Coastal, Gulf Shores - Orange Beach Loop | Baldwin | Best Seasons: Spring | Winter
The end of the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier is an excellent viewing point for seabirds, especially in winter. Previous Christmas Bird Counts have yielded Red Phalarope and all three scoters at this site, along with rafts of bay ducks. Northern Gannet is common offshore during the winter months. The new pier is the largest pier on the Gulf of Mexico at 1540 ft. long and 41,800 sq. ft. The pier boasts features that were not available on the old pier, destroyed in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan, such as indoor seating for concession area, indoor retail area for tackle and souvenirs, comfort stations at the midpoint of the pier and wheelchair accessible rail fishing.
You can expect Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderlings, Western Willet (in season), and a variety of gulls and terns.
GPS: N30.24996 W-87.66819
Gulf State Park Fishing Pier
20800 East Beach Blvd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Phone: 251-967-3474
Exit the picnic area to the left (south) and enter the right lane of AL 135. Proceed to AL 182 and drive straight across at the traffic light and into the fishing pier entrance. Use the parking area there, but try to avoid the places reserved for anglers. There is a small admission for sightseeing, including birding.
Amenities Available:
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