Coastal, Gulf Shores - Orange Beach Loop | Baldwin | Best Seasons: Fall | Spring | Winter
Wade Ward Nature Park is a 12 acre natural area, a rarity in the midst of such a vibrant resort city. It offers the birder scenic boardwalks overlooking canals and coastal salt marsh. It features a pavilion, benches and scenic boardwalks. The Nature Park provides ideal habitat for bitterns and rails. Even this close to the downtown commercial bustle, wildlife such otters, pelicans, and the occasional alligator can be seen hunting and fishing in its shallow water and wetlands.
Wade Ward Nature Park is located just two blocks north of Gulf Place, the main public beach. It is a public pedestrian access to a pocket of natural wetlands and waterways found in between the beach condominiums and commercial buildings in Gulf Shores.
From a comfortably dry, elevated boardwalk, you may enjoy beautiful views of the wetlands that connect Little Lagoon and Lake Shelby. Wildlife such otters, pelicans, and the occasional alligator can be seen hunting and fishing in its shallow water and wetlands.
The park can be accessed from a sidewalk on Highway 59 to a sidewalk with benches that line a narrow waterway including a small pavilion and deck overlooking the water. Nearby, a short boardwalk crosses the waterway and allows a view of the wetland area. Free public parking can be found just a short walk south one block walk on Highway 59 and then one block east on E. 1st St.
GPS: N30.25222 W-87.68882
Site Accessibility
Paved trails and an elevated boardwalk allow wheelchair access to much of this park.
If following directions provided in the Coastal Birding Trail booklet, return east on AL 182 to AL 59, turn left (north) and continue two blocks. On the right (east) is Wade Ward Nature Park, owned and operated by the City of Gulf Shores. Public parking is available just south, one block east of AL 59 between East Second and East First Avenue.
Amenities Available: Wheelchair Accessible
Nearby Sites
5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
5 Rivers sits on the banks of one of the canals that traverse the Mobile-Tensaw delta. The decks of the Delta Hall and the perimeter trail around the facility provide excellent vantage points to observe birds of the surrounding marsh and waterways. I …
Boggy Point
Boggy Point Boat Launch, an Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources facility, offers a small beach with an excellent view of Robinson Island, a roosting site for herons and egrets, to the east. Robinson Island offers important habita …
Bon Secour Bay
Bon Secour Bay is found on the eastern edge of Mobile Bay and provides a protected area for wintering waterfowl and seabirds. Scan the bay and the small canal for gulls and tern. Black-crowned Night-herons may be found roosting in the oaks scattered …
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge – Jeff Friend Trail
The Jeff Friend Trail is a one-mile loop to Little Lagoon. Habitats include maritime forest, freshwater marsh and open water along the north shore of Little Lagoon. A variety of species are possible-waterbirds, raptors, songbirds and other passerines …
Bon Secour NWR – Mobile Street
Mobile Street is a paved road leading to the beach, with a parking area for the one-mile (each way) Gator Lake Trail, which connects Mobile Street with the Pine Beach Trail. This narrow trail can be good for winter birding where you may see Blue-gray …
Bon Secour NWR – Pine Beach Trail
At the Pine Beach trailhead stands an interpretive kiosk with trail maps and bird lists. This is a two-mile trail (each way) southeastward to the beach by way of Little Lagoon and Gator Lake. The hike is an enjoyable walk through a variety of habitat …