State parks

Three real parks within easy reach. Each with its own personality. All worth knowing.

Perdido Key State Park (FL)

The day-use park on Perdido Key Drive, FL side. Beach access, boardwalks, picnic, restrooms, lifeguards during posted hours. The closest state park to the FL-side condos. Family-friendly, easy logistics, modest entry fee.

Big Lagoon State Park (FL)

Inland a few miles, on the bay side of Innerarity. Nature trails, observation tower, the protected lagoon for paddling, camping. Different from a beach park — wooded, quieter, full of birds. Great rangers programs. If your kids like nature more than waves, this is the better day.

Gulf State Park (AL)

The big one. 6,000+ acres straddling the bay-side and Gulf-side at Gulf Shores. Beaches, the famous pier, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail (28 paved miles, hike or bike), pools, freshwater Lake Shelby, the Gulf State Park Lodge, campground. You could spend three days here and not see all of it.

The Backcountry Trail in particular is one of the more underrated assets on the Gulf Coast. Paved, mostly flat, shaded sections, multiple access points. Bring bikes or rent at the park.

Gulf Islands National Seashore — Perdido Key Area (FL, NPS)

Federal land — not technically a state park but the closest thing for our purposes. Johnson Beach is the western unit, accessed from Perdido Key Drive. Undeveloped barrier island, no condos, no commercial. Hike. Pack out what you pack in. More on the area →

Park fees

All four charge entry fees. Annual passes pay back fast if you're here multiple times a year. The America the Beautiful pass covers the NPS unit (Gulf Islands).