Fort Gaines
Dauphin Island, AL
A brick fort guarding the mouth of Mobile Bay, where the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay was fought offshore. Walk the ramparts and tunnels.
Fort Gaines is a well-preserved 19th-century brick fort at the eastern tip of Dauphin Island in Alabama. It guards the entrance to Mobile Bay and is run by the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board.
The fort was designed in 1818 as a twin of Fort Morgan, work stopped from 1821, and the present pentagonal fort was not built until 1857 onward. Alabama militia seized it in January 1861; it fell in August 1864 during the Union attack on Mobile Bay. Admiral David Farragut is credited with the cry "Damn the torpedoes - full speed ahead!" during the battle. You can see cannons, a museum on the Civil War era and French colonial times, the huge anchor of Farragut's flagship USS Hartford, and tunnels to the corner bastions; the ramparts look out over Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Shoreline erosion threatens the site, which has been named among America's most endangered historic places. Please check opening hours and current condition in advance.
- Nearest town
- Dauphin Island, AL
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 30.2480, -88.0754
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Dauphin Island CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Fort Gaines · 151 pitchesTentsCaravansWaste disposalWi-Fi
- The Plantations At Fish RiverMotorhome stopover19 mi from Fort GainesMotorhomes
- Camellia RV ParkMotorhome stopover19 mi from Fort GainesMotorhomes
- Magnolia Springs RV Hideaway CampgroundMotorhome stopover20 mi from Fort GainesMotorhomes
- Coastal Paradise RV ResortMotorhome stopover23 mi from Fort GainesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- Anchors Aweigh RV ResortMotorhome stopover25 mi from Fort GainesMotorhomes
All campsites in Alabama · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Fort Gaines?
Fort Gaines is in Dauphin Island, AL, at GPS 30.2480, -88.0754. It is about 3 mi from Fort Morgan.
Can you camp near Fort Gaines?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Dauphin Island Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 40 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Fort Gaines?
Fort Gaines is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Mobile Bay and Alabama’s Gulf Shores.
What is there to see near Fort Gaines?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Morgan State Historic Site (3 mi), Bellingrath Gardens and Home (14 mi), Fairhope Municipal Pier (22 mi) and Gulf State Park (26 mi).
When is the best time to visit Fort Gaines?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)