Walk & Bike · Guide
Backcountry Trail Guide
More than 28 paved miles wind through dunes, pine forest, marsh and lakeshore between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, open dawn to dusk year-round.
Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is a network of more than 28 miles of paved, multi-use trails across Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, open from dawn to dusk every day. It suits an easy walk, a family bike ride or a half-day loop past lakes, dunes, pine forest and swamp.
Trail basics
The trail system began in 2003 and was designated a National Recreation Trail in 2010. It is named for Hugh Branyon, the long-time Gulf State Park superintendent who managed the park from 1970 until his retirement in 2009. Exact figures vary by source: Alabama State Parks lists 29 miles of paved trails and boardwalks, the trail's own site describes 18 connected trails, and the City of Orange Beach counts more trail segments inside the same 28-plus-mile system. Use the official map rather than any single number when planning a route.
Named trails inside the park include Gulf Oak Ridge (3 miles), Rosemary Dunes (2.1 miles) and Gopher Tortoise (1.5 miles), along with Twin Bridges and Eagle's Loop. The trails are paved, suitable for hikers and cyclists, and described by the state park as ADA-accessible. The trail's own site counts seven distinct ecosystems, including coastal pine forest, freshwater marsh, dunes, wetlands and coastal hardwood swamp, and visitors may see migratory birds, butterflies, alligators, otters, deer and other native wildlife.
Access, parking and bikes
Several trailheads with parking ring the park. In Orange Beach, the city lists these:
- Catman Road: 3801 Orange Beach Boulevard (Hwy. 161)
- Cotton Bayou: 3400 Orange Beach Boulevard (Hwy. 161, near the water tower)
- Rattlesnake Ridge: 4060 Orange Beach Boulevard (Hwy. 161)
- Rosemary Dunes: 24037 Perdido Beach Boulevard
- Sportsplex: 4385 William Silvers Parkway
On the Gulf Shores side, trailheads inside Gulf State Park, such as Eagle's Loop and Gulf Oak Ridge, give access to the western trails. Free digital trail maps are available through the trail's website and app.
Gulf State Park runs a bike-share program with stations at spots such as the beach pavilion, the Eagle's Loop and Gulf Oak Ridge trailheads; riders unlock bikes through an app, and the first three hours have been free, with a fee after that. Terms and station locations can change, so confirm on the Alabama State Parks website before counting on a bike.
Rules and safety
The trail is for non-motorized use. Golf carts, class 3 e-bikes and scooters are prohibited, the speed limit is 10 mph and road training is not allowed. Pets must stay on a leash, and smoking and fires are banned. Do not feed, handle or harass wildlife, and keep your distance from alligators and snakes near the lakes and marshes.
Summer on the coast is hot and humid, and much of the trail runs through open dunes and marsh edges with little shade. Start early in the morning or late in the afternoon, carry water, and watch for afternoon thunderstorms; head for shelter at the first thunder. Hours, rules and bike-share terms are set by the park and the cities, so check alapark.com and the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores city sites before you go.
General information, checked against the sources below at the time of writing. Rules, fees, schedules and programs change; confirm with the official source before you rely on them.
