Gulf State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gulf State Park |
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Westward beach vista at Gulf State Park
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 Gulf State Park
Location in Alabama
Gulf State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Gulf Shores, Baldwin, Alabama, United States |
| Area | 6,500 acres (26 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Established | 1939 |
| Operator | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Gulf State Park |
Gulf State Park is a fun place to visit on the Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It's located in southern Baldwin County, Alabama. This park covers about 6,500 acres (that's over 2,600 football fields!). Most of it is behind the beach town of Gulf Shores. It stretches between two main roads, Highway 59 and Highway 161.
Besides beautiful beaches, the park has different types of nature. You can find marshland, pine forests, and even streams with tea-colored water. There are also three fresh-water lakes fed by springs: Lake Shelby (which is huge at 750 acres), Middle Lake, and Little Lake. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages the park. Park rangers work all the time to keep everyone safe and make sure the park stays clean.
Contents
Park History
How the Park Was Built
The park's first buildings, like cabins and a casino, were built in the 1930s. This was during a tough time in history called the Great Depression. Young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build them. The CCC was a program created by the U.S. government to give people jobs.
The park officially opened in 1939. This happened after the land was given to the state of Alabama.
Rebuilding After Storms
Gulf State Park has faced many strong storms over the years. In 2004, a very powerful storm called Hurricane Ivan caused a lot of damage. After the hurricane, many new things were built or fixed.
- A long fishing pier was built into the Gulf of Mexico. It's 1,540 feet long and offers lots of space for fishing.
- A large swimming pool and splash pad were added.
- An interactive nature center was created for learning about the park's wildlife.
- A beach pavilion was built.
- The campground was updated and improved.
Park Improvements and Funding
In 2014, Alabama announced big plans to make the park even better. These plans included building a new lodge and meeting area. The money for these projects was planned to come from funds related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. These funds were meant to help coastal areas recover.
Some people felt that this money should only be used for cleaning up and improving the coast directly. They worried that building a lodge wasn't the best use of these funds. However, state officials explained that their plans were a good way to help the coastal area.
Awards and Recognition
Traveler's Choice Award
In September 2020, Gulf State Park received a special award. It was one of eleven Alabama State Parks to get Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award. This award is given to places that consistently get great reviews from visitors. It means many people who visited the park really enjoyed their time there!
Fun Things to Do and See
Beaches and Camping
The park has 2.5 miles of beautiful white sand beaches. You can enjoy swimming or just relaxing by the ocean. If you like camping, there's a modern campground. It has 496 spots for both RVs and tents. There are also 20 cabins and 11 cottages available for rent.
Fishing and Golf
You can go fishing in both the fresh-water lakes and the saltwater of the Gulf. For golf lovers, there's an 18-hole golf course. It also has a pro shop and a snack bar.
Other Adventures
If you're looking for more adventure, you can try the zip-line course. It opened in 2013. You can also rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore Lake Shelby. The park has many nature trails, perfect for hiking and exploring the different habitats.
