Gulf State Park
Gulf Shores, AL
Beaches, dune boardwalks, freshwater lakes and a big campground, linked by miles of paved trails. Bring bikes for the backcountry trail.
Gulf State Park is a state park in Gulf Shores on Alabama's Gulf Coast. Its 6,150 acres (about 2,500 hectares) combine dunes, the freshwater Lake Shelby, marshes, creeks and pine forest, with a roughly two-mile white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
Lake Shelby covers about 900 acres and is popular with anglers. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail System measures 7.8 miles (about 12.5 km) on flat terrain, and further hiking and biking trails are in the park. Facilities include a nature center, an 18-hole golf course, cabins, cottages and the lodge by the beach. The land passed to the State of Alabama in 1939; Hurricane Ivan (2004) destroyed many original facilities, which were later rebuilt.
For campers: the campground offers 496 RV sites with electric, water and sewer hookups and 11 primitive tent sites. The pier, destroyed by Hurricane Sally in 2020, officially reopened in fall 2024 after a multi-year rebuild and is now about 1,544 feet (470 meters) long. Please check current conditions, fees and reservations in advance.
- Nearest town
- Gulf Shores, AL
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 30.2520, -87.6450
- Editor's pick
- ★
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
© Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY-SA 2.0Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore
© Silver2k12 · CC BY-SA 3.0Fort Morgan State Historic Site
© Harley Flowers from Daphne Al, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0Fairhope Municipal Pier
© Douglas Marks · CC BY-SA 3.0Fort Gaines
Campsites nearby
- Gulf State ParkMotorhome stopover1 mi from Gulf State ParkMotorhomes
- Gulf State Park CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Gulf State Park · 507 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Anchors Aweigh RV ResortMotorhome stopover8 mi from Gulf State ParkMotorhomes
- Coastal Paradise RV ResortMotorhome stopover10 mi from Gulf State ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposal
- KOA HolidayMotorhome stopover15 mi from Gulf State ParkMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Oak Grove ParkMotorhome stopover21 mi from Gulf State ParkMotorhomes
All campsites in Alabama · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Gulf State Park?
Gulf State Park is in Gulf Shores, AL, at GPS 30.2520, -87.6450. It is about 5 mi from Orange Beach.
Can you camp near Gulf State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Gulf State Park, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 65 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Gulf State Park?
Gulf State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Mobile Bay and Alabama’s Gulf Shores.
What is there to see near Gulf State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore (22 mi), Fort Morgan State Historic Site (23 mi), Fairhope Municipal Pier (25 mi) and Fort Gaines (26 mi).
When is the best time to visit Gulf State Park?
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)