Gulf State Park Campground

Large campground. Not near the beach. Seems to be decently maintained. Bathrooms were updated and clean. Campground not near the park restaurants . Would be a long walk to get to them. Decent hookups. Beware of the ants!!!!!! The whole campground is infested with stinging ants. There are ant piles all over the campsites. I was stung really bad after accidentally getting near an ant hill. They are really bad!!!! Almost had to go to the ER.

If it didn’t have the Gulf weather and bugs and or for that matter, the campers, this would be a five star campground. I sit here writing this review at the pool. I opened my book to read and the lady next to me brought out her Bluetooth speaker to blast music. Last night, a family chowed down on a can of pringles in the pool. Trash everywhere at the fishing docks. My husband went to put our wash in the dryer last night and dryers were filled with abandoned clothing. People have bicycles with horns.

We did make the mistake of coming here during one of the busiest weeks of July, but that doesn’t mean that every campsite should be littered with crazy amounts of gear, despite it being so obviously oppressively hot and muggy that much of it seems unusable. I want to reiterate: the weather is vile but I still can’t imagine bringing fans to plug in OUTSIDE of my camper. The campers next to us have a large trailer, camper bus, a large truck and a golf cart. In one spot. That doesn’t include the bikes, the chairs, the tents, etc.

The actual campsites and facilities are nice. Individual campsites are spacious and level and come with a grill and picnic table. Some site locations are much better situated than others (I would never want to camp along Campground Road - it’s insanely busy with cars and bicycles). It’s great to have a large pool w backside, clean and fairly large laundry facilities, a camp store and an exceptional network of bike trails. There is also a very awesome nature center, several playgrounds, pickleball courts, a boat ramp, and free bicycle rentals! There is ten bathhouses and while only three bathroom and shower stalls each seemed insufficient to me there wasn’t anyone in the bathhouses any time I utilized them. They were super clean and in reasonable proximity to all of the sites in the loop.

The campground, which is massive (500 plus sites) consists of several loops, and is smack dab in the middle of the State Park. Campers get free parking at several beaches in the Park, which we utilized (beach was pretty quiet in the morning). I thought that was a great perk. We didn’t get to bike much between the heat and rain but the trail system looks amazing and there were plenty of staged opportunities for both free and paid bike rentals.

The campground is located right smack dab in between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, which is ideal if you want to go play some miniature golf or grab a bite to eat.

I think coming off season is probably the best bet - we honestly didn’t even feel like we were in nature when we came and it was so darn humid I didn’t really want to nature anyway! I think the campground would benefit from allowing less vehicles at each spot - from my vantage point, I’m literally staring out at nine trucks for maybe three campers.

We stayed at spot 448. It was a pull through spot with a good amount of morning and late afternoon shade. Site was somewhat level, maybe about.75” lean on one side. Bathrooms were relatively close, but there was a lack of stalls for how many campsites there are. There is a lack of places to throw trash and the dumpsters are all the way back at the front of the park, it’s quite a drive. Not a lot of street lights throughout the campground made things nice and quiet at night. It was very nice that almost every spot had full hookups. The site had decent Verizon cell service, around 10-20 mbps. The Tmobile service was around the same. Service seemed to be better the closer to the main road you were in the park. The biking trails were amazing, very wide, with a good amount of shade. Lots of activities to do around the park besides the beach. You can walk or bike to the beach, although it's around 2 miles depending on where your spot is. Your parking pass for the campground also provides free parking at various beaches around the park. It’s only about a 15 minute drive to either gulf shores or orange beach for even more things to do. Overall the campground was clean, relatively quiet, right next to the beach, with a ton of activities. Negatives would be how expensive it is, lack of bathroom stalls, and since the park is so massive, it takes a while to get everywhere.

Clean restrooms and nice clean showers,nice big pool,beach nearby

Check~in was a breeze, nice people in the office. Site was easy to back in and very clean.

Awesome state park with incredible facilities. We had reserved a campsite for our camper van, with my elderly parents renting a cabin at lakeside eagle cabins (also part of state park). It wasn’t a feasible option to walk between the two on a regular basis, so we ended up staying with them in their cabin so we could be together. It was phenomenal. New, modern, three bedroom cabin with awesome screen porch. Campground was clean and nice too. Good hiking trails in the park. We would return!

This is a beautiful state park with lots to do for the kiddos. They have nature trails, a swimming pool, tennis courts, shuffle board and a nature center where you can learn about local wildlife. There are several lakes for fishing. The beach is across the highway from the park, so you have to drive or take the shuttle service - there is a shuttle that runs throughout the park. It is a large park and very spread out. Tons of bathhouses - We did not use so can’t comment on the status. We did see alligators on the nature walk. Super cool. Most of the sites do not have shade, just fyi. the beach had one of those rollout handicap mats so you could get your wheelchair closer to the water. LOVED that!!

These campgrounds areamazing. We have full hookups, wifi, activity center with pool, tennis courts, horseshoes and volleyball. Great hiking and biking trails.

What can I say?  Gulf State Park is the one by which all other parks in the region (NW Florida/Alabama) are to be compared.  Everything you want: Hiking, BIKING, access to the beach, fishing, etc.  Many sites have shade and a degree of seclusion.  28 or so paved bicycle trails, great Wifi, etc.

Only caveat:  Good luck trying to book a site.  Takes a pro, or a bot or something.  It's rightfully popular.

This was our first visit to Gulf Shores State Park in Alabama.  The check in was as slow as molasses even though they had lots of staff, mostly standing.  Waited in line for 45 minutes with one person ahead of us taking her sweet time to book a future campsite.  Our site was nice, spacious with privacy.  We were worried about the alligators and snakes so kept pups on a short leash.

The beach was beautiful, with sandy white shores and lots of shells.  However, if you have dogs, it's a no-go so they have to stay back at the camp.  They do have a lovely dog park, right on the lake where dogs can run and swim, but the 'do not feed alligators' was a concern.  Locals said they had never seen one in 15 years... so not sure and not sure I want my dog to be the exception.

We enjoyed the friendly, southern hospitality of the town and would definitely return.  I would investigate other dog friendly places in the area.

This is a great place to camp. We have been here several times. It is always clean, the bathrooms are now all repaired from hurricane damage, there are hiking and biking trails and occasionally wildlife. It is s huge park right on the gulf. They have a fishing pier that is currently closed to finish rebuilding after it was destroyed by a hurricane s few years back. The beach is large, but not dog friendly. There us a dog friendly beach a few miles away in Fort Morgan. Several bathrooms/ showers throughout the park. Sites are large and level. Most Ruth full hookups. There are a few primitive tent sites.

PROS 

Quiet 

Minimal streetlights 

Site 435 level 

Asphalt parking pad is extended as an area for the picnic table 

Pedestal BBQ in good condition and free of ash upon arrival 

Moveable metal and wooden picnic table 

Super clean climate controlled bathhouses 

Very nice, large, park laundromat with coin changing machine. Detergent sold at camp store. 

Recycling available at dump station 

Super bike trails 

Good park WiFi 

TMobile 3 bars 

CONS 

No senior or vet discount 

15.25% resort fee charged 

15% sales tax charged

$5 reservation fee charged 

Site 425 no shade - we were HOT in January! 

No info provided that state park does not provide campfire rings. Campfires are permitted but you must bring your own campfire ring/pit 

Picnic table top rotted leaving large holes and unuseable

Two roll-off compactors for the campground located at the dump station near the entrance/exit. If you are not camping in that area you are in for a hike.

Best kayaking in the area in the lake and walking distance from the beach. I’ll always keep coming back here

Great park with many bike trails and a shuttle to the beach. Lots to do in the area.

Lots of great trails and boardwalks for walking, hiking, and biking. Most sites were “enough room” but, some were tight.

Watch out for the fire ants!

The beach was amazing but, you’ll probably want to drive as the boardwalks are far from most sites.

Loved this campground. Paved roads and campsites, large very clean bathrooms and showers, Camp store, pickle ball/tennis courts, huge heated pool and splash park. Boardwalk trails and you can even take one to the beach. Bike rentals, laundry. It has it all!

This has got to be one of the nicest, cleanest, and well thought out campground I’ve been too. It is also HUGE, so there are many different site types, but ours was a pull-thru full hookup site. It was an interesting design: you pull off on a little loop parallel to the road and you face away from the road. We really liked it. It was paved with a pad, a grill, and a table. No fire ring, community rings are located throughout the campground. You are never far from a trail that connects you to all of the state park. There are also miles of boardwalk. Bikes are almost a must here to truly see those park, luckily a free bike share is provided. It was a great place!

Level sites, full hook ups, clean & neat.

Awesome bike paths with beautiful scenery. The beach, marshlands and pretty much anywhere else within the park. Woodside Restaurant had a great breakfast.

Beautiful park along the gulf coast and one of the few beach options in Alabama. They have really nice RV and tent camping that has easy access to the gulf as well as tons of walking and biking trails. The campground also has an incredible nature center with so many amazing animals. If you are feeling up for a little adventure you can stay at the backcountry campground accessible via bikes or walking.

Such a great area, with so much to do. Many areas for learning, along with a free tram to visit all areas of the state park. Pier and other areas are free if a campground guest. Laundry facilities are huge and well worth the 40$ a night full hook up price. Our site is so beautiful right on the canal.

Great park. Great park wifi when we hadn't inadvertently turned off at our power box. Amazing trails. People drive too fast in the park, including park employees. Pool was "heated" to 60 degrees when we visited.

Nice restaurant on site. Nice facilities. Cool trails. It was a lot of fun. Definitely do it again.

Gulf State Park is hands-down one of the best places we've ever camped! Because of it's popularity, it is a little hard to get a space for an extended period of time, so try to plan ahead when reserving a spot!

Gulf Shores Alabama Gulf State Park Current camping spot on the canal. Ours is a nice pull thru with electric and water. Almost 500 sites here from tent to big rig friendly. Spacious sites, some with foliage, some with Lake or canal views. Grills but no fire pits. There are a few community pits. Right now there's a shortage of usable bath houses because of hurricane damage repairs still in progress. Good local TV, and cell service. Close to stores and dining. Free access to adjacent pier. Great coastal access. Free use of bikes. Lots of great paved and boardwalk trails. Gators, snakes, armadillos and birds reside here.

Campground was full so we were lucky to find a spot. Many restrooms were closed for renovation but there were others. Full hookups. Long haul to the beach but boardwalks and parking were available.

We stayed here a week for the Thanksgiving holiday. Definitely a lot of snowbirds here already. Top notch state park. The paved bike trails are phenomenal. Miles and miles of paved trails and wooden boardwalks to explore for hours. Very large campground. Very well kept and maintained. Lots of staff throughout the CG. All sites are paved and have electric, water and sewer. The beach is a good bike ride or short drive away. Beautiful sandy beaches. Firewood is $7.50/bundle. My only complaint is our site (and most) don’t have a traditional fire ring. Not sure what you’d call it, but our site had more of a raised fire/grilling setup. Picture included. Overall…very nice park and CG.

I stay here every time we visit. The staff is wonderful and the park is stunning. It's wonderful to be able to bike right out onto the trails or the beach from your campsite and the price is amazing. I'm spoiled so I love being able to shower at the end of the day - there were even some froggy 🐸 friends enjoying the shower with me. Wifi is nice too. My only gripe is that I wish there were more primitive campsites, but the RV spots are fine for primitive camping as well.

Just a great place to visit...we'll maintained and large lots with full hookups and beautiful sunsets.

We've stayed here a month last year, and again this year. Book ahead would be my best recommendation! Our site is on a natural lake (with gators!) and walkable to the beach. Bike trails everywhere. Restaurant in the park with fire pits, entertainment. We only use our vehicle here for site seeing, otherwise we bike everywhere. Mobile, AL about an hours drive.