Cancellations within 72 hours of arrival forfeit the first nights fee. Additional accommodation options at Lake Guntersville State Park include a main lodge, cabins, and chalets, making it a popular location for family vacation gatherings. Weekly programs include guided nature walks, beach walks, pier walks, and nature time. An online survey collected feedback from more than 2,600 residents, including responses from all 67 counties in Alabama and from 34 states. Some sites have full hookups, and additional primitive sites are available. If you are interested in renting this facility, please contact Brian Dugall at 251-968-1173 or by email to inquire about available dates for this facility.

Alabamas Gulf Coast was hit hard by Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and the B.P. Gulf State Park has weekly "Dive-in Movie Nights" where registered guests can float in the park pool while watching a movie. Amenities include picnic tables, full hookups, camp stores, and easy access to miles of beaches. One thing we have found is there are so many things to do at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama it can be hard to choose what to do. Address:20115 AL-135, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, First Aid Stations are located at the park headquarters, Nature Center, Campground, The Lodge, The Refuge, Picnic Area and Orange Beach Municipal Complex.

I have been a Park Ranger for almost 20 years and can't wait to share with you National Park Travel Tips, Recipes, and so much more! For an in-depth look at how we are enhancing Gulf State Park for all, download our Master Plan. Oil Spill in 2010. Most campgrounds have modern restrooms, a dump station, potable water, a playground, and a store. The three-bedroom cottage had a full kitchen, living room and protected outdoor seating so you don't have to worry about bugs. Geocaching is a great way to explore the park and hunt for caches. 2022 Sasaki Associates, Inc.Better design, together.. Park facilities can include extensive activities like swimming beaches, watercraft rentals, fishing, multi-use trails, archery, golf, sports fields, and interpretive centers. You honestly can't ask for much more from a state park campground! Alligator Marsh Trail is a primitive trail that guides you into the park's wetlands. It may not be as well known, but wintering on the Gulf Coast can be a relaxing and economical experience, especially compared to the famous neighboring state of Florida.

A common misconception is that too much focus on the environment will hamper economic growth. Join our mailing list to be notified when additional project details are available. Alabama saltwater and/or pier fishing license. Service is available at most but not all parks, and may be accessible only from central areas like lodges. Site sizes and quality vary, some with concrete pads, large outdoor areas, or shade trees.

50 acres of dune restoration, home to the endangered Alabama beach mouse, 350-room Lodge at Gulf State Park with 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, Interpretive Center seeking Living Building Challenge full certification, 15 miles of new park trails and new wayfinding and interpretive signage, 2 pedestrian bridges over a major state road, connecting the parks beachfront with inland park destinations, Conversion of 1 mile of State Park Road 2 into Gopher Tortoise Trail, providing a much-needed safe bicycling/pedestrian connection between existing park trailheads, Learning Campus for K-12 students and researchers set in the parks northern woods including a student bunkhouse, classrooms and labs, an auditorium, and a public restaurant, These elements carefully balance new development in the park with its sensitive environmental ecosystems. Reservations can be made from 12 months to one day in advance. Essentials include beach toys, baby beach tent, beach table and more. Even if you do not enjoy fishing we highly suggest checking out the Gulf State Park Pier! We love how easy it is to get photos of Great Blue Herons and Pelicans at the Gulf State Pier. You have the opportunity to enjoy both fresh and saltwater fishing in Gulf State Park. Alabama state park campgrounds are located in some of the most spectacular natural settings in the state, from the coast to inland lakes, rivers, and forests. Check-in time: 4 p.m. Check-out time: 11 a.m. Alcoholic beverages: Not specifically prohibited, but check with the park for any restrictions. The 14-mile Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system connects the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and winds through the Gulf State Park. Reservations are encouraged but not required. Many RVers have learned that Alabama is an ideal destination.

Implemented dune restoration projects are helping to grow healthy dunes that provide important habitat while protecting the park and surrounding community from storm events, Parking once to explore via bike and foot was an important theme of the master plan vision, The park has already implemented many of the phase 1 and 2 improvements of the master plan, The new trail system reveals and connects some of the parks most beautiful moments, An expanded trail network includes 15 miles of new trails and 2 pedestrian bridges over a major beachfront state road, making it possible to travel between all major park destinations by bicycle or by foot. If you are looking to get away and relax you will love Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park! Check out theGulf State Park Wedding Planner Bookletto view permit requirements, beach access points, wedding planners, and other services. You will see hardwood forests, sparkling freshwater lakes, and dense bogs and swamps as you travel through the park. You can relax and soak in the views from your back deck. We have fallen in love with Gulf Shores and can't wait to plan a return trip. Free WiFi is available. - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about. Sasaki was also engaged for on-call planning support through implementation to advise as issues arose and to support with implementation progress. The owner may need to present current vaccination records upon check-in. Full hookups including sewer are available at many campgrounds. Just up the beach, the Lodge is the first hospitality building in the world to achieve SITES Platinum certification. The park has quite a few different venues perfect for hosting your dream beach wedding. Don't miss these great things to do outdoors in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach! The results of the project show how an interdisciplinary approach to the project support faster, more integrated implementation. Experience the best of both worlds at Gulf State Park with a woodsy camping experience on a lake, just a short walk from miles of white-sand coastline and a lively beach scene.

Great Outdoor Things to do in Gulf Shores Alabama! There is amazing saltwater fishing from the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier and freshwater fishing in Lake Shelby. 24 miles of trails are paved within the park. Encompassing more than 6,000 acres, Gulf State Park has extensive amenities and outdoor activities available, including nature walks and an interpretive center, miles of hiking and biking trails, a fishing pier, a large pool and splash pad, activity center, store, and watercraft rentals to enjoy on the inland lakes or open waters. Situated atop Lookout Mountain in Alabamas scenic northeast, DeSoto State Park is a destination for families, nature lovers, and thrill seekers alike. Fees: there is an entrance fee of $2per vehicle to enter the Campground.

Campsite rates vary based on campground, specific site, and time of year. Gulf Shores International Airport - Jack Edwards Field. If you are dreaming of a beach wedding look no further than having your wedding in Gulf State Park. This primitive trail goes through old forests and depending on the time of year you can view nesting Bald Eagles. The Gopher Tortoise Trail offers a car-free connection between the beach and the park's northern section. The wooded campground has more than 90 full hookup sites spacious enough to accommodate big rigs. From the start, this project was about going beyond rebuilding to create a new legacy for the stateexpanding access to Alabamas beautiful coastal ecosystems and outdoor recreation. If you are traveling with a baby you can also set up a baby beach essentials rental that includes all of the essentials for enjoying the beach with a baby. The Activity Center seats 150 people theater style, Commercial Rate - Not available at this facility.

We honestly did not want to leave the cottage when we stayed there. You can pick up a to-go meal at a Gulf Shores Restaurants or bring a cooler of options with you. Be sure to read carefully and select a site that can accommodate your rig. Details about site pad length and back-in or pull-through access is displayed in the site availability grid and map. The Gulf State Park Master Plan and its implementation is debunking this myth by demonstrating how a healthy environment can expand a local economy. Home to the federally-endangered Alabama Beach Mouse and an important flyway stopover, Gulf State Park is a critical environmental resource encompassing a diversity of ecosystems, The team engaged with more than 3,000 residents and park visitors, including feedback from all 67 counties in Alabama and 34 states. Alabamas campground reservation system does not allow searching by RV type or length, only by Improved or Primitive campsites.

Drone use: Prohibited over public parks and recreation areas. Roasted Oak is a coffee shop by day and wine bar by night.

The restaurant is modern and truly gorgeous. The states history and culture are as much of a draw as its natural beauty, with large cities and universities, charming small towns, passionate football fans, delicious local foods like fresh seafood and barbecue, and a pivotal role in the civil rights movement. Experience another side of Alabama in this mountainous state park full of lush forest, stunning waterfalls, and abundant wildflowers. Your email address will not be published. From upscale Perch which serves local fish and produce to Food Craft which focuses on family-oriented food. Lodging and campground guests are exempt from this fee. Your email address will not be published. Want to explore Gulf State Park in a fun new way? This realization became the foundation of the Gulf State Park enhancement project. These are our favorite things to do in Gulf State Park! The Gulf State Park Nature Center is a living museum of plants and animals that are found in the Gulf Coast Region. The renter must be able to provide proof of residency to receive rate. Perch at Gulf State Lodge offers an upscale dining environment with fresh fish from the gulf and produce from regional farmers. During peak season, March 1October 31, a minimum of two nights is required over weekends, three nights over holidays. Funded through recovery dollars from the oil spill, the Gulf State Park Master Plan provides a roadmap for the 6,150 acre coastal state park that goes beyond recoverytaking advantage of oil spill recovery funding to enhance the future resilience of the park. Ike's Beach Service offers parasailing from both the beach pavilion and the lodge. The Gulf Shores Activity Center is a 2,400 square feet building perfectly suited to host your next meeting, small banquet or reception, fundraiser and more. See the reservation website for campsite details and pricing. Gulf Shores, AL 36542. In 2014, this single park accounted for 23% of the total annual visitor revenue in the Alabama State Park System.

These are some of the popular trails within the park. The master plans environment-first economic development strategy has enhanced the park as an international sustainable tourism destination, opening up the local tourism economy to a new market sector. With over 25 miles of paved trails heading out on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is a great way to explore the area. This campground is the heart of the park and provides easy access to the beach, hiking trails and all of these activities. You can enjoy hiking and biking in the park easily.

Sasaki led the master plan including the engagement process, designed the new park branding, and completed landscape design for the Lodge, Interpretive Center, and Learning Campus. Things to do in Petrified Forest National Park. Both projects built on an extensive dune restoration program which implemented innovative natural strategies across 50 acres to grow an ecologically healthy, dynamic, and protective dune system for the park and community. The Beach Pavillion offers beautiful beach views and can fit a large wedding. Geocaches in the park must be registered with the park office. Developing a park brand that represented the diversity of the park as well as the core elements of the vision was a critical first step. Let us know what you love to do and what we have to do during our next visit.

The maximum stay is 14 nights at most campgrounds. Coastal Segway Adventures rents kayaks and paddleboards that you can enjoy in the park.

As tourism numbers fell sharply during the oil spill, the community grasped an important lesson: the health of their economy depended on the health of their environment. The park is home to many rare and endangered species including White-topped pitcher plants, gopher tortoises, and Bald Eagles. Learn more about Park Ranger John. Deployed throughout the park, the brand is now a recognizable and defining feature of the experience. Kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, cycling, rappelling, and bouldering are all available at different ability levels. Required fields are marked *. There are close to 28 miles of trails that cross through nine ecosystems within the park. 20115 State Highway 135 Don't miss all of the National Parks in Alabama. Click hereto view the Adult Activity Center photo gallery. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Each parks website has a link to its campground rates, and prices are displayed per site / per date in the reservation system. With new trailheads and places to pause, along with interpretive and wayfinding signage along the way, its ideal for enjoying the stunning natural beauty of Alabamas Gulf Coast. There are truly so many things to do at Gulf State Park that you can spend an entire week exploring the area and possibly not seeing it all. Five cuts were made in strategic locations, allowing sand to move naturally and restoring secondary and tertiary dunes. These are our favorite things to do in Gulf Shores for the entire family! The Gulf State Park story is writing a new narrative about Alabama. The commercial rate applies to any event where money is charged for attendance and/or where any type of business is solicited. Yes!

Middle Lake Overlook is accessed via the Armadillo Trail and offers views of Middle Lake in Gulf State Park Campground. By purposely blending environmental sustainability with economic objectives, the park is pioneering an integrated model of resilience where environmental sustainability is also a path for economic success. The master plan provided a roadmap to achieve a bold vision, transforming the park into an international sustainable tourism destination and improving Alabamas national reputation. This is a popular destination for returning campers, and reservations are strongly recommended. Check out Perdido Key State Park just down the road from the park. So park your car and leave it behind for unforgettable hikes of all types. If you don't want to pack all of your beach gear you can rent beach gear and have it delivered and picked up from your hotel or beach house! Service is offered at Ft. Morgan, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key. This post may contain affiliate links. This is the perfect way to beat the heat and cool off! You must have a Wedding Permit (which is separate from a marriage license) purchased from the park in order to hold your ceremony within the park.