Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is located on Alabama's Fort Morgan peninsula, a picturesque and undeveloped stretch of sand dunes and marshes on the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides a safe harbor ("bon secour" in French) for migratory birds, mammals, sea turtles and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. Though there are no lodging facilities within the refuge, rental cabins and cottages are available nearby.
Alabama's Gulf Shores State Park offers 20 modern cabins and 11 new cottages on Lake Shelby, two and a half miles from the nearest beach and about 10 miles from Bon Secour NWR. The property offers lodging amid quiet pine forests or along the shores of the lake. Cabins feature one, two or three bedrooms; screened porches, barbecues, picnic tables and kitchen equipment. Lakeside cabins also feature fishing piers. The cottages, all located on the lake, have three bedrooms, three baths, two screened porches, deck and fishing piers, as well as fully stocked kitchens. Pets and smoking are not permitted in any of the accommodations.
Gulf Shores State Park
20115 State Highway 135
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-7275
alapark.com
This large condominium and vacation home development, located only three miles from Bon Secour NWR, features five two-bedroom duplex "cottages" (or small beach houses) in a luxury setting. Each home features two full baths, fully furnished rooms and kitchen, adjacent screened porch, garage and golf cart. A short walk away, visitors can enjoy the pool and sauna, professional tennis court, fitness center and other activities in the clubhouse.
Martinique on the Gulf
987 Boulevard Martinique
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(800) 627-4381
martinique-gulf.com
The KOA Campground chain's Gulf Shores location is about 35 miles northeast of Bon Secour on scenic Perdido Bay. The campground offers seven one-room cabins that sleep two without many frills, and one lodge that accommodates four guests with more luxurious amenities. Each cottage features a veranda and porch swing. Five cabins and the lodge are adjacent to the bay, while the remaining two cabins are slightly inland. The campground offers water sports, game fishing and other recreational activities.
Gulf Shores/Pensacola West KOA
11650 Country Road 99
Lillian, AL 36549
(251) 961-1717
lostbayrv.com
koa.com/where/al/01102/
