Public recreation area on the Gulf of Mexico including wide beach area, marshland, boggy tea-colored streams, pine forests, and three spring-fed, fresh-water lakes
General Information
Parking Pay Stations (Kiosks) are in place at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier and the Beach Pavilion in Gulf Shores and at the public beach accesses in Orange Beach - Romar Beach, Cotton Bayou, Alabama Point and Shell Beach.
$3.00 - 2 hours for personal vehicle
$5.00 - 4 hours for personal vehicle
$10.00 - All day for personal vehicle
$15.00 - All day for passenger vans
From Mobile (46 miles): Head south on N Water St toward St Michael St. Turn right onto Government St. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto S Royal St. Turn left onto Conti St. Turn left onto S Joachim St. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Government St. Keep left to stay on Government St. Slight right toward US-90 E/US-98 E/Old Spanish Trail. Keep left to continue toward US-90 E/US-98 E/Old Spanish Trail. Merge onto US-90 E/US-98 E/Old Spanish Trail. Turn right to merge onto I-10 E toward Pensacola. Take exit 44 toward Loxley. Merge onto AL-59 S. Continue straight onto AL-59 S/Milwaukee St. Turn left onto E 15th Ave. Turn right onto E 2nd St/Alabama's Coastal Connection. Turn left onto Alabama's Coastal Connection/Fort Morgan Road/State Park Rd.
Gulf State Park is a public recreation area on the Gulf of Mexico in the city of Gulf Shores in southern Baldwin County, Alabama. The state park's 6,500 acres (2,600 ha) mostly encompass the land behind the Gulf Shores beach community, between Highway 59 and SH 161, with the west end extending further south to a wide beach area. In addition to beaches, the park includes marshland, boggy tea-colored streams, pine forests, and three spring-fed, fresh-water lakes: Lake Shelby (750 acres or 300 hectares), Middle Lake, and Little Lake.
The park's facilities, including cabins and a casino, were built in the 1930s by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps working under the Federal government. The park opened in 1939 after ownership of the property was transferred to the state.
The park includes 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of white sand beaches, a modern campground, and nature trails, plus both fresh and saltwater fishing and swimming. 20 cabins, 11 cottages, and 496 campsites for both RVs and tents are available within the park's 11.5 square miles (29.9 km2). An 18-hole golf course includes a pro shop and snack bar. A concessionaire operates a zip-line course which opened in 2013 and offers kayak and paddleboard rentals for use on Lake Shelby.
- Pier: 20800 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 - parking and restroons
- Beach Pavilion: 22250 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542 - parking(paid) and restroons
- Romar Beach: 24450 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach 36561 - parking
- Cotton Bayou: 25900 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach 36561 - parking, restrooms, handicap accessible
- Alabama Point: 27853 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach 36561 - parking and restroons
- Shell Lot: 28273 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach 36561 - parking, portable restroom
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles "Gulf State Park", which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
