Dog-friendly Adventure in the State Parks: Gulf State Park (AL)

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If you want a beach destination with a fancy lakeside cabin or cottage, you can’t go wrong with Gulf State Park.

Gulf State Park provides a fantastic, if pricey, cottage experience. It may not be classic CCC styling, but I think we can forgive them for that. It’s hard to be mad when you’re sitting on your screened porch, petting your dogs and sipping coffee while watching eagles fly over the water.
Gulf State Park in Alabama has dog-friendly cabins and cottages.
It’s not the cheapest dog-friendly option you’ll find. But if you like the gulf coast, you can’t beat this location. And it would be mighty difficult to beat these cottages.

Gulf State Park   

One of the gems of Alabama’s State Parks, Gulf State Park is located in Gulf Shores and includes stretches of white sand beaches, freshwater lakes, and pine forests.

There are multi-use paths throughout the Park, making it easy to explore by foot or bicycle.

The Area

Gulf State Park is just east of Gulf Shores on Alabama’s coast. It’s not too far from Florida, an easy hour or so from Pensacola’s
airport. It’s also an easy drive down from the airport in Mobile, only a bit more than an hour away.

Gulf Shores isn’t too far off I-10 to be a road trip destination as part of a Gulf Coast itinerary – and it’s neighbor, Orange Beach, is more advisable for those who like things a little less touristy but still very local. It’s only a few hours from New Orleans or, in the opposite direction, you’ll find many of the Florida panhandle’s beach destinations.  But you’ll like Orange Beach more than those Florida places!

Local wildlife is likely to include pelicans, bald eagles, American alligators, and lunch-stealing gulls. Watch out.

Accommodations

Gulf State Park has multiple lodging options – campgrounds, cabins, cottages, and even a Hilton hotel.

Camping

The budget-friendly option here is camping, of course.

The campground here hosts almost 500 sites for a variety of users. There are primitive sites, RV sites, and even a few glamping sites. It has full bathhouses and electric, along with a playground and swimming pool.

The campground can be booked through the State Park website.

The Lodge

Surprisingly, the hotel option at GSP doesn’t have to break a budget. The Lodge (a Hilton property) can have some nice off-peak rates. And since it’s a Hilton property, an award booking with Hilton points is also an option.

One great thing about The Lodge is the variety of room types. They’ve got the stand king/double queen options. But for people traveling with families or groups, there are actually rooms with bunk beds.

The Lodge also has 4 restaurants, access to GSP trails, and shuttle service to other areas of the Park. And the Gulf Pier is next door, just a short walk from the hotel.

This is also the only GSP lodging option that has beach access. Although, to be fair, you can easily reach the beach from any accommodation with a short drive or bike ride. From The Lodge, you can access the beach directly from the property, including a beach access boardwalk directly connected to the restaurants and meeting space.

The Lodge can be booked through Hilton.

Finding Your Dog-Friendly Cabin

The great part about booking a pet-friendly cabin at Gulf State Park is that ALL the cabins and cottages are pet-friendly. It can’t be easier than that! For any booking, you’d pay an additional $175 to bring your dog, and you can bring up to two dogs for any stay.  It’s not a small fee, but it feels fair if you’re staying for more than a few days.

First, cabins and cottages are managed outside by a concessionaire, so let’s skip the State Parks page and go directly to the source.

The Cottages

The Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park are pricey but lovely. These are all lakeside, 3bd/3ba cottages. They’re fully furnished, with full kitchens and free breakfasts including each day of your stay. There are also bikes provided to ride on park trails, free parking at other GSP properties, and access to the Gulf State Park Pier.

Each cottage has one bedroom with its own enclosed deck, which is a perfect way to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee while watching birds fly over the lake. There’s another enclosed deck available off the living area, so any guest can relax, bug-free.

These cottages are really just awesome. If you can afford them (or even a lakeside cabin), then do the thing.

Note: Each bedroom has its own private bathroom, so it’s possible for 3 couples (or friends. or coworkers. or just introverts looking for alone time) to stay here with some amount of privacy while keeping costs more reasonable.

The Cabins

The Cabins at Gulf State Park include some older woodside cabins and some newly constructed lakeside cabins.

The Lakeside Cabins are very new – as in they opened for their first visitors in February 2024! I haven’t stayed at these; they were mid-build while I stayed in a cottage in December 2023 and open for business when I returned in October 2024. They look great from the exterior, and the photos on their site show a design similar to the cottages. So if you like new things, now is the time.

These new lakeside builds are 2Bd/2Ba Cabins. They’re fully furnished and provide a full kitchen. Although there’s only 2 bedrooms, extra folks could actually sleep here since there’s a third room with twin bunks (but no windows, so it isn’t identified as a bedroom).

The cabins are more affordable than the cottages, but they don’t have some amenities included with the cottages. For example, you lose the bikes and the free breakfast. But keep in mind, with a full kitchen, you might not value the breakfast too much – and bikes can be rented nearby the cabins for an affordable price.

There are a few Woodside Cabins that are older and provide more cost-effective options for couples or solo travelers. These are smaller cabins, some being studios, but they do include kitchen amenities. There’s actually even one Woodside cabin that’s a 2BD/1BA and offered as an option for a family.

Budget Notes

Because they’re managed by a separate company, the cottages/cabins operate a bit more like a hotel in that their rates vary through the year based on demand. They do run promotions, so signing up for those discounts and looking for reservations early will probably result in better rates. These properties all have a one-time cleaning fee (kinda steep, around $150). These fees become more cost effective when you’re booking a longer stay or when you’re able to share the costs among multiple guests.

People-friendly Side Quests

Beaches

I suppose some people might go to GSP to enjoy the beach. So I’ll begrudgingly mention the public access to the gorgeous white sand beaches. If you like that sort of thing. There will be sand everywhere, forever.  But you do you.

Shopping

There are nice shopping areas along the Gulf, outlets nearby in Foley, and just standard tacky souvenir/beach shops at every turn. Places like The Wharf and SanRoc Cay provide lots of shopping combined with restaurants and even some adventure/nature tour options. There are local shops and boutiques in the area, so please seek those out. It can be easy to assume that chain stores and souvenir shops are the only option, but they’re just the most obvious.

If you’re willing to drive a bit (or are passing through on your way south), there’s nothing wrong with a stop in downtown Fairhope, AL.  It’s a easily navigated area with a busy but very locally-driven downtown filled with cute gift shops and nice restaurants.

Restaurants

Tons to choose from here, so the best options will depend on your preference for budget, atmosphere, or cuisine.

You’re on the coast so try seafood somewhere! And since you’re on the GULF coast, don’t shy away from cajun/creole options. It ain’t too shabby down here.

Dessert: Try the bread pudding. That’s my best advice.

Drinks: you wouldn’t be wrong to go over to the Flora-Bama and have a regional special, the Bushwhacker. It’s kinda like a milkshake. If you want nice cocktails, you’ll have some good choices at many Orange Beach locations. And if you’re staying at The Lodge (or just eat there), the options at FoodCraft are worth a try.

Dog-Friendly Side Quests!

I did not have my pups with me while I stayed at Gulf State Park. I’d take them, but probably January-February would make me feel a little bit better with fewer biting bugs and less alligator activity.

The GSP Dog Park

The dog park is split with two fenced areas, separating guests based on size.

This dog park does have access to Shelby Lake, which is neat. But for your situational awareness… there are also warning signs, because here there be alligators.

Yes, it’s a legit concern. I don’t have a terrier, but if I did, he would not be going to hang out at the GSP Dog Park in July. I do have Aussies, and they also will not be hanging out at this dog park in July.

Gulf State Park

It seems silly to say it, but the Park is just chock-full of multi-use trails. Take your dog for a walk, or a run, or a bike ride.
Go to the beach in the morning for a nice quiet walk. This might seem impossible if you’ve only been to the Gulf Coast in the summer. Go in December and enjoy the sunrise – or the sunset – with your furry best friend.

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

For a beach and dune system free from development, head over to Bon Secour. You’ll find long stretches of beach, walk trails to access dune habitats (without trampling sensitive ecosystems), and probably feel pretty alone.

Also a place to avoid alligators. Not to be repetitive or redundant but let me excessively restate the obvious… avoid alligators. Or at least ensure your dog avoids them. What you get up to, personally, is not my business.

Dauphin Island

Ok, it might take a while. But if you’re a birder, this is a prime destination for migratory birding along the Gulf Coast. If it’s April and you bird AT ALL, go to Dauphin Island.

You’ll get some glares if your pup is a nuisance, yes. So know your pup’s skill sets and act accordingly… or just try your best and live your life. Go birding.

Final Note

I loved my stay at Gulf State Park. The cottages are large, comfortable, and scenic. We’d be happy to go back or check out the slightly less expensive Lakeside Cabins. It’s not the most budget-conscious option, but I think I might be willing to splurge on this property to enjoy its serenity again.