Although Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are separate cities on the Alabama coast, you really won't notice going from one to the other---as the two run right into each other except where the Gulf State Park lies between them. Fun on the white sandy beaches, restaurants, gift shops, condos and campgrounds on the coast draw visitors from all over.
Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park, located between the two towns, is a quiet oasis from the regular tourist attractions. It features 496 campsites, 11 trails, a mile-long pier and 3 miles of oceanfront space.
Trails
The 11 trails in the Gulf State Park, which are well marked and easy to navigate, span 25 miles and cover a variety of terrain---from beaches and woodlands to lagoons, rivers and creeks. Some trails are paved; others are more rugged, featuring only a dirt path that leads through the woodlands. There is also a bird trail near Mobile, Alabama, which features six loops and focuses on wetlands.
Pier Fishing
The Pier at the Gulf State Park was rebuilt and opened in 2009, after it had been destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The Pier is 1,540 feet long, features benches and two pier houses, and offers fishing as well as sightseeing opportunities.
The Beach
Going to the beach is always a fun activity, and the locals of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach do what they can to help out the tourists. Outfitters rent bicycles, kayaks, windsurfing equipment and more---some of which offer lessons. Lifeguards are on duty in the tourist areas.
Something Different
Just up the road from the beaches at Silverhill is the Wales West RV Resort. Featuring a short rebuilt Welsh Railroad you can ride on, the park also offers a small railroad museum, musical entertainment and restaurants. This park is near Mobile Bay and behind Gulf Shores, less than a mile from the ocean.
Museums and Music
At the Gulf Shores Museum, which offers free admission, you may hear a shrimper tell his personal story or hear about the history of hurricanes in the area. Providing free weekly concerts on the beach, the museum tells the story of Gulf Shores via exhibits on pirates, blockade running during the Civil War, various hurricanes and historic characters of the region and state.
Member Comments