Visitors to Alabama's Gulf State Park will need more than a picnic basket to enjoy all of the park's amenities. Visitor's to Gulf State Park can combine activities on water and land, such as swimming, tennis, hiking, biking, fishing and other activities, in one trip to this south Alabama facility. The park is a popular tourist destination that is also equipped with lodging facilities.
Gulf State Park consists of 6,150 acres that includes two miles of white-sand beaches and a 900-acre lake. The park also has an 18-hole golf course. There are many events that are hosted throughout the year at Gulf State Park. It is home to a nature center that offers guided nature walks, beach walks, pier walks and lessons on animals who live in the area, including many species of birds and turtles.
Gulf State Park is equipped with a campground for pitching a tent or parking a recreational vehicle. There is a fee charged to camp at the site. Reservations are encouraged.
Located along the northern shore of Gulf State Park's Lake Shelby are 11 cottages that are available for rent. Each cottage has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, two screened-in porches, a deck and fishing pier. The kitchens in the cottages are equipped with dishes, eating utensils and cooking utensils, as well as a microwave, coffeemaker, toaster and dishwasher. A satellite color television with video player is also available. Pets and smoking are not allowed inside the cabins.
Gulf State Park also has 20 cabins available for rent. The cabins feature full kitchens that are equipped with cooking and eating utensils, dishes, microwaves, coffeemakers and toasters. Satellite color televisions also are inside the cabins.
Gulf State Park has two beaches, in Gulf Shores and nearby Orange Beach. In addition to the park's two beaches, guests can fish, golf and hike, bike or walk one of the park's extensive collection of trails. The Gulf State Park beach pavilion is equipped with picnic tables. The beach pavilion can be rented for weddings, family reunions, corporate gatherings and other events. Gulf State Park offers geocaching, a treasure-hunting game where participants use GPS tracking devices to locate objects.
Gulf State Park sustained damages in 2004 from Hurricane Ivan and in 2005 from Hurricane Katrina. The two storms damaged the park's fishing pier, woodlands, beachfront lodge, picnic areas, campgrounds and beach pavilion. A new fishing pier opened in 2009. According to Gulf State Park's website, the pier is the longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico at 1,540 feet. The new pier has seating areas, a tackle and souvenir shop and wheelchair accessibility.
Alabama's Gulf State Park is located in Gulf Shores, Ala., which lies in the southern portion of the state on the Gulf of Mexico. The park's official address is 20115 State Highway 135. Many entertainment venues, restaurants and shopping centers are located near Gulf State Park. One of many popular shopping draws in the area is a Tanger Outlet mall that is located in nearby Foley, Ala. Waterville U.S.A., a 20-acre amusement park, is also located in Gulf Shores, and the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is located in Orange Beach. Gulf State Park is located about 33 miles from Pensacola, Fla., and about 50 miles from Mobile, Ala.
