The nature center at Gulf State Park
Things to do

Parks and trails in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail runs more than 28 paved miles through Gulf State Park and Orange Beach, open every day from dawn to dusk. You can borrow a bike for free. West of town, the Bon Secour refuge has free walking trails and a beach. In Orange Beach, the waterfront park, arts center glass studio and history museum are all on or near Canal Road, and most of them are free.

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The Backcountry Trail
Checked November 2, 202628+ miles of trailMostly free

Gulf State Park, Alabama · Photo: Farrargirl / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Credits

Backcountry Trail

The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail

Paved, with a 10 mph limit for bikes inside the state park and 12 mph on the Orange Beach sections. People on foot always have the right of way. Start at any of the five Orange Beach trailheads or from inside Gulf State Park.

Backcountry Trail trailheads
TrailheadAddress
Cotton Bayou3400 Orange Beach Blvd, Orange Beach
Catman Road3801 Orange Beach Blvd, Orange Beach
Rattlesnake Ridge4060 Orange Beach Blvd, Orange Beach
Rosemary Dunes24037 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach
Sportsplex4385 William Silvers Pkwy, Orange Beach

Sources: City of Orange Beach: Backcountry Trail, Gulf State Park trails, Orange Beach micromobility rules (September 9, 2026).

Length
More than 28 miles of paved trails in 26 sections, through 9 ecosystems on 6,180 acres
Open
365 days a year, daylight only
Speed limit, Gulf State Park sections
10 mph
Speed limit, Orange Beach sections
12 mph since September 9, 2026; slow to 10 mph or less within 50 feet of someone walking, and warn before you pass
Helmets
Required for riders and passengers under 16 on the Orange Beach sections
Not allowed
Golf carts, Class 3 e-bikes, scooters, fires and smoking in the park; high-powered e-motos anywhere on the trail
Dogs
On a leash
Wildlife
Don't feed, touch or disturb it
Free bikes
Bikeshare at The Lodge and around Gulf State Park, free

See it on a Segway

A guided Segway tour through Gulf State Park. Price and rating checked on November 3, 2026.

Segway eco tour in Gulf State Park
Photo: Ike's Beach Service via Viator

Ike's Beach Service

Gulf State Park Segway Eco Tour

2 h 15 min

Roll through the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail with a guide who shows you the park's habitats and wildlife, without a long walk.

Kids 12 and up can ride, and anyone who finds long walks hard still gets deep into the park.

  • Guided tour, helmet included
  • Several tour times a day, weather permitting
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Meets: Ike's check-in counter; park in the free lot and follow the signs
  • Ages 12 and up

4.9 · 22 reviews on Viator

From $93.50 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Nature areas

Refuge, nature center and preserves

Bon Secour is the wildest of these: a federal refuge on the Fort Morgan road with walking trails and a Gulf beach.

  • Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge

    Where12295 State Highway 180, Fort Morgan PeninsulaHours and feesFree; trails and beach sunrise to sunset; visitor station Mon–Fri 9 am–1 pm

    Good to know: No pets (service dogs excepted), no bikes on trails; the Centennial boardwalks are closed for safety, the trail up to them is open from both sides. 251-540-7720

  • Gulf State Park Nature Center

    Where22120 Campground Road, Orange BeachHours and feesFree; Mon–Sat 9 am–4 pm; day visitors pay $5 per car at the campground entrance

  • Lake Shelby picnic area

    WhereState Park Road, Gulf State ParkHours and feesDawn to duskGood to knowLeashed dogs allowed; Dog Pond next to it; no jet skis on the lake

  • Graham Creek Nature Preserve

    Where23030 Wolf Bay Drive, FoleyHours and feesCity of Foley nature preserveGood to know650 acres: trails, canoe and kayak launch, disc golf, playgrounds, archery park. 251-923-4267

  • Wade Ward Nature Park

    WhereFootpath off Highway 59, two blocks north of Gulf PlaceHours and feesCity of Gulf Shores nature parkGood to knowA short walk from the main public beach

  • Meyer Park

    Where400 East 22nd Avenue, Gulf ShoresHours and feesCity parkGood to knowCity park with a pavilion

Sources: Bon Secour refuge, Gulf State Park Nature Center, Lake Shelby, Foley nature parks, Wade Ward Nature Park, Meyer Park.

Gulf State Park

Town parks and museums

Canal Road and downtown Foley

The Orange Beach ones sit close together on Canal Road. Foley's two museums are on Laurel Avenue downtown.

  • Orange Beach Waterfront Park and Kids Park

    Address26425 Canal RoadHoursOpen all year except the Festival of Art weekend in March; playground closed a few morning hours on the first Monday of the monthGood to know400-ft pier, picnic shelters with grills, restrooms

  • Coastal Arts Center

    Address26389 Canal RoadHoursGallery Mon–Fri 9 am–4 pm, closed weekendsGood to know10,000 sq ft gallery; glass and clay classes by appointment. 251-981-2787

  • Hot Shop (glassblowing)

    Address26389 Canal RoadHoursFree demos Mon–Fri; make-your-own Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri at 9:30 amGood to knowMake-your-own $110, ages 8+, closed shoes; private hour $225 after the class; pick up your glass after 24 hours

  • Orange Beach History Museum

    Address25805 John Snook DriveHoursMon–Fri 9 am–4 pm all year; closed most holidays and the Christmas and New Year weeksGood to knowFree; restrooms

  • Foley Depot Museum and model trains

    Address125 E Laurel Ave, FoleyHoursMuseum Mon–Sat 10 am–3 pm; model trains Tue, Thu, Sat 10 am–3 pm

  • Holmes Medical Museum

    Address111 W Laurel Ave, FoleyHoursMon–Sat 10 am–3 pm

Sources: Waterfront Park, Coastal Arts Center, Hot Shop, Orange Beach History Museum, Foley Depot Museum, Holmes Medical Museum.

Rainy day ideas

Stay nearby

Stay by the Backcountry Trail

Right on or a short ride from the trail.

  • The Lodge at Gulf State Park

    Gulf State Park

    The Lodge at Gulf State Park

    The only hotel inside Gulf State Park, with two boardwalks to the sand and no resort fee. Check-in is 25+ and self-parking is $15 a day.

    Check prices
  • Hotel Indigo Orange Beach - Gulf Shores

    Orange Beach West

    Hotel Indigo Orange Beach - Gulf Shores

    Across the road from the beach in western Orange Beach, with a free beach shuttle on call. Check-in is 25+, and up to two dogs of 40 lb each stay for $75.

    Check prices
  • Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach

    Orange Beach West

    Hilton Garden Inn Orange Beach

    Directly on the beach in western Orange Beach, with a lazy river and a pool heated in winter.

    Check prices