Gulf Shores beach looking east along the sand
Beaches

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach beaches, access and rules

Gulf Shores has eight public beach accesses from Lagoon Pass to Gulf Place, with city parking at $2 or $3 an hour. Gulf State Park runs six more from its pier to Shell Beach in Orange Beach, all on one $15 day pass. Dogs aren't allowed on the public beaches, alcohol is banned on the Gulf Shores public beach and the park beaches, and gear left out after dark is removed.

Pick a beach
Checked November 3, 202614 public accessesPark pass $15/day

Gulf Shores, Alabama · Photo: Ontheway Advice / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0 · Credits

The short answer

Which beach suits your day

Beachfront hotels and condos have their own walkways; everyone else uses the public accesses. The ten public spots to know are the three Gulf Shores beaches with lifeguards, the six state park accesses and the refuge.

  • Lifeguards and restroomsGulf PlaceThe Gulf Shores public beach, with lifeguards from March to October.$2–$3/hour parking
  • A drink on the beachOrange Beach city beachesAllowed there without glass; banned at Gulf Place and all park accesses.Free beach
  • One pass for several beachesGulf State Park accessesPier, Pavilion, Romar, Cotton Bayou, Alabama Point East and Shell Beach.$15 a day
  • Fishing from a pierGulf State Park PierOpen 24 hours; the parking pass covers one angler's fishing permit.$15 incl. permit
  • A quieter west endLagoon Pass ParkLifeguards from March to October, at Little Lagoon Pass.$2–$3/hour parking
  • A beach in a wildlife refugeBon Secour refugeTrails to the beach from sunrise to sunset; no pets.Free
City accesses, park beaches and the refuge

Fees, lifeguards and facilities

Lifeguards watch the main city and Orange Beach beaches in season. Before you swim, check the flag and where lifeguards are on duty.

  1. Gulf Shores Public Beach (Gulf Place)Gulf ShoresCostThe beach is freeLifeguardsYes, March to OctoberFacilitiesRestrooms and showers
  2. West 6th StreetGulf ShoresCostThe beach is freeLifeguardsYes, March to OctoberFacilitiesRestrooms and showers
  3. Lagoon Pass ParkGulf ShoresCostThe beach is freeLifeguardsYes, March to OctoberFacilitiesRestrooms and showers
  4. Gulf State Park PierGulf State ParkCostThe $15 parking includes one daily fishing permit if you fish, or three sightseeing admissions if you only walk the pierFacilitiesRestrooms at the middle of the pier, a bait and tackle shop
  5. Gulf State Park Beach PavilionGulf State ParkCost$15 a day per carLifeguardsThe Orange Beach lifeguard patrol area ends hereFacilitiesRestrooms
  6. Romar BeachOrange BeachCost$15 a day per carLifeguardsYes, March 1 to October 31FacilitiesRestrooms
  7. Cotton BayouOrange BeachCost$15 a day per carLifeguardsYes, March 1 to October 31FacilitiesRestrooms and showers
  8. Alabama Point EastOrange BeachCost$15 a day per carLifeguardsYes, March 1 to October 31FacilitiesRestrooms
  9. Shell BeachOrange BeachCost$15 a day per carLifeguardsYes, March 1 to October 31FacilitiesA portable toilet
  10. Bon Secour National Wildlife RefugeFort Morgan PeninsulaCostFreeFacilitiesVisitor contact station Monday to Friday 9 am–1 pm
Place by place

Fees, parking and facilities at each beach

From Gulf Shores in the west to Shell Beach in the east, then the refuge on the Fort Morgan Peninsula.

Gulf Shores · Beach Blvd (Hwy 182) between E 1st and W 2nd St

Gulf Shores Public Beach (Gulf Place)

The beach is free

Best for Lifeguards and restrooms on the main Gulf Shores public beach

Cost
The beach is free. Parking costs $2 to $3 an hour
Hours
Under 18s must be off the public beach from midnight to 6 am unless with a parent. Lifeguards March to October
Parking
$2 an hour north of Beach Blvd, $3 south of it, March 1 to November 30, paid with the Park Mobile app. The East Gulf Place lot is for residents only, all year
Facilities
Restrooms and showers. Three beach access mats at Gulf Place and one at East Gulf Place help wheelchairs and strollers across the sand; they stop short of the water because the slope gets steep. Beach safety officers and lifeguards will help, 251-968-9828
Alcohol
Banned all year. You may carry it unopened in its original, covered packaging from a licensed store
Pets
Not on the beach; allowed in the Gulf Place area off the beach

No fishing at Gulf Place, on the beach or within 100 feet out into the water. No tobacco or e-cigarettes, no drones without FAA and city permission.

Sources: Gulf Shores: beach rules, beach parking, beach safety, accessibility, city code

Gulf Shores · West Beach Blvd

West 6th Street

The beach is free

Best for A street-end access with lifeguards west of Gulf Place

Cost
The beach is free. Parking costs $2 to $3 an hour
Hours
Lifeguards March to October
Parking
$2 an hour north of Beach Blvd, $3 south of it, March 1 to November 30, paid with the Park Mobile app
Facilities
Restrooms and showers
Alcohol
Banned all year on the Gulf Shores public beach, and on all beach sand in the city from March 1 to mid or late April
Pets
Not on the beach

The other street ends on West Beach Blvd are West 4th (walk-in only, no parking listed), 5th, 10th, 12th and 13th Street. West 5th and 12th have showers on the map, West 10th and 13th restrooms and showers.

Sources: Gulf Shores: beach parking, beach safety

Gulf Shores · West Beach Blvd at Little Lagoon Pass

Lagoon Pass Park

The beach is free

Best for Lifeguards at the quieter west end of Gulf Shores

Cost
The beach is free. Parking costs $2 to $3 an hour
Hours
No parking after 2 am. Lifeguards March to October
Parking
$2 an hour north of Beach Blvd, $3 south of it, March 1 to November 30, paid with the Park Mobile app
Facilities
Restrooms and showers
Alcohol
Banned all year on the Gulf Shores public beach, and on all beach sand in the city from March 1 to mid or late April
Pets
Not on the beach

Good to know: The state tests the water here; a water-quality advisory can apply even under a green flag.

Sources: Gulf Shores: beach parking, beach safety

Gulf State Park · 20800 East Beach Blvd

Gulf State Park Pier

The $15 parking includes one daily fishing permit if you fish, or three sightseeing admissions if you only walk the pier

Best for Fishing or a walk out over the Gulf, 1,544 feet

Cost
The $15 parking includes one daily fishing permit if you fish, or three sightseeing admissions if you only walk the pier
Hours
The pier is open 24 hours a day
Parking
$15 a day per car, valid at all six Gulf State Park beach accesses that day; $200 a year; paid by QR code with your plate. Trailers, buses and large RVs $35, here and at the Pavilion only
Facilities
Restrooms at the middle of the pier, a bait and tackle shop
Alcohol
Banned on the park beaches and their parking lots
Pets
Not on the park beach
Full guide to Gulf State Park Pier

Source: Alabama State Parks: pier

Gulf State Park · 22250 East Beach Blvd

Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion

$15 a day per car

Best for The park's main beach, with room for trailers and RVs

Cost
$15 a day per car
Hours
No overnight parking
Parking
$15 a day per car, valid at all six Gulf State Park beach accesses that day; $200 a year; paid by QR code with your plate. Trailers, buses and large RVs $35
Facilities
Restrooms
Alcohol
Banned on the park beaches and their parking lots
Pets
Not on the park beach
Full guide to Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion

Sources: Alabama State Parks: beaches, park rules (PDF)

Orange Beach · 24450 Perdido Beach Blvd

Romar Beach

$15 a day per car

Best for A park beach with an Orange Beach lifeguard tower

Cost
$15 a day per car
Hours
Orange Beach lifeguards 10 am–6 pm March to May and September to October, 10 am–8 pm Memorial Day to Labor Day
Parking
$15 a day per car, valid at all six Gulf State Park beach accesses that day; $200 a year; paid by QR code with your plate
Facilities
Restrooms
Alcohol
Banned on the park beaches and their parking lots
Pets
Not on the park beach

Sources: Alabama State Parks: beaches, Orange Beach: beach safety

Orange Beach · 25900 Perdido Beach Blvd

Cotton Bayou

$15 a day per car

Best for Showers and a lifeguard tower in the middle of Orange Beach

Cost
$15 a day per car
Hours
Orange Beach lifeguards 10 am–6 pm March to May and September to October, 10 am–8 pm Memorial Day to Labor Day
Parking
$15 a day per car, valid at all six Gulf State Park beach accesses that day; $200 a year; paid by QR code with your plate
Facilities
Restrooms and showers
Alcohol
Banned on the park beaches and their parking lots
Pets
Not on the park beach

Sources: Alabama State Parks: beaches, Orange Beach: beach safety

Orange Beach · 28100 Perdido Beach Blvd

Alabama Point East

$15 a day per car

Best for The beach just east of Perdido Pass

Cost
$15 a day per car
Hours
Orange Beach lifeguards 10 am–6 pm March to May and September to October, 10 am–8 pm Memorial Day to Labor Day
Parking
$15 a day per car, valid at all six Gulf State Park beach accesses that day; $200 a year; paid by QR code with your plate
Facilities
Restrooms
Alcohol
Banned on the park beaches and their parking lots
Pets
Not on the park beach

Sources: Alabama State Parks: beaches, Orange Beach: beach safety

Orange Beach · 28282 Perdido Beach Blvd

Shell Beach

$15 a day per car

Best for The easternmost park access, toward the Flora-Bama

Cost
$15 a day per car
Hours
Orange Beach lifeguards 10 am–6 pm March to May and September to October, 10 am–8 pm Memorial Day to Labor Day
Parking
$15 a day per car, valid at all six Gulf State Park beach accesses that day; $200 a year; paid by QR code with your plate
Facilities
A portable toilet
Alcohol
Banned on the park beaches and their parking lots
Pets
Not on the park beach

Sources: Alabama State Parks: beaches, Orange Beach: beach safety

Restrooms and showers at the Gulf Shores accesses come from the city's beach map of May 21, 2020, which the city hasn't fully reissued; lifeguard spots are from the current Gulf Shores and Orange Beach safety pages.

Parking

Where you can park, and what it costs

Gulf Shores raised its rates on July 1, 2026. Paid hours are posted at each lot. In Orange Beach the public beach parking is at the state park accesses.

Sources: Gulf Shores: beach parking, Alabama State Parks: beaches, Orange Beach: state beach access parking, resident beach parking.

Clouds over the beach at Gulf Shores
The beach at Gulf Shores.Gulf Shores, Alabama · Photo: Gary Peeples, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

  • Gulf Shores city lots

    Location: Gulf Place, the West Beach street ends, Lagoon Pass

    Cost and rules: $2 an hour north of Beach Blvd, $3 south of it, March 1 to November 30, by Park Mobile. $4 an hour from 11 pm to 6 am. No parking after 2 am on public land or at Lagoon Pass. Tickets $75, plus $75 every 24 hours

  • East Gulf Place

    LocationGulf ShoresCost and rulesResidents only, all year

  • Gulf State Park accesses

    Location: Pier, Pavilion, Romar, Cotton Bayou, Alabama Point East, Shell Beach

    Cost and rules: $15 a day per car, valid at all six that day; $200 a year. Pay by QR code; the city of Orange Beach also describes kiosks for cash or card. No overnight parking

  • Trailers, buses, large RVs

    LocationPier and Pavilion onlyCost and rules$35 a day

  • Orange Beach resident lot

    Location25700 Perdido Beach BlvdCost and rulesOnly with the city's resident pass, one per household
Beach rules

What's allowed on the beach

Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park each have their own beach rules. On the Fort Morgan Peninsula outside the city, Baldwin County's beach and dune rules apply.

Alcohol
Gulf Shores: banned on the public beach all year and on all beach sand from March 1 to mid or late April. Gulf State Park: banned on the park beaches and their lots. Orange Beach: allowed on city beaches, never in glass
Glass
Banned in both cities, including breakable plastic in Gulf Shores
Dogs
Not on the beach in Gulf Shores (allowed in the Gulf Place area off the beach), not on the beach or dunes in Orange Beach, not on the park beaches
Leave Only Footprints
Set up from sunrise. Gear left on the beach after one hour after sunset is removed, in both cities
Holes
No deeper than 12 inches, and filled in 30 minutes before sunset. Orange Beach bans metal shovels
Tents
Gulf Shores (Gulf Place): 7 × 7 feet and 4 feet high. Orange Beach: up to 12 × 12 feet; anything over 7 feet wide or 4 feet high goes behind the Leave Only Footprints marker
Dunes
Keep off them; in Orange Beach use the walkovers and marked paths
Fires, grills and fireworks
Banned in both cities; Orange Beach also bans generators and lanterns
Music
Not audible beyond 30 feet at Gulf Place, 100 feet in Orange Beach
Sleeping
Not on Gulf Place from 10 pm to 6 am; no camping or sleeping in Orange Beach from 8 pm to 6 am
Drones
Gulf Place: not without FAA and city permission. Orange Beach: hobby drones banned
Sea turtles
Nesting season May 1 to October 31. In Orange Beach temporary lights must not be visible on the beach after 9 pm

Sources: Gulf Shores: beach rules, Leave Only Footprints, city code; Orange Beach: Leave Only Footprints, FAQ, code, chapter 30, drone use; Gulf State Park rules (PDF); Baldwin County resolution 2015-011 (PDF).

Common questions

Drinks, dogs and the flags

Can you drink on the beach?

In Orange Beach, on the city beaches, without glass. Not on the Gulf Shores public beach at any time, not on any Gulf Shores beach sand from March 1 to mid or late April, and never on the Gulf State Park beaches, which include Romar, Cotton Bayou, Alabama Point East and Shell Beach in Orange Beach.

Can you bring your dog?

Not onto the beach in either city or the state park. In Gulf Shores dogs may go to the Gulf Place area off the beach, and Bon Secour refuge bans pets entirely.

Where do I check today's flag?

Call 251-968-SURF in Gulf Shores or 251-981-SURF in Orange Beach, or text ALBEACHES to 888777. Under double red flags the water is closed: it's illegal to go in within either city, and it can mean a fine of up to $500 or jail. Flags and lifeguards.

Sources: Orange Beach FAQ, Gulf Shores beach rules, Gulf Shores beach safety, Orange Beach beach safety, Bon Secour.

Where to stay by area

Stay nearby

Hotels on the beach

These beachfront hotels sit between Gulf Place and Cotton Bayou.

Gulf Shores vacation rentals on Vrbo Orange Beach vacation rentals on Vrbo