Location: Gulf Shores
Top Things to do in Gulf Shores
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10 Nature & Parks in Gulf Shores That You Shouldn't Miss
This resort community is known for its bright white beaches and soothing warm water. Daytime activities include scenic cruises, dolphin-watching and hiking. A great place for families, Gulf Shores has The Track, a family recreation center with bumper boats, and also the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.
Restaurants in Gulf Shores
1. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 270 reviews
A 6,000-acre nature preserve with a number of endangered species.
Reviewed By 607jayb - Fairhope, United States
Bon Secour NWR is one of the best kept secrets on the entire Alabama Gulf Coast. The Refuge is located a few miles down the Fort Morgan Peninsula Highway 180 (aka Fort Morgan Road) from Gulf Shores. The Refuge consists of a really nice Nature Center and two great hiking trails. The Jeff Friend Trail is the shorter trail and runs partially along Little Lagoon and also features a kayak/canoe launch. The Pine Beach Trail is the longer trail and is very diverse including deep woods, Little Lagoon and even the Gulf beach area. BSNWR is fantastic for hiking, birding or just enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you are a local or a visitor, invest some time here if you are looking for some diverse outdoor activity away from the crowded beaches and attractions. This would be a great option for spending at least part of a day doing something a bit different from typical "beach vacation" fare. NOTE: As an added bonus, admission is entirely FREE! Also be aware the only public restrooms are at the Nature Center and part of the way down the Pine Beach Trail. There are no restrooms at the Jeff Friend Trail.
2. Alabama Coastal Birding Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By 607jayb - Fairhope, United States
As a fairly experienced birder, I have so enjoyed the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail (ACBT). Note that the ACBT consists of over 50 sites in Baldwin County (Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are in Baldwin County) and Mobile County. Several great ACBT sites are in the Orange Beach/Gulf Shores/Gulf State Park areas. I have birded them all and have found it to be some of the best, most diverse birding anywhere in the world. Even if you are not a "birder", a tour of the ACBT will take you to some really beautiful, quiet places where you can relax and enjoy God's gifts of nature to us.
3. Gulf State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,366 reviews
Gulf State Park's two miles of beaches greet you with plenty of white sun-kissed sand, surging surf, seagulls and sea shells, but there is more than sand and surf to sink your toes into. Inside Gulf State Park there is a brand new Gulf Front lodge and Conference Center, beach pavilion, National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World Cottages, tennis courts, camp sites, 28 miles of paved/enhance trails and a fishing pier that is 20-feet wide and extends 1,512 feet into the Gulf. This and much more make Gulf State Park the perfect in-state vacation or out-of-state adventure.
Reviewed By cyberbubba - Gulf Shores, United States
Gulf State Park is just more beautiful spot to add to the long list of amazing places to see in Gulf Shores, AL. The pier is all new and twice as big since the last hurricane with a great bar/restaurant and a great place to enjoy the sights and sounds of the beautiful Gulf. There's an awesome campground with a ton of amenities, trails and more trails, bike trails, State park hotel resort by Hilton with amazing restaurant, beach front parking with boardwalk vendors and so much more. I would check several other reviews as the Gulf State Park has much more to offer than I covered here. The area is very well maintained and very scenic. There is ample parking and lots of people for fishing off the pier or on the beach with their families and friends. There is tons of beach access for miles and miles. The Gulf State Park Pavilion, for example, has terrific huge beach access. Love it, love it, love it!! We were on this beach when they ran us off @ 5pm a few weeks ago. We were here when for the re-open @ 5pm. Absolutely perfect beach day with 78° sunny day with nice northerly breeze, sweet!!! There's lots of parking and everyone is just happy to have our feet in the sand, wind in our faces & those waves. Ahhhh This uncrowded, natural beach is six miles east of Highway 59 on Beach Pkwy, with beautiful crystaline sand dunes and sea oats. There's lots of room to spread out, making it a great place for families with lots of gear. Surf fishing is a popular activity here. The beach pavilion features air-conditioned restrooms, private showers, a snack bar, plenty of shady spots to sit and eat, and even a huge fireplace for chilly days. There is a $6 fee to park all day ($12 for large vans) (residents park free so do veterans just see Beach Pavilion attendant or pick up an annual pass at Park office headquarters) and there's plenty of spaces, and lots of room for large vehicles and RVs. There's also a BBQ joint seasonally :-) The pavilion is also popular for weddings, reunions and other gatherings but you must call the Park HQ for rental information. The hours are 7:00 a.m. to Sunset, 7 days a week Bottom line; Gulf State Park's beautiful Beach Pavilion is a great place for you to enjoy a day at the beach! SWEET!
4. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,589 reviews
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo has become 'The Little Zoo That Grew' when we move to our new 25-acre home! The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is home to exotic animals including lions, tigers, giraffes, reptiles, kangaroos, lemurs, sloths to name just a few. The Zoo features a domestic barn along with seasonal animal encounters, a mining sluice and interactive animal shows during the spring and summer months. The mission of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is to create compelling experiences that connect people and community with wildlife and inspire personal responsibility for conservation of the natural world.
Reviewed By shelbyraye90 - East Troy, United States
A really nice zoo with lots of animals and plenty to do. Both of our kids loved the animals and getting to hold a baby kangaroo was so fun!!
5. Gulf State Park Fishing Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,089 reviews
The Gulf State Park Pier offers features such as indoor seating for concession area, indoor retail area for tackle and souvenirs, comfort stations at the midpoint of the pier (seen in picture above) and wheelchair accessible rail fishing. The new pier has 2,448 feet of fishing space available along the rails.
Reviewed By LynnzieLu - Dallas, United States
The hubby went out on this pier to go night fishing and it was very safe and he had plenty of other people there to keep him company. He was able to catch a ton of catfish, pulling them in practically every few minutes! Downside is that once the sun goes down, the pier was covered in HUGE COCKROACHES trying to steal his bait! The next day, we went swimming on the beach and was able to set up chairs and a blanket under the pier for shade right next to the water - perfect spot to watch the kiddos play in the sand. It was very convenient to have the restaurant and bait shop on the pier to order food and snacks - we plan to return the next time we vacation in Gulf Shores
6. Fort Morgan Road Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By 607jayb - Fairhope, United States
If you take the time to drive the Fort Morgan Peninsula (along Highway 180/aka Fort Morgan Road) and visit Fort Morgan, you will likely have a day to remember. As you drive out to the end of the peninsula, you will be treated to numerous great views of Little Lagoon, deep woods and the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way is the Bon Secour NWR with a great Nature Center and two great hiking nature trails. At the end of the trail is Fort Morgan, full of wonderful history. You can also hitch a ride on the Mobile Bay Ferry and be treated to a ride across the mouth of Mobile Bay that you will not soon forget. If you are looking to spend a day doing something other than the beach or expensive attractions, give this trail a try.
7. Gulf Shores Dog Park
8. Gulf Shores Public Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 434 reviews
Reviewed By BeachTigers - Springdale, United States
We love this beach! It’s wide, clean, well maintained, easily accessible, great parking. It could use a few more bike racks, but hey if you can’t find an open one, tie off to a palm tree! They’re are plenty of life guards on duty and beach patrol (County Sheriff’s) that actually enforce the laws! No dogs allowed- this is a human only beach. Can’t say enough about how family oriented, clean and safe this beach is! Just Go There! You will live it too!
9. The Dog Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Lake side dog park at Gulf State Park's Lake Shelby. This location features picnic tables, benches. an agility course, and separate areas for large and small dogs. Restrooms are nearby within the Lake Shelby picnic area.
Reviewed By 579angeliag - Cottondale, United States
Our sweet fur baby had a blast! We went in the morning hrs and there were lots of other people there with their pets and we loved it! It’s completely fenced in and on the lake. The dogs had a ball out there running and playing. The obstacle courses were great too. Loved seeing her enjoy herself! ????????????
