Alabama's Coastal Connection Scenic Byway
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Explore nature, history, and adventure along Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway, stretching more than 130 miles along the Gulf of Mexico. The byway connects many scenic coastal towns, including Bayou La Batre, Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, Elberta, Foley, Magnolia Springs, Fairhope, and Daphne. There's even an audio tour to enhance your explorations and provide interesting facts along the way.
Parks & Trails
One major highlight of the byway is Gulf State Park. The park's 6,000 acres of pristine coastline and wildlife refuge include more than 28 miles of paved hiking, biking, and birding paths along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. You might spy a white-tailed deer grazing on foliage or spot an alligator basking in the sun. There are three learning centers within the park for visitors to learn more about ecotourism, preservation, and the park's wildlife. These locations offer hands-on experiences, learning opportunities and programs, and guided nature, beach, and pier walks. If you're looking to cast your line, the fishing opportunities are abundant at Gulf State Park, with 900 acres of scenic freshwater lakes and the second-largest pier on the Gulf. At the park's center is Lake Shelby, which is perfect for swimming, fishing, boating, and kayaking.
Paddle through Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge for an up-close look at colorful migratory birds and natural shorelines. You'll find multiple trails that allow visitors to explore the various ecosystems throughout the refuge, many featuring boat launches for canoes, kayaks, and boats with electric motors. While out on the water, you might even spot some playful dolphins popping up to say hello.
Museums & Historic Sites
Explore the history of Orange Beach at the Orange Beach History Museum and learn about our local Indian heritage, visit the original schoolhouse, browse through artifacts from the Civil War and learn how the shrimping industry got its start.
A visit to the Gulf Shores Museum will allow you to discover the city's beginnings as a fishing town as well as its resilience during decades of hurricanes. The museum itself sits inside a quaint beach cottage that dates back to World War II.
At Historic Fort Morgan, brush up on your Civil War history and admire breathtaking views of the Gulf. Here, you'll learn about the significant role this masonry fort played during wartime and get a first-hand look at its evolution and adaptations throughout the years. While visiting Fort Morgan, you can also enjoy the area's natural beauty with the trails, bird-watching spots, and beaches nearby.
Aquatic Adventures
A short ferry ride across Mobile Bay puts you steps away from the Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the fourth largest estuary system in the country. Enjoy the educational and informative exhibit hall, the stingray touch pool, and the scenic living marsh boardwalk while learning about the more than 100 species of plants and animals on display. At the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, you can stroll 137 acres of forest, marsh, and dune habitats, home to various species of native and migrating birds.
Plan Your Trip
Discover our coast's natural beauty and rich history along Alabama's Coastal Connection Scenic Byway. With so many opportunities to connect with the environment and learn about the area, you won't want to miss out on visiting these great spots along Alabama's Beaches. Whether you're looking to bike, hike, learn, kayak, or just explore, you'll find plenty of adventure on Alabama's Coastal Connection Scenic Byway.
