Gulf State Park is a 6150 acres (24.9 km²) state park

State park

State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...

 in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf Shores, Alabama

-External links:*...

 in southern Baldwin County

Baldwin County, Alabama

-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*85.7% White*9.4% Black*0.7% Native American*0.7% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.5% Two or more races*4.4% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...

. The park property mostly covers the land behind the Gulf Shores beach community, between Highway 59 and SH 161, but the west end extends further south to a wide beach area along the Gulf of Mexico

Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...

 (see photo at side). There are 3 fresh-water lakes within Gulf State Park: Lake Shelby (750 acres or 303.5 ha), Middle Lake and Little Lake.

History

Gulf State Park has weathered several hurricanes but was largely devastated by Hurricane Ivan

Hurricane Ivan

Hurricane Ivan was a large, long-lived, Cape Verde-type hurricane that caused widespread damage in the Caribbean and United States. The cyclone was the ninth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the fourth major hurricane of the active 2004 Atlantic hurricane season...

 in 2004. Major renovations are underway due to damage, and it is back up to full capacity as of 2010.

Amenities

The park includes 2.5 miles (4 km) of white sand beach

Beach

A beach is a geological landform along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake or river. It usually consists of loose particles which are often composed of rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles or cobblestones...

es along the Gulf, modern and primitive campgrounds, rental cottages, nature trails, golf, plus fresh/saltwater fishing or swimming. There are 496 campsites within the park's 29.9 square kilometres (11.5 sq mi). The modern campsites provide 50-amp

Ampere

The ampere , often shortened to amp, is the SI unit of electric current and is one of the seven SI base units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère , French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electrodynamics...

 electrical service, water, and the RV

Recreational vehicle

Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...

 sites feature sewer hook-ups. The park also contains an 18-hole championship golf course that is open seven days a week and includes a proshop and snack bar.

The park also has the longest fishing pier

Pier

A pier is a raised structure, including bridge and building supports and walkways, over water, typically supported by widely spread piles or pillars...

in the Gulf of Mexico (1544 feet or 470.6 m). Security is provided around the clock by Park Enforcement Rangers.

External links

• Alabama State Parks - Gulf State Park, at Alapark.com