Outdoor Activities in Gulf Shores

Outdoor Activities in Gulf Shores ~ Southern Vacation Rentals

With its mix of beautiful white sand beaches and miles of nature trails, Gulf Shores is an outdoor lover’s dream. Outdoor activities in Gulf Shores are plentiful, providing you the opportunity to bike, hike, kayak, or even sit and enjoy nature. The best part is that you can do virtually any of these activites at any time of year! Mild temperatures in the air and in the water make Gulf Shores the ideal vacation destination. You can participate in active adventures or relaxation; whatever you’re looking for, Gulf Shores has the fun! If you’re coming down for fall vacation in Gulf Shores, then you’ll definitely want to schedule these in! Read on for some of our favorite outdoor activities in Gulf Shores. Don’t forget to check out our Gulf Shores vacation rentals to start planning your fall vacation in Gulf Shores!

Biking

Biking in Gulf Shores can be an incredibly relaxing activity! Gulf State Park is one of our favorite bike trails in Gulf Shores, with over 6,000 protected acres of untouched land to bike across. The Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail stretches 25 miles of pathways through the park, taking cyclists from Orange Beach to Gulf Shores. This is truly an all-day activity!

Hiking

Nature lovers rejoice – there are many popular hiking trails in Gulf Shores, including Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Bon Secour, or “Safe Harbor,” is a natural oasis of wildlands, with native flora, funa, and birds throughout the area. It’s an important stopover for migrating songbirds, so if you love to birdwatch, Bon Secour is the place to do it! When you hike through Bon Secour, you’re likely to see a range of wildlife, from the Alabama beach mouse to nesting loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. Just be sure to not disturb the sea turtle nests!

Kayaking

Cypress swamps, freshwater lakes, and more await you when you venture out onto Coastal Alabama’s waters. Whether by kayak, canoe, or even stand-up paddleboard, seeing the water from a new perspective can be quite the adventure. You’ll definitely want to explore the Back Bay Blueway, with four trails – Fort Morgan Trail, Little Lagoon Trail, Gulf State Park Trail, and Orange Beach Trail – and 21 launch sites. These trails will take you through the waterways surrounding Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan. Little Lagoon Trail has three kayak launches conveniently located near some of our Gulf Shores vacation rentals. Stay at Gone Coastal or Island Time Cottage, both at Cottages at Lagoon Pass.

Nature Parks

If you’re looking to simply reconnect with nature, Gulf Shores is teeming with nature parks for you to simply stroll and take in the tranquil area. Check out the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier in Gulf Shores, the largest pier on the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama’s only public pier. It’s 1,540 feet long, 20 feet wide, and offers 2,448 feet of fishing space. Be sure to take advantage of the covered seating, concessions, and indoor retail shop. It’s also an education pier, with signs along the pier that share information on native fish, birds, and other area wildlife.