We're going to share more that 10 free things to do on the Gulf shores Hugh S Branyon Back Country Trail trail today. You won’t believe all there is to do on this trail waiting for you and your family to discover and almost all of it is free. You can even borrow bikes from the park for free using the bloom bike share app. We’ll let you know where to find the alligators, the parkour course, hidden lake, and more. Let’s get started.

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Gulf State Park can be found at this website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-st... here you can find all you need to know about the park

Here are details on Fishing: https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-st...

dog park rules: https://alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-...

good site for geocaching apps: https://www.lifewire.com/best-geocach... We've had fun never paying for advanced features.

Campground Map from Alabama State Parks

We know most people go to the beach. But what if the weather is cold or there is a double red flag day? There are many trailheads with parking. The beach at Gulf State Park is one of the best we’ve been to. The main pavilion has a bike rack right at the beach access. There is a nominal parking fee that is waived if you are staying in the park at the lodge or campground. Full bathrooms are located here for your convenience as well as picnic tables and showers. From the beach, cyclists can head to the interpretive center before heading over 182 Alabama’s Coastal Connection on an awesome bridge. The interpretive center has hands-on experiences for a quick stop before heading into the park.

Shelby Lake has many activities for the whole family. Shelby Lake is just inside the shore near the fishing pier. There is a Boat Launch, Kayak Launch, and Kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals. Your brood will love the playground and picnic area. The playground here has large installations for all ages and a smaller toddler area for little ones who are ready to get active. Swimming is allowed in Shelby Lake. Restrooms are also available and there is a dog park and plenty of parking here, too.

Do you bike with your dogs? Dog Pond at Shelby Lake is reserved for canines.

The trail includes 28 miles of paved and boardwalk surface that allows access to the park.

Number 4 on our list is the fishing pier. Hurricane Sally did a number on the Fishing Pier. The pier is open for fishing. There is a nominal fee to visit the pier and it varies based on a few factors but less than $10 per person. Included on the pier is a gift, snack, and bait shop, beachside bar and grill, Fillet table, and modern bathrooms. On calm days you can see a variety of fish from the pier including sharks, rays, manatee, and game fish including mackerel, sheepshead, and flounder to name a few. The fishing pier has a large parking lot and bike racks to spend your day there.

Alligators can be found on the Bike trail.

Gulf State Park embraces geocaching and you can bike and hike with purpose throughout the park.

As you spend your day in the park you may get hungry. If you haven’t packed a lunch check out the Woodside Restaurant.

From Woodside Restaurant to Al’s Parkour challenge and Hidden Lake which we will talk about next is less than 5 miles.

About halfway to Al’s Parkour on the Gulf Oak Ridge Trail is a beautiful forest covered in Spanish Moss. Riding through this area is magical and worth the ride around the back side of the park.

There is a long route further east called Rattlesnake Ridge. This is for people who want to put miles in or are staying outside the park in Orange Beach. It can loop around after the Orange Beach City Hall to Catman Road using road 161 Alabama’s coastal connection for a brief time.

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The nature center gets good reviews and they always have something interesting to share about the reptiles, birds, fish, other wildlife, general habitat and conservations in the area.

Taking the other route going East on Catman Road will take you to the Butterfly Garden and Boulder Park.

Timecodes:

0:00 Gulf Shores
0:10 USA Today Best Trail
0:37 Beach @ Gulf State Park
1:57 Shelby Lake
3:49 Fishing Pier
4:53 Alligator Sightings
5:49 Geocaching
6:20 Woodside Restaurant
7:48 Al's Parkour Challenge
8:12 Hidden Lake
9:27 Park Hospitality Hub
10:15 Boulder Park/Butterfly Garden