Gulf State Park has become a mecca for lovers of the great outdoors vacationing on the Alabama Gulf Coast. A destination within the destination, there’s so much to see and do within the park’s 6,150 acres and 28 miles of trails. Scroll down to learn more about the activities and other things to do at Gulf State Park.
Activities, Recreation & Things to Do
With 2,448 ft. of fishing space, the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier is the largest pier in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s also Alabama’s only public pier in the Gulf. On the pier you will find an indoor retail store, concession area and plenty of shaded seating. You can also purchase a saltwater fishing license as well as bait and tackle. If you’re a pier fishing novice, consider attending Angler Academy. This two-hour signature experience provides you with all of the tools and rules needed for this introduction to saltwater fishing. Order a free Nature & Trails Brochure to begin planning your Alabama Gulf Coast adventure.
Note: In September, the pier sustained significant damage from Hurricane Sally. At this time, the northern portion of the pier (approximately 725 feet) has been repaired and is now open for fishing. The southern portion of the pier remains closed. Angler Academy will resume when final renovations are complete.
If you’re wanting to enjoy the park’s public beach access, then the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion is the spot for you. Located just six miles east of Hwy. 59, this access point provides visitors with three miles of spacious beaches, allowing guests room to spread out safely. The pavilion was recently renovated and now features air-conditioned restrooms. Additional improvements are currently underway to better accommodate events. All-day parking at the pavilion is $10 and $5 for four hours for most vehicles. There is also plenty of room for RV parking. When visiting Alabama's Beaches, be sure to Leave Only Footprints, Share the Beach, and practice responsible tourism.
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Discover the Gulf State Park
Hugh S. Branyon Backcounty Trail
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail at Gulf State Park
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is an award-winning 28+ mile paved trail system that takes visitors throughout the 6,150 acres of Gulf State Park. USA Today named the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail the best recreational trail in the country for 2023. The trails are multi-use, meaning they are suitable for hikers and cyclists and are ADA-accessible. Trailheads surround the park's perimeter, making it easy to find and access while vacationing on our shores. While many enjoy walking and hiking on the trails while taking in the views, we suggest biking or booking a Segway tour if you want to cover more ground Segway tour. Check out the trail map and begin exploring!
The park has made biking easier for its guests by implementing a free bike share program. There are 50 bikes available to rent at stations scattered throughout the park. To ride, download the Bloom Bike Share App and scan the code at the station. The first three hours are free of charge. And, when you’re done, return the bike to your nearest station.
Consider traversing the trails on an e-bike for a full day of sightseeing. Electric bicycles are available to rent at several bicycle outfitters in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. E-bikes are allowed in the park and along the trails if they do not exceed 10 mph.
If you’d like to travel the trails by Segway, contact Coastal Segway Adventures at the main park office near Lake Shelby. They offer two-hour guided tours throughout the park. Their knowledgeable staff will first run through some safety drills and information. Then, they’ll guide you along the trails, sharing information about the park and its wildlife. Most tours also include a stop to say “hi” to the park’s resident alligator, Lefty.
The park recently welcomed a new addition to the Backcountry Trail – Hammock Park. Located at Hidden Lakes Trails, you can bring your hammock and hang out at one of the seven hammock spaces. This is a fantastic spot to lie back and relax after a morning or afternoon of biking, hiking or kayaking at Gulf State Park. Ready to start planning your adventure? Order a free Nature & Trails Brochure to help your planning efforts.
Lake Shelby
Lake Shelby lies at the center of Gulf State Park, making it a beloved landmark on our island. The large freshwater lake is ideal for swimming, fishing, boating and kayaking. Kayak rentals and fishing licenses are available at the park’s main office next to Lake Shelby. The lake features a boat launch for anglers or boaters to head out into the water. There is a $5.00 fee to launch a boat which is paid at the honor box. Surrounding the lake, you will find plenty of picnic tables and pavilions with charcoal grills available first-come, first-served basis or to rent for events and other gatherings. You can also access the lake on the Backcountry Trail via several piers and lookout stations. And, fun fact: Lake Shelby is one of the closest freshwater lakes near saltwater on the Gulf of Mexico.
Educational Experiences
Interpretive Center
Located right next to the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion is the park’s Interpretive Center. The center is pursuing both LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certifications, making it the most environmentally friendly building in the state. Visitors to the beachfront facility learn more about why and how the park plans to meet these certifications while also becoming educated on the park’s sustainability initiatives.
Learning Campus
The Learning Campus is a robust facility built for educational day and overnight programs. Their trained field naturalists ensure that the activities are fun, safe and informative for groups of all ages. Some of their programs include nature walks, arts and crafts, and solar cooking lessons. The Learning Campus is also the current location of the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism and Sustainability which provides the area with workshops and other activities in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society.
Nature Center
Learn everything you need to know about the flora and fauna in Gulf State Park at the Nature Center. This is a living museum that showcases plants and animals that are native to the Gulf Coast region. The center’s knowledgeable staff are available to answer all of your questions. Throughout the year, they host educational events and activities to give visitors hands-on experience with the natural wonders found along Alabama’s beaches.
Dining at Gulf State Park
Woodside Restaurant
Woodside Restaurant is a relaxing eatery with creative Southern-style dishes. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll find plenty of menu options including veggie omelets, biscuits and gravy, smoked BBQ, burgers, crab cakes and more. Guests can choose to enjoy their meal in the indoor dining room, on the screened-in porch or outside on their shaded deck. And Woodside is the ideal spot to kick-off or end a day of biking because it’s one of the locations for the park’s bike rental program. The restaurant also hosts live music weekly as well as other seasonal events.
Foodcraft
Come for the food and stay for the views at Foodcraft, located at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. This casual beachfront restaurant serves coastal classics while utilizing seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients. With everything from Insta-worthy avocado toast to Gulf oysters prepared five different ways, you can’t go wrong when dining at Foodcraft. They also offer an extensive drink menu complete with handmade cocktails, regional craft beer and wine.
Perch
Also at The Lodge is Perch, the hotel’s fine-dining experience. Overlooking the sugar-white sand beaches and pristine Gulf waters, this eatery is one you’ll be craving to return to year after year. Like Foodcraft, Perch prides itself on sourcing products from local fishermen and regional farmers. Open for dinner only, their menu includes items such as house-smoked pork belly, filet mignon, fresh catch, yellowfin tuna and more. After dinner, cozy up with a cocktail and dessert on the patio which features two fire pits and plenty of spacious outdoor seating.
Accommodations at Gulf State Park
Eagle Cottages
For lodging within the park, look no further than the Eagle Cottages. These newly renovated houses lining Lake Shelby provide roomy accommodations and an array of amenities. Each cottage has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, large living and kitchen spaces, two screened porches and an outdoor dining area. They also include amenities such as Adirondack chairs around a fire pit, a grill, porch swing, free park tours with on-site naturalists, bicycles and complimentary beverages.
The Cabins
The Cabins at Gulf State Park (19 total cabins) offer guests the opportunity to disconnect and reconnect with a variety of rustic accommodations. Featuring studio, two, or three-bedroom options, guests can choose to be either among the long leaf pine in the woods or along the shore of beautiful Lake Shelby. Each cabin is complete with bed linens, towels, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, pots, pans, utensils, flatware, and glasses. The lakeside cabins also have fire pits, BBQ grills, porch swing, fishing piers, and fish cleaning stations.
The Gulf State Park Campground
The Gulf State Park Campground offers 496 full hook-up campsites, accessible for both RVs and tents. The campground’s amenities include air-conditioned bathhouses, a small camp store, laundry facilities, a swimming pool, volleyball and tennis courts.
The Lodge
The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel, stands as an elite model of environmentally friendly lodging. Built to do more good for our coastal environment, The Lodge has implemented several sustainable practices such as allowing no plastic to be served on-site, water refill stations and safe outdoor lighting for sea turtles. The 350-room hotel features décor that is reminiscent of the previous Lodge that was destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan. It also houses four restaurants, 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and direct access to the beach and the park.
The Outpost
The Outpost, a hike-in camp, provides campsites with raised, canvas-covered shelters with front porches and cots. These primitive sites also have running water, fire pits, outdoor showers and rustic bathrooms are located nearby.
Gulf State Park Locations
