Gulf State Park Campground

What a great trail system! Tens of miles of paved trails rated easy. The restrooms and bathhouse are updated and clean. The park is well maintained and also has two restaurants. Lots of wildlife. We walk our dogs there every day but be aware of many bikes passing. There are many benches and swings to take a rest on. We always stop at the butterfly garden. There are strategically placed drinking fo... What a great trail system! Tens of miles of paved trails rated easy. The restrooms and bathhouse are updated and clean. The park is well maintained and also has two restaurants. Lots of wildlife. We walk our dogs there every day but be aware of many bikes passing. There are many benches and swings to take a rest on. We always stop at the butterfly garden. There are strategically placed drinking fountains.

Our Michigan based family of six stayed at the campground over Christmas break. We love to stay at state parks in Michigan and were hoping for a similar experience in Alabama. I’d say it was close to 80% retirees with very few children- which was fine for the most part. It did seem like tolerance for kids was about 50% with a general crankiness level. Some seemed to have a scowl on their faces whe... Our Michigan based family of six stayed at the campground over Christmas break. We love to stay at state parks in Michigan and were hoping for a similar experience in Alabama. I’d say it was close to 80% retirees with very few children- which was fine for the most part. It did seem like tolerance for kids was about 50% with a general crankiness level. Some seemed to have a scowl on their faces when we passed or said hello. The bike trails were great and the park was kept in great shape with its pickleball courts, and bath houses. The park beaches and beach facilities were beautiful, as well as the pier. The nature center was awesome. On our trip down to Alabama, we spoke with someone who mentioned the state parks had increased their prices not long ago. Probably a reflection of that- but all of the campers seemed to be in tip top shape. We booked this state park due to its heated pool. With kids ages 1, 3, 5 and 9, swimming is a huge part of our vacations. Upon arriving, the pool was 64 degrees. We figured this was due to cold nights, and several park staff members confirmed this on separate occasions. On our third or fourth day there, we finally spoke to a staff member who told us that a pipe had broken and the heater wasn’t working, apparently the plumber was not answering. My kids still took quick dips in the pool, but it did not last long because they were so cold. I’m not sure if it was lack of communication or transparency, but I would have appreciated knowing that the heater wasn’t working. I probably would have booked another campground, or moved us somewhere else. Of note, our campsite had multiple fire ant hills, which I realize are a part of life here. Giving a rating of 3/5 for the campground due to generally heightened crankiness level of campers, and lack of communication regarding the pool heater being broken.

This park is wonderful. The sites are spacious and easy to access. The campground was nearly full when we were there the second week in June, but it didn't feel overcrowded. Our site was in the middle of the campground, and this gave us easy access to the pool, the lake, and the beach. The entire area is extremely well maintained and clean. The bathhouse was updated, very clean, and plenty of... This park is wonderful. The sites are spacious and easy to access. The campground was nearly full when we were there the second week in June, but it didn't feel overcrowded. Our site was in the middle of the campground, and this gave us easy access to the pool, the lake, and the beach. The entire area is extremely well maintained and clean. The bathhouse was updated, very clean, and plenty of water pressure for a shower. We ended up adding an additional night, but we had to move sites as ours wasn't available. The campground manager allowed us to move to the new site as soon as the previous tenants left which gave us more time at the beach. The bike and walking paths and trails are beautiful, and our ride to the beach was less than 2 miles. This was our first beach trip in our camper, so the bar has been set pretty high for future trips.

We parked across the highway at the beach. It was $10 for the day. We walked across the pedestrian bridge that goes over the highway. That was pretty cool. Then there was a long elevated board walk that we traversed before crossing a bridge over the canal into the campground. Miles of cleared trails through wooded and marshy areas. Very nice place to visit, it was a cloudy rainy day in early March... We parked across the highway at the beach. It was $10 for the day. We walked across the pedestrian bridge that goes over the highway. That was pretty cool. Then there was a long elevated board walk that we traversed before crossing a bridge over the canal into the campground. Miles of cleared trails through wooded and marshy areas. Very nice place to visit, it was a cloudy rainy day in early March. I would love to go back during summer! Only real complaint was a lack of trash receptacles, even in the campground. I've heard this is a good place to see gators, and it is not uncommon to see venomous snakes.