Gulf State Park Weekend
October 6–8, 2023
Gulf State Park's bike trails have always been a great ride, but they're even better now with money from the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill that funded trail improvements and additions, rebuilt the Lodge, built bicycle/ped bridges over the highway to the beaches, and added restaurants. We visited the Park on the Sunday of our first ever weekend ride in 2011, but this time we'll devote the whole weekend to this great place.
USA Today recently named the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail the Best Recreational Trail in the country for 2023.
You're spoiled for choice at the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail complex, which offers 27 trails across nine different ecosystems. You can trek through wildflowers and tall pines on the Rosemary Dunes trail, take in the views from the overlook on the Gulf Oak Ridge trail, and enjoy the abundance of complex amenities, like the Butterfly Garden and the Pavilion.
The Park includes about 30 miles of bike trails, several restaurants, a lodge, fishing pier, bike/pedestrian bridges connecting the bike trails to the beach, nature center, interpretive center, beaches, and other amenities. The trails are flat. Ride share bikes are available for anyone without their own bike.
Our Weekend Itinerary
Friday evening
Gather in Gulf Shores, about four hours drive from Auburn/Opelika. In the evening, meet up at a restaurant for grub and grog, tall tales, and planning for the weekend.
Saturday
Ride the Park, visit the beaches, fishing pier, nature centers, etc. Several restaurants to choose from in the Park and outside in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In the evening, we'll meet up at a restaurant for grub and grog, tall tales, etc.
Sunday
Check out of the hotel and continue exploring the Park by bike. Lunch together for those who like. Travel home in the afternoon/evening.
Lodging
Our Second Sunday Ride Headquarters is the fabulous Quality Inn Gulf Shores.
213 W. Fort Morgan Rd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
The Quality Inn is less than a mile from the Park. An off-road bike path connects the Inn to the Park. The Inn is across the street from a shopping center and is the only hotel I know with a Pedersen bike hanging in the lobby.
More information:
Gulf State Park – https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park
USA Today's Ten Best Recreation Trails in the U.S. – https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-recreational-trail/
Gulf State Park Map – gulf_state_park_map_2022.png
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Vacation Guide – https://www.gulfshores.com/plan/vacation-guide/
Dining, etc.
Gulf State Park Restaurants – https://lodgeatgulfstatepark.com/eat-drink/
Big Beach Brewing – https://www.bigbeachbrewing.com/
October 6–8, 2023
Gulf State Park's bike trails have always been a great ride, but they're even better now with money from the 2010 Deep Water Horizon oil spill that funded trail improvements and additions, rebuilt the Lodge, built bicycle/ped bridges over the highway to the beaches, and added restaurants. We visited the Park on the Sunday of our first ever weekend ride in 2011, but this time we'll devote the whole weekend to this great place.
USA Today recently named the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail the Best Recreational Trail in the country for 2023.
You're spoiled for choice at the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail complex, which offers 27 trails across nine different ecosystems. You can trek through wildflowers and tall pines on the Rosemary Dunes trail, take in the views from the overlook on the Gulf Oak Ridge trail, and enjoy the abundance of complex amenities, like the Butterfly Garden and the Pavilion.
The Park includes about 30 miles of bike trails, several restaurants, a lodge, fishing pier, bike/pedestrian bridges connecting the bike trails to the beach, nature center, interpretive center, beaches, and other amenities. The trails are flat. Ride share bikes are available for anyone without their own bike.
Our Weekend Itinerary
Friday evening
Gather in Gulf Shores, about four hours drive from Auburn/Opelika. In the evening, meet up at a restaurant for grub and grog, tall tales, and planning for the weekend.
Saturday
Ride the Park, visit the beaches, fishing pier, nature centers, etc. Several restaurants to choose from in the Park and outside in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In the evening, we'll meet up at a restaurant for grub and grog, tall tales, etc.
Sunday
Check out of the hotel and continue exploring the Park by bike. Lunch together for those who like. Travel home in the afternoon/evening.
Lodging
Our Second Sunday Ride Headquarters is the fabulous Quality Inn Gulf Shores.
213 W. Fort Morgan Rd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
The Quality Inn is less than a mile from the Park. An off-road bike path connects the Inn to the Park. The Inn is across the street from a shopping center and is the only hotel I know with a Pedersen bike hanging in the lobby.
More information:
Gulf State Park – https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park
USA Today's Ten Best Recreation Trails in the U.S. – https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-recreational-trail/
Gulf State Park Map – gulf_state_park_map_2022.png
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Vacation Guide – https://www.gulfshores.com/plan/vacation-guide/
Dining, etc.
Gulf State Park Restaurants – https://lodgeatgulfstatepark.com/eat-drink/
- Woodside Restaurant – https://woodsideatgsp.com/
- Perch – https://perchgsp.com/
- Woodcraft – https://foodcraftgsp.com/
Big Beach Brewing – https://www.bigbeachbrewing.com/