bring your own bike to the park.

Gulf State Park Beaches

There are over 3.5 miles of white sand beaches within the boundaries of Gulf State Park. These family-friendly beaches are the perfect place to enjoy the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Beach access points include:

• Gulf State Park Pier
• Beach Pavilion
• Romar Beach
• Cotton Bayou Beach
• Alabama Point
• Shell Beach Lot

There is a $10 daily parking fee to access the park beaches. The parking fee can be paid at the parking kiosks. Make sure to display your receipt in your locked vehicle.

Please check the beach safety flags to be aware of any warnings and current water conditions.

Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion

The Gulf State Park Pavillion has a huge parking lot with easy access to the white-sand beach. There are also air-conditioned restrooms, covered areas great for lunch, and easy access to additional attractions within the park.

The beach pavilion is currently undergoing an enhancement project that includes modernizing the restrooms, showers, and air conditioning system. The project will hopefully be finished in late Fall 2024.

A $10 parking fee for personal vehicles can be paid at the pay stations in the parking lot. Orange Beach residents with a valid parking decal can park for free.

 

Gulf State Park Interpretive Center

The park's Interpretive Center is located next to the Beach Pavillion. Here, visitors can learn more about the park's sustainability work and the Alabama Gulf Coast.

One really cool thing to know is that the Interpretive Center is Alabama's most environmentally friendly building! The park is pursuing LEED Platinum and full living building challenge certification.

The facility produces its own electricity and water.

 

Learning Campus at Gulf State Park

The Learning Campus is an education-based camp for school groups, teachers, researchers, scout groups, and other groups.

The facility includes indoor and outdoor classrooms, a laboratory, an auditorium, a meeting space, overnight accommodations, and a dining area.

Lake Shelby

Lake Shelby is a 900-acre freshwater lake in the middle of the park. You can't miss Lake Shelby as you drive the park road.

Visitors and locals can enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking on the lake. There are great picnic tables and pavillions near the lake, which are perfect for enjoying a picnic lunch.

Lake Shelby Playground

Located next to Lake Shelby is a fantastic playground. There are multiple different playground activities and adventures that the entire family can enjoy.

Alabama Coastal Birding Trail

One of our favorite reasons to visit Gulf State Park is the birding opportunities! The diverse habitats of the park make it the perfect place to look for migrating birds and local resident birds.

We use the Merlin App to listen to the birds and help identify them. During Fall and Spring the migratory birds are truly amazing.

Gulf State Park is part of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail which also includes Wade Ward Nature Park in Gulf Shores.

Birding hotspots include Lake Shelby, Gulf State Park Beaches, hiking trails, and the State Park Pier.

Keep an eye out for nesting Bald Eagles and Osprey near Lake Shelby.

Wildlife viewing

One of the highlights of visiting the park is viewing some of the fantastic wildlife that calls it home.

From Lefty the Alligator to the elusive bobcats, you never know what you will see as you explore the park.

 

Lake Shelby Dog Park

There is a great fenced dog pond at the Lake Shelby Picnic Area. There is room for your dog to run in the grass and access Lake Shelby.

Please know that there are alligators in Lake Shelby! Be aware of your surroundings and your dog's surroundings at all times.

We have never heard of any incidents, but we want to ensure you are aware. Please make sure you always have a leash available for your dog.

Check out other great Dog-Friendly Things to do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach 

Weddings

Did you know you can get married in Gulf State Park? There are a variety of locations within the park that are perfect for holding your dream beach wedding.

We have seen multiple gorgeous weddings at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. The wedding photos are absolutely gorgeous, and the facility is perfect for hosting a wedding reception.

The park has event facilities at the Beach Pavilion, Activities Center, Amphitheater, and Education Buildings.

They also offer the opportunity to get married right on the sugar sand beaches at Romar Beach, Cotton Bayou, and Alabama Point East.

To get married in Gulf State Park, you will need to work with the park to get a wedding permit. This is separate from the Alabama marriage license.

Make sure to talk with the park's event planner to get guidance on the rental and wedding process.

 

Picnic Pavilions

One of our favorite ways to enjoy this great Alabama State Park is to have a picnic or enjoy a snack while taking in the gorgeous view.

Two pavilions at the Lake Shelby Picnic Area can be rented for events. This is a great space for hosting a celebration or getting together with friends.

 

Geocaching

Multiple geocaches are hidden within the park. Please remember that alligators and other wildlife live there.

Be careful when you are on the hunt for your next geocache.

The Lodge at Gulf State Park

The Lodge at Gulf State Park is located next to the beach, offering gorgeous views and easy access to beach activities.

There are 350 guest rooms at the Gulf State Park Lodge. Half the rooms have Gulf of Mexico views from a private balcony, while the others look towards Lake Shelby and Gulf State Park.

Guest Rooms include one king bed, two queen beds, one king bed with a bunk bed, or a room with two bunk beds. Rooms with private balconies are available.

Visitors can enjoy Southern hospitality in the comfort of a gorgeous park lodge.

Gulf Shore State Park Cabins

There are a couple of options for cabin rentals within Gulf State Park. You can choose from being on the shores of Lake Shelby or tucked into the woods.

Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park

Eagle Cottages are located right next to Lake Shelby and offer amazing access to the park's trails, wildlife viewing, and a quiet retreat from the busyness of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

We stayed at Eagle Cottages a few years ago and did not want to leave. The screened in porch was the perfect place to watch the sunrise and start the day with a hot cup of coffee.

The cottages are fully furnished in comfortable amenities making it a great place to relax. Each of the cottages has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a large living and kitchen space, screened in porches, and an outdoor dining area.

Enjoy the Adirondack chairs next to the fire pit, the porch swing, and gorgeous views of Lake Shelby.

The Cabins at Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park recently completed 19 cabins. They offer studio, two, and three-bedroom options. The cabins are located in the woods or along the shore of Lake Shelby.

The lakeside cabins are furnished with towels, bed linens, a microwave, a toaster, a coffee maker, pots and pans, utensils, and glasses.

Gulf State Park Campground

The campground has 496 full-hookup campsites on paved pads and 8 primitive sites. This is honestly the nicest state park campground we have seen, and my husband was a park ranger for 20 years.

The campground includes 11 air-conditioned bathhouses, a camp store, laundry facilities, a gorgeous swimming pool with a splash pad, tennis and pickleball courts, volleyball, easy access to the park trails, and weekly activities.

The campground is 1.5 miles from the amazing white sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Tents are welcome at all campsites. The full hookup camping pads can accommodate up to 65-foot RVs in most pull-through sites and 45-foot RVs in most back-in sites.

 

The Outpost Campsites

The Outpost is a hike-in camping area with canvas-covered shelters. These sites have running water, fire pits, outdoor showers, and access to rustic bathrooms nearby.

The four military-style tents are located along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail.

Gulf State Park Restaurants

Multiple restaurants are located within Gulf State Park, ranging from casual to upscale dining.

Visitors can dine on the open-air deck, inside in air conditioning, or enjoy a hot cup of coffee on the back porch of the Gulf State Park Lodge.

FoodCraft

We LOVE FoodCraft! This is our go-to breakfast buffet when we have friends in town. The breakfast buffet is honestly delicious. Every meal is fantastic, and the views are spectacular.

You can't go wrong with enjoying a meal or drinks at FoodCraft.

 

Perch

Located above Foodcraft on the 2nd floor, with epic views of the Gulf of Mexico, Perch offers elevated food and cocktails. Fresh seafood, premium steaks, and handcrafted cocktails await you.

You can expect elevated dishes with gorgeous views.

Roasted Oak

You can get the best of two worlds at Roasted Oak. In the morning, grab an amazing coffee or tea, including one of the best chai teas at the beach. Grab a glass of wine in the evening and enjoy the sunset over the beach.

The Dragonfly Bar & Grill

Casual dining and refreshing beverages by the pool. Dragonfly Bar and Grill is open seasonally.

Woodside Restaurant

Woodside Restaurant in Gulf State Park offers excellent food, fabulous outdoor dining options, and live music events. This is a great, family-friendly restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Many locals will bike to the restaurant and enjoy their outdoor games and live music.

Why you will love Gulf State Park

• Explore the Alabama Gulf Coast Region
• Shark Week fun in the park
• Gem of Alabama State Parks system
• Butterfly Garden

Things to know when planning a visit to Gulf State Park

Address - 20115 State Park Rd., Gulf Shores, AL 36542

Phone - 251-948-7275

Hours - Trails and Picnic Areas - Sunrise to Sunset

Headquarters Office - 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday

Accessibility - The trails are paved and accessible throughout the park.

Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual beach attire for most of the park. Be prepared for the Alabama Gulf Coast weather!

Pets - Dogs are allowed in the Lake Shelby Dog Park

Parking  - Pay parking is available at the beach access points and next to the Gulf State Park Pier.

Parking is also available within the park near the hiking trails.

Restaurants and Attractions nearby

Orange Beach Waterfront Park - This great Orange Beach Park is open year-round with picnic shelters, barbecue grills, two restrooms, a kids' park, and a fishing pier.

Wharf Amphitheater - Check out the great concerts and events at this outdoor concert venue.

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge - Another great bird-watching spot just down the road.

Additional Gulf Coast Articles

Best free things to do in Gulf Shores - Check out the local playground, public beach access points, and much more.

What's new in Gulf Shores -  includes new restaurants, hotels, activities, and things to do!

Things to do for Couples in Gulf Shores - The best date days and things to do for couples.

Best Cheeseburgers in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach - The best cheeseburgers you will want to try on the Gulf Coast.

Family-Friendly Orange Beach Restaurants - Our recommendations are for the most family-friendly restaurants in the area.

Orange Beach Restaurants with a Water View – Great restaurants that offer a water or beach view.

Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!

Check out our January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and December Event Guides to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, and more.

Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!

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