Beaches & Parks

Amenities such as multiple public beach entrances, designated picnic areas, pavilions, bicycle trails, and walking paths make the coastline of Gulf Shores, Alabama, a popular destination spot for vacationers worldwide. Alabama's Gulf Coast extends over 32 miles of undulating white sand and crystalline emerald waves that average 70 degrees year round. Composed primarily of quartz, the sandy Gulf Coast beaches are world renowned for their beauty; the clear green water that is almost unparalleled in quality, grade, and color lures naturalists, sportsmen, and vacationing families from everywhere. Vacationers can enjoy birding, fishing, zoos, golfing, bicycling, go carts, charter boat tours, parasailing, and diving at the many beaches and parks in Gulf Shores.

From May through October, 300 pound sea turtles lay eggs on the shores of the Emerald Coast. Each egg-laying session can produce up to 100 eggs, all covered by the natural protection of the Gulf Coast sand. In the fall, thanks to the protective measures enacted by local and federal officials, many of these eggs will hatch and produce more of this endangered species. Visitors are asked to respect and protect the sea turtles by taking the following precautions.

• Use the shoreline as a walking guide rather than walking on the dunes further inland, which may hide turtle nests.
• Do not attempt to play with or otherwise disturb a turtle that is going to or from the water.
• Do not shine lights or take pictures of the turtles since this may disturb the mother and baby turtles.

Public Beaches

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Open year-round from dawn to dusk, the Bon Secour National Wild Refuge provides a 6,200 acre refuge to the animals and plants distinctive to the Gulf Coast area. Popular visitor attractions include hiking the Pine Beach Trail or Jeff Friend Trail and fishing in the freshwater Gator Lake.

Cotton Bayou Public Beach
Located at the intersection of Highway 182 and Highway 161, this little beach is perfect for a quick afternoon stroll in the sand and has a paved parking area.

Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion
Located on Highway 182, just east of Highway 59, the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion features over 10,000 feet of Gulf Coast beach. Picnic tables, showers and a refreshment area are available at the large pavilion.

Gulf State Park Picnic Area
Located off of Highway 182, the Gulf State Park Picnic Area covers 25-acres and has over 100 picnic tables. The area features swimming, water skiing, boating, boat rental, playgrounds, a snack bar and bathhouse.

Gulf Shores Public Beach
Featuring beach attendants, showers, three open pavilions, a picnic area, paved parking, and over 1,500 feet of boardwalk, the Gulf Shores Public Beach is located at Highway 59 and Highway 182 in Gulf Shores.

Perdido Point Public Beach
Located on Highway 182, just east of Perdido Pass Bridge, Perdido Point Public Beach features more than 6,000 feet of beaches and sand dunes, all of which can be enjoyed from a 225 foot boardwalk.

Public Parks

George C. Meyer Park
Located at East 24th Avenue in Gulf Shores, the George C. Meyer Park offers picnic areas, a playground, baseball diamond, and horseshoe pits. Playground equipment is available. For more information call (251) 968-4420.

Johnnie Sims Park
The largest of the Gulf Shores parks, the Johnnie Sims Park is located at West 19th Avenue and offers a fitness center, tennis courts, ball fields, baseball diamonds, an outdoor pavilion and children's park. An on-site fitness center features a gym with indoor track, weight room, racquetball, aerobics, saunas and an indoor pool. For more information call (334) 968-4420.

Orange Beach Recreational Center
Located at 4901 Wilson Boulevard, the Orange Beach Recreational Center offers programs for children and seniors. Children can participate in weekly summer camps, sports, and after-school and holiday activities. Seniors are offered arts and crafts activities, bridge, and painting. The site has a swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, a playground and ball fields. For more information call (251) 981-6028.

Wade Ward Park
Located off of State Highway 59, north of the Gulf Shores Public Beach, the Wade Ward Park offers a pavilion, benches, and boardwalk featuring spectacular views of the wetlands. For more information call (251) 968-4420.