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Alabama may be best known for Roll Tide and an epic tailgate scene, but it’s also a great spot for low-key nature lovers. The Alabama Gulf Coast offers up a 32-mile coastline dotted with natural wonders including captivating trails in Gulf State Park. The scenery at this state park is spectacular. The gators that roam the fringes near Lake Shelby agree with us: this park is a freaking treasure.
The Park and its trails
Centrally located between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Gulf State Park is a place of relatively undisturbed beauty. It’s home to nine unique ecosystems including coastal dunes, freshwater marshes and maritime forests.
There are many trails to choose from and most serve as bike trails too. In fact, the park has a free bike share program. With about 50 bikes available to rent at stations located at several locals in the park. You can get in on the bike share via the app Bloom Bike Share App and scan the code at a station. We were told the first three hours is free.
Here’s the lowdown on the trails we explored during a half-day hike in this state park (in January):
After 3 consecutive hours of driving from New Orleans, Louisiana we were eager to move our bodies and bury our bare toes in powder-soft sands, so we picked up a trail near the Fishing and Education Pier.
While there is no fee to enter the park, we did park in a public lot by the pier and had to pay a nominal day-pass fee (maybe $5 max). If you park here, try to avoid the places reserved for anglers.
After parking, we walked eastward along the beach before heading up to 182 / East Beach Blvd. and taking the Pedestrian Bridge West into the park.
We decided to start hiking the Lakeview Trail which edges Lake Shelby. At the Gulf Shores Welcome Center (address: 3459 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shore, Alabama) we were told this was a popular hike. It was pretty but, we enjoyed the views more when we were away from lake and lost among trees draped with Spanish Moss, looking out across seepage swamps and pitcher plant bogs.
We hiked most of the Lakeview Trail (2.2 mi), the entire Lake Crossing Trail (0.6 mi), the full Canal Trail (1.0 mi) and part of the Beach Mouse Bypass to the Pedestrian Bridge East and back along the shore to the Pier. In total, we hiked 7 miles. We saw tons of wildlife – mostly birds but also a sun-bathing gator too! (Gator spotting took place on the Canal Trail which looks out at South Island in Lake Shelby).
Being January, it was sunny, and the skies were clear, but temps were in the upper 50’s (F). On a hot, summer day we imagine nothing would be more refreshing and rewarding than a quick dip in the Gulf.
We can confidently say that Gulf State Park has some the most accessible trails we’ve come across. Between miles of paved trail and sturdy boardwalks, there are trails here for all fitness and physical levels. Most of the non-coastal trails were flat without much elevation gain. Take a moment to check out some of the trail signage for incredible trail insights like those shown on the signpost below. You’ll never feel more prepared for a hike in your life!
For the more serious hikers, there are several longer routes you can take or combine to make it more of a challenge. If this appeals to you, be sure to check out the Hugh S. Branyon Back Country Trail (address: 4009 Orange Beach Blvd., Orange Beach, Alabama) which is a network of 28 miles of trail, including 11 miles of paved trail, that intersects and combines at spots along Gulf Shores State Park trails. These trails take you through one of the last remaining intact maritime forests along coastal Alabama.
Visiting the Gulf State Park Pier
A visit to this state park just wouldn’t be complete without a walk down the Gulf State Park Pier.
Being the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico, it attracts a lot of sightseers and fishermen each year. There is a fee of $5 per person to access the pier. There is a discount for active military. We were provided with a wristband at the entrance and were told we could come and go as we’d like for the rest of the day. We spent about 20-30 minutes on the pier. It wasn’t particularly congested. There were a few serious fishermen and a few like us, just out on a stroll with vast ocean views. One of our favorite parts of the pier was the educational signage that shared information about the history of the pier, including the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Ivan, and the wildlife in the Gulf. The end of the pier is a good viewing point for seabirds, especially in the winter. It was also fun to walk under the boardwalk.
And yes, the entire time you’re on the Pier you’re likely to have the 1960’s “Under the Boardwalk” tune by the Drifters playing in your mind on and endless loop. We at least did!
State Park Amenities
While the following amenities were not available to us during our winter visit, there are some nice amenities available for public use at this state Park including kayaks, paddleboards and canoes available to rent at the park– or you can bring your own water gear.
You can find a Dog Pond at Lake Shelby too and a kids playground as near the lake too.
There is a campground at the state park, and it has 19 lakefront cabins available for rent.
At the beach you’ll find a public pavilion with bathrooms, showers, picnic tables and a concession stand open seasonally.
The Nature Center and Interpretive Center offer guided nature walks throughout the year, educational programming and interactive ecosystem exhibits.
Other Spots to Get Your Nature & Wildlife Fix in Gulf Shores
1. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Address: 12295 State Hwy. 180 W., Gulf Shores, Alabama
Open sunrise to sunset and year-round, this refuge offers about 6 miles of hiking trails and direct beach access. We wandered here because we wanted to see and experience the biodiversity of the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Full transparency, we were also looking for a shorter hike after exploring Gulf State Park most of the day. That’s how we found the Jeff Friend Trail, a 1-mile loop trail that feels insanely remote especially thanks to the lagoon-front access “alternative” trail you can pick up via the main footpath.
Besides being an easy hike with stunning maritime forest views, this trail and refuge is also part of what is known as the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail – a 200-mile network of trail loops in Baldwin and Mobile counties that feature some of the best public locations for year-round bird watching. The AL Coastal Birding Trail was developed in the late 1990s to promote birding through tourism in the region.
In the winter, some birds to be on the lookout for include Loons, Horned Grebes and Buffleheads. There is a small observation deck midway into the trail at Little Lagoon and it’s a great place to pause and put your birder skills to the test.
2. Pick a Public Beach, Any Beach
If you’re like us and forever fans of endless horizons and golden skies, then chasing a beach sunset should be on your Gulf Shores bucketlist. This zero-cost activity was the perfect way to kick back and relax after a full day of hiking and exploring. We brought our own beach towels and cozied up at a place on the beach that just felt right. There were quite a few people out doing the exact same thing as us – too beautiful a day not to end this way. The sunset was magnificent. A fiery orange that set the sky ablaze and reminded us just how spectacular mother nature is.
Exploring the Gulf Shores is sure to reveal some beauty that will stay with you for a lifetime. We wish you happy trails when and if you decide to adventure to the Alabaman coast. And remember, leave only footprints.
~ Justin + Alyssa
Map of trails and amenities at Gulf State Park
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