Gulf State Park

About Gulf State Park

Waves Crashing at the Beach at Gulf State Park
Family Enjoys the Backcountry Trails at Gulf State Park
Twin Bridges Trail Illuminated By the Sun Close to Dusk. Photo by Farren Dell
Osprey Soars Through the Sky. Photo by Farren Dell
Conradina Blooming in the Park. Photo by Farren Dell
Middle Lake Overlook Boardwalk
Yellow Bellied Slider in a Pond. Photo by Farren Dell

PARK ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Pier Closure:

Attention, Gulf State Park visitors! The Gulf State Park Pier is currently closed. We have begun the long-awaited renovations that are necessary to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sally in 2020. During this renovation, we'll be rebuilding the 200-foot section that collapsed during Hurricane Sally. The closing includes the pier, parking lot, bathrooms, and the beach accesses (located at the pier) until work is completed. 

 

The pier is anticipated to reopen in the summer of 2024. During the closure, anglers are encouraged to check out other fishing locations along Alabama’s Gulf Coast including Gulf State Park’s Alabama Point, Romar Beach and Cotton Bayou (wheelchair accessible), and the Steve McMillan Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp at Fort Morgan.

 

We appreciate your understanding and patience during this period. We can't wait to reopen the  Gulf State Park Pier for all to enjoy! Stay tuned for further updates and progress reports.

 

For more information, visit Outdoor Alabama

Pier Closed for renovations

Recreation

There is something for everyone inside Gulf State Park. The beach pavilion provides picnic tables as an escape from the beach, the nature center is a great place for the kids to learn, the swimming pool provides refreshment for our guests and the Lake Shelby day use area offers kayaking and canoeing. For a change of pace while visiting check out the fishing and education pier, miles of biking on the Backcountry trail, beautiful flowers in the butterfly garden, and additional education at the  learning campus, interpretive center in the near future.

 

Gulf State Park has a multitude of activities to participate in that includes: Hiking. biking, fishing, exploring, geocaching, paddling just to name of few. We even provide beach vendors for things like parasailing and kayaking. 

 

Use the ADCNR Interactive Map to learn more about the Alabama State Parks.

 

Use this park map to help you make your plans. 

 

Accommodations

 

Reconstruction of The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel, is complete, and new hostel-style accommodations are available nearby as well. The Lakeside Cabins and Eagle Cottages are also available for overnight stays. Longleaf pines and the local palmetto forest surround our four “woods cabins”. Remaining “lakeside cabins” along Lake Shelby offer swimming, fishing, and sunrise walks right outside your front door. And with recent trail enhancements, waking up to jog or bike ride is easier than ever.

 

The park’s 20 cabins provide guests with beautiful views of Lake Shelby or the beautiful longleaf pines and the palmetto forest of coastal Alabama.

 

Guests choose to stay at Eagle Cottages because of all the fishing, swimming, boating, and other activities found along the shores of Lake Shelby. This 900-acre freshwater lake is one of the closest to saltwater along the Gulf of Mexico.

 

From canvas tents to full hook-up RV sites, camping comes naturally to our guests. We offer a 496-site improved campground including 11 modern bathhouses, pull-thru sites, back-in sites, waterfront campsites, and ADA accessible sites. Our paved camping pads fit large RV’s and provide full hookups with water, sewer, electricity, a picnic table, and pedestal grill. The park even has 3 new “glamping” sites and 11 primitive camping sites that include stone campfire rings, grill tops, and picnic tables nestled among the trees and along the creek.

 

AREA ATTRACTIONS

The park’s close proximity to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope and Mobile, provides Gulf State Park with several retail and restaurant options to choose from. The Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, Weeks Bay Reserve, The USS Alabama and Meaher State Park are all within driving distance.

 

Use the ADCNR Interactive Map to learn more about the Alabama State Parks.

Alabama State Parks 2020 Travelers' Choice Award