The Ultimate Guide to Campgrounds in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Beach Vacation, 25 Rainy-Day Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 10 Fun Family Activities in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Take The Kids On A Catch & Release Crabbing Adventure On Alabama's Gulf Coast, Best Fine Dining Restaurants on Alabamas Beaches, 12 Restaurants Locals Love On Alabamas Beaches, 4 Beach Restaurants Perfect for Date-Night, 10 Things to Know Before Your Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Vacation, 10 Cheap & Free Things To Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, 10 Things to do with Teens in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Thrilling Amusement Parks in Gulf Shores Orange Beach, Five Tips to Becoming a Confident Speaker, Top 10 Must-Visit Attractions for Your Next Workcation, Non-Traditional Meeting Spaces on Alabamas Gulf Coast, Which Social Media Networks Help Meeting Planners the Most, 3 Meeting Tips To Make Your Next Gulf Coast Meeting a Success, 5 Ways Social Media Can Help Meeting Planners Communicate & Educate Attendees, How to Increase Attendance at Your Next Conference, Tips for Maintaining a Work-Life Balance as a Meeting Professional, From the Desk of: Q&A with Sales Manager Amy Peralta, From the Desk of: Q&A with Meetings Sales Manager Mary Statkewicz, Budget-Friendly Planning Tips for Sports Parents, Budget-Friendly Meals for the Whole Team in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Top Places to Grab the Best Crab Claws Near the Gulf Coast, 7 Quirky, Must-Visit Places in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, 5 Action-Packed Activities Along Alabamas Gulf Coast, What to Do When Your Tournament is Rained Out, Get to Know the Beach's Best Sports Facilities, Event Planner Resources for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Start Planning Your Spring Sportscation to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Swimming cannot be a guaranteed activity; therefore, we cannot offer refunds on camping stays. Ideal for all ages and skill levels, Sand Castle University offers beginner and advanced classes with tools to learn how to build sand towers and castles. Plenty of dive sites are appropriate for beginners and younger kids, such as theWhiskey Wreck, a sunken rumrunner boat thats only 25 feet deep, and Poseidons Playground, an underwater statue garden with sculptures of Greek gods. The site itself is home to fascinating seacoast fortifications that date back to the War of 1812, as well as a boat launch, picnic areas, and nature areas where you can spot birdlife. The lighthouse is on Naval Air Station Pensacola, an active military base, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Summer Camps on the AL Coast | Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Come learn how the facility produces its own electricity and water and explore the park's nine ecosystems through a variety of family-friendly interactive exhibits before you hit the trails. The beach is a great way for children of all ages to have fun together - young and old equally love to play in the sand and water. Theinterpretive team will help them connect with the natural world through art, activities, storytelling, games, and so much more. Gulf State Park | Outdoorsy More than 6000 acres of protected area. Pre-registration required. There are no closing times - so you can hike, swim or camp anytime during the day and night! Address: Gulf State Park, 20115 State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, USA. There are the boardwalk paths to explore, taking you over varied coastal environments like swamps and dunes, down to the shore. Green tree frogs and leopard frogs can be heard calling. We apologize for this inconvenience as it may occur with little advance notice. Gulf Shores has championship golf, renowned restaurants, and is the place to find one-of-a-kind experiences like dolphin cruises. Gulf State Park Shark Week . The park offers high-speed roller coasters, vertical thrill rides, childrens roller coasters, and a unique Air Racer thrill ride that simulates flying in an air show. From Pensacola, you take FL-292 into Alabama, then turn onto AL-161N. Because Gulf Shores is a seaside resort area, its no surprise that one of the best things to do here is spend time on the beach. Breezing along, youll enjoy the changing scenery through the parks ecosystems, but dont go too fast or you may miss the alligator sunning in the wetland or the gopher tortoise foraging outside his burrow. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. How many can you identify just by listening to their calls? Reservations can be made for today and can be made up to 9 Month(s) in advance. Arts, crafts, nature, gardening, composting and ecology. All full hookup pads are big enough for motorhomes with pullouts and have a picnic table and pedestal grill. TheGulf Coast Exploreum Science Centeris a science-themed attraction with interactive exhibits, hands-on learning, and incredible IMAX films. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation - Whetstone Gulf State Park. Directions S'ouvre dans un nouvel onglet. Social-distancing. Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 2023 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Damage to the facility or failure to clean or remove trash may result in the cancellation of any remaining scheduled events in your name. Home Find a Park Caladesi Island State Park A truly untouched island offering natural delights Hours The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Fees $6 per boat See all fees Location Offshore island Dunedin FL 34698 Get directions Contact Info 727-469-5918 Park Menu Hours & Fees Experiences & Amenities Public Notice It is the perfect place to host a wedding and reception that wont break the bank! Once you have found a geocache site, look around! Participants will receive detailed course instructions upon registration. Cinnamon ferns begin unrolling their fronds. Geocachers navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache located at that spot. Great horned owl chicks are seen in the nest. Email: Gulfcampground.StatePark@dcnr.. 251.923.3900, Follow Eagle Cottages: THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores - Tripadvisor Bahama Bobs is frequented by tourists and locals alike, and is known for their fried pickles, coconut shrimp, and beautiful views while guests sit right on the beach. Historical Highlights of Birmingham (Editor's Choice) 2. Located in the campground with a view of Middle Lake, this facility has a warming kitchen and includes the use of tables and chairs. for being a Partner to the Alabama State Park System! About the Gulf Coast Ambassadors of the Environment, About the Learning Campus at Gulf Sate Park. Instagram. [1] With the bugs and humidity the south is known for, youre likely to have a much more pleasant night in a comfortable RV than camping in a tent! There are also several shelters which you can rent, that offer covered seating with electricity and running water. From landfaring activities like bicycling and hiking to spending time in the water boating or swimming, theres sure to be an activity for everyone in your group! Kona Ice is a soft-serve ice cream truck that visits gulf state park daily offering summertime treats to everyone who passes by! The pier is open every day of the year. About the Gulf State Park Learning Campus: Cabins, Meeting Rooms, and Visitor Center | Alapark The Visitor Center is also your exclusive home to official Gulf State Park gear! The top attractions to visit in Lowville are: Tug Hill Vineyards; Whetstone Gulf State Park; Whitaker Park; Maple Ridge Snow Park; Lewis County Historical Society; See all attractions in Lowville on Tripadvisor You can rent an RV at your home and drive it to the park, or if youd prefer, you can fly to Alabama and then rent an RV there to head to the park. No ATVs allowed in the park. Located along the southern shores of Alabama, Gulf State Park, about an hour from Mobile, Gulf State Parks two miles of beaches is home to glistening white sand beaches, lots of sea-loving animals, and a treasure trove of seashells. Youll find a wide variety of other dive sites for different experience levels. The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel. Whetstone Gulf State Park is built in and around a three-mile-long gorge cut into the eastern edge of the Tug Hill Plateau. The Activities Center offers a spacious setting for a variety of events. Crabbing for the tasty blue crab with baskets or a line and bait is a popular option, especially if you plan to cook them, but you can also try catch-and-release crabbing. Osceola National Forest Guide The water park features fun summer attractions like a wave pool, a lazy river, high-speed body slides, childrens splash areas, open-air and tube slides, and a FlowRider surf simulator. District Superintendent Matt Young shares more about what the park has to offer, 2 charged in deadly Friday shooting in Montgomery, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama hosts job fair, Quinshon Judkins hosts back-to-school giveaway in Montgomery, River Region schools looking for full-time, substitute bus drivers, One Community Outreach United hosts back-to-school jam. The Gulf State Park Nature Center is a living museum that's home to native plants and animals from the Gulf Coast region. But with so much to do, guests wouldn't mind getting stuck here a little longer. Stop by and make some new connections. Full- and half-day trips are available, and you can book a private tour for just your family to have the whole boat to yourself. You may also see naval vessels and historic landmarks from the unique vantage point of the water. Generators can be used only from 9-11AM and 5-9PM. Gulf State Park July 10, 2023 - 10:00 am until July 14, 2023 - 2:00 pm . Drop in any time between 9:00am and noon to join our Naturalist in dragging a seine net through the shallow waters of one of our brackish water lakes to see what we can discover! Where pets are permitted, there is a maximum limit of 2 pets per site. Learn the Japanese art of Shibori dyeing with indigo and turmeric dye baths. There is no fee to enter Gulf State Park. Alligators are claiming their territories; be on the lookout along the waterways in the park. While we have lots of things you will see year-round, we also have seasonal visitors and activities that happen at different times of the year. Gulf State Park is an absolute must see attraction before the summer is over! To learn more about one of our tours, contact Eagle Cottages at 251.923.3900. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. No staples, tape, glue, pins, nails, or other adhesives of any type are allowed. Home | Families | Family Destination Guides | Southeast | 21 Gulf Shores kid activities. During the summer months, families flock to the beaches with flashlights to search for crabs and learn a little about them. If you make your reservation within 3 days of your arrival you can book a 1-night stay online or through the RA Call Center (1-800-456-2267). TheAlabama Gulf Coast Zoois an exciting animal park with a variety of global wildlife species, an aviary, a reptile house, a petting zoo, and animal demonstrations. As the park is along the beautiful Gulf Coast, there are plenty of water-related activities for visitors. Youll see a wide variety of unique artifacts and displays at the museum, such as pirate treasures, nautical equipment, and maritime memorabilia. Some other cool experiences and activities at the park include: even trails among six distinct ecosystems make up more than 25 miles of the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail complex through the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and Gulf State Park. The Gulf State Park Pier, which was rebuilt after Hurricane Ivan, has indoor seating and concessions, shops selling tackle and souvenirs, comfort stations midway down the pier, and wheelchair accessible rail fishing. 361 reviews. Gulf Islands National Seashore The museum also has videos in the theater to learn about ocean life and maritime history. See dolphins up close, playing and jumping in the surf. Foodcraft is located in The Lodge just down the path from the pool area where they offer grab n' go snacks as well as prepared salads, sandwiches, gourmet coffee drinks, and more. Advanced registration is required. For information about Gulf State Park's Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, be sure to take a look at the following article: This Wildlife Hike Along The Alabama Coast Is A Nature Lover's Dream. Bicycling - Seven trails that wind through six different ecosystems make up over 25 miles of bike trails through the park. A Guide to Activities & RV Rentals at Gulf State Park | RVshare Equipment and supplies located in the building are the property of Gulf State Park. The park is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail and is the site of the Battle of Fort Blakeley, which was the last major battle of the Civil War. Several tour operators provide dolphin cruises for families with opportunities to see these playful animals frolicking in the water. Sand Castle Universitygives you a chance to build amazing sandcastles with the family and learn all the tips and tricks to making remarkable sand art. The park is on the edge of the Tug Hill Plateau, south of Lowville. Be sure to check the rules to make sure your dog has the proper vaccinations and other requirements to play at the park. Discover how the Interpretive Center generates its own renewable power and provides its own water. Check out our upcoming events. The park is also home to the Gatra Wehle Nature Center, which has exhibits on environmental issues. For more information give them a call at (251) 948-7275. You can even rent a bike from the camp store to explore the 25 miles of paved trails around the park. Small class sizes. Gulf State Park offers geocaches on its trails and roads, making it super easy to enjoy your day out hiking with family and friends while trying to discover these little treasures.