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

distractedbirder — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 01:52:44 +0000

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.

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Dog-friendly Adventure in the State Parks: Oconee State Park

distractedbirder — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 22:38:33 +0000

Oconee State Park in South Carolina has reasonably priced dog-friendly cabins with options for folks who want to bring their pets. But the biggest selling point of this park is the location. It’s a perfect jumping-off point for outdoor recreation in the mountains of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. This is the first post in a series about dog-friendly State Parks. Finding Your Dog-Friendly Cabin The great part about booking a cabin at a South Carolina State Park is how easy they make it to search for dog-friendly options. This can be hidden a bit more in other state systems, but South Carolina must see/appreciate the demand from pet owners wanting to bring along the pets. And I appreciate them for making this process so easy. First, cabins and villas can be found from the main state park page with a few clicks to their reservation system, or just go here to see a bit of preliminary information about options. Once you’re on the reservations page, you can click “lodging” on the left, select “Cabins/Villas” and then an option to further select “pet-friendly” appears. Click that if you want to bring your pets along (I assume that’s why you’re here). Now suddenly your SC State Park options are reduced to only those options with Pet-Friendly Cabins! Sure, there are only five, but that’s better than none, and there are some good locations here. And frankly, this presentation is much easier to navigate than most: If you’re interested in Camper Cabins, some of those at Lake Hartwell are also pet-friendly. Campgrounds are also likely to be pet-friendly but you’d need to verify rules for those sites. Alas, I don’t look at those because my dogs and densely-packed campgrounds would not equal a relaxing getaway. High Season Booking Rules Some parks will have minimum stay requirements or special rules during the high season or holidays. If you see 2-3 days of availability but the system isn’t letting you reserve a cabin, there’s probably a minimum stay requirement preventing your reservation. But all hope is not lost. The best thing to do is call that specific park directly and ask if they will reserve the room for you. I did this at Oconee, and they were happy to book me for 3 nights even though the minimum requirement in July is 4 nights. Hate the phone? Yeah, me too, I get it. But this is one time when you should definitely make a call; only the individual state park can accommodate these exceptions. Oconee State Park Oconee State Park is one of South Carolina’s State Parks in the mountain region. It’s not a huge park, but there is a campground, a small lake with swimming areas for people and pets (the pets are separate), a few trails, and a park office. The cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the old barracks are still used by Park staff. There’s even a statue in front of the office, as an homage to the CCC who developed so many of the amazing Park infrastructure and trail systems throughout the U.S. The great thing about Oconee is its location. The park is in the mountains of South Carolina, but it’s also less than an hour from either northern Georgia or western North Carolina. It’s a smaller property, but it’s hard to beat the access it provides to little mountain communities and additional recreation areas, which I describe in a bit more detail below (see: Side Quests). Oconee Cabins There are three cabin areas at Oconee. One group of cabins is set further to the southeast and feels a bit more remote, as it is further from the busier lake and the park office. Cabins 1-6 are on the north side of the lake and have adorable log-cabin exteriors that just scream CCC. The pet-friendly cabins are Cabins 14-20 and are near the lake (many have direct views/access). They all look pretty similar, although cabins at the park might offer 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom options. The cabins are fully furnished, have a full kitchen, and include a shower-only bath. The interior feels very rustic, but they also include wifi and have a smart TV. There are many other awesome features of Oconee’s cabins. The entire front of the cabin shown is a screened deck. The July heat was abysmal but the deck stayed pleasantly cool all morning. The wooded setting was perfect for a morning lakeside walk with the dogs. And until the lake was open for swimming, the park remained quiet even on a holiday (Independence Day) weekend. If keeping a budget in mind, this cabin ran us just over $600 for 3 nights. That being said, the pet fee is very reasonable here (whether you’re comparison is a pet boarding facility or a standard hotel). And since there’s a full kitchen, you have the ability to really budget food costs rather than spending a ton at restaurants. This is not as budget-friendly as a campsite by any stretch, but it’s definitely a lot less anxiety for all of us – and for that, we are willing to pay a bit extra. Note: Our stay was over a holiday weekend. Weekdays are more affordable, as are stays outside of the summer. Another dog-friendly benefit of Oconee? Fireworks are not allowed. Of course, you can’t force the thunderstorms to stay away, but at least one source of anxiety is abated for noise-sensitive dogs. On Independence Day weekend this was a huge, if unexpected, win for our pups. And a family-friendly note, too: Our two-bedroom cabin could actually sleep up to six! Each bedroom only had one double bed, but there was actually a loft. It’s accessed via a ladder, and it has two twin beds. This might not be a dog-friendly feature, but I’m guessing most kids would love this space. Dog-Friendly Side Quests! So where did we spend our time when staying at Oconee State Park? Well, mostly North Carolina! Stumphouse Tunnel (SC) The Stumphouse Tunnel is a neat stop, just 6 miles south of Oconee State Park. The tunnel was started prior to the Civil War but was never completed. About a quarter mile of the tunnel is accessible to people (and this is also dog-friendly). It’s dark and damp, and the ground is a little uneven… but it’s neat to experience, and the temperature is cool inside even when the rest of the Southeast is miserably hot and humid. There’s a $5 fee (per vehicle) to access the Stumphouse Tunnel. There are a few other little hikes and a view of waterfalls, as well. Panthertown Valley (NC) A part of the Nantahala National Forest near Cashiers, NC, the Panthertown Valley provides tons of outdoor recreation opportunities. Our route took us down to Frolictown Falls, up Little Green Mountain, and back around to Panthertown Valley Trail to exit, which was about 6 miles in total. We saw a number of waterfalls, took in some nice mountain views, and ate a few blueberries along the way. And our dogs swam like they might never see a stream again (don’t tell Aussies they’re not water dogs, they won’t believe you). Despite being here on a Saturday over the Independence Day weekend, the crowds were not too bad. There are tons of falls and swimming holes, which were certainly the most popular spots for people to gather. Even so, the actual trail experience was generally quiet and pleasant*. The Panthertown Valley has a few access roads. We made it to the Salt Rock Gap trailhead easily without AWD, although it’s a slow approach at the end. There’s no day use fee. Volunteers were greeting visitors in the morning and were able to answer questions about trails. We also picked up a map of the area, which is recommended instead of reliance on AllTrails. The recommended map can be purchased in Cashiers, NC at the Highland Hiker. *Note for Reactive Dogs: There’s not a firm leash law here – dogs should always be under control of their owner, but this may be vocal command if the dog is well-trained. We only ran into a couple dogs that were unleashed, but most folks were very quick to bring their dogs to heel (or leash them) once we indicated our need to maintain space. Gorges State Park (NC) A small State Park in North Carolina, Gorges has a remarkably large visitor center that probably speaks to how busy the place can be on a bad day. However, we drove down to the main parking lot and found plenty of space, so we headed down the main trail to the star attraction here: Rainbow Falls. The waterfalls here are pretty, but if you have dogs that love to swim, they might be disappointed. It’s terribly difficult to find easily accessible swimming holes for the pups due to all the boulders. That’s true of the entire trail – you’re near water most of the time, but rarely can you access it easily for a leashed swim. If you dogs are good on a leash and not reactive*, this will be a great stroll. Gorges State Park is near Sapphire, NC and access to the park is free. *Note for Reactive Dogs: Our experience was that this trail could be a bit narrow approaching the falls, with quite a bit of foot traffic later in the day. This is a popular trail for leashed dogs, so be prepared to see many other dogs along the way. Given our particular dog parameters (i.e., excitement reactivity for one; excited leash pulling from both), this hike was a bit more stressful than anticipated. Final Note We really enjoyed our stay at Oconee State Park. The cabin was quiet, comfortable, and provided all the amenities we needed. Plus, Panthertown Valley is a great hiking area and would warrant a return visit on its own. We’d be happy to go back or check out other cabin options in South Carolina State Parks. I’m hoping to check out Devil’s Fork sometime soon, as many folks from South Carolina recommend it first as a pet-friendly option (with nicely updated cabins).

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U.S. National Parks: A Lifetime of Domestic Bliss

distractedbirder — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 22:50:31 +0000

A recent post about a more thoughtful, intentional approach to travel left out a massive United States-sized hole in my personal bucket list. But of course I don’t think this country lacks for spectacular, noteworthy destinations! There are many amazing places here that I still hope to visit, and most of them are public lands. Despite there being some great cities in the U.S., those urban centers are no match for the grandeur of our greatest National Parks. What’s in a Name? Okay, let’s be really clear about something. Because titles might confuse people. There are 63 “National Parks” in the National Park System. But there are hundreds of properties managed by the National Park Service. National Historical Sites, National Monuments, National Seashores, and National Parks – the list goes on. There are many types of NPS designations. One important thing to know is that there’s nothing hierarchical about it. One placename doesn’t trump another. A seashore indicates the type of habitat, obviously. A historic site probably protects resources of historic significance. Some of the titles are pretty dang specific, right? But “National Park” doesn’t necessarily mean “bigger property” when compared to other NPS properties. After all, some national monuments are enormous, and some National Parks are not. (I’m looking at you, Gateway Arch). And “National Park” doesn’t necessarily mean “more important” when compared to the other sites managed by the National Park Service. Gettysburg and Vicksburg are National Military Parks. The National Mall and Memorials is kinda just doing its own thing out there in Washington, D.C., being absolutely fabulous. Heck, “National Park” mostly means it took an act of Congress to designate (a President can create a National Monument independently by Executive Order) and generally indicates the public uses allowed at the site. So the National Parks aren’t necessarily the “best” properties in the National Park System. But many of them certainly are the jewels in the crown, containing some of the most iconic sights this country has to offer. Step Away from That Screen For the avid outdoorsy traveler, the National Parks are basically affordable playgrounds. Who needs water parks and roller coasters? We have geysers and glaciers and fjords and sand dunes. Don’t like crowds? Take a hike. Literally, not figuratively! Don’t like noise? There’s millions of acres out there. You can find solitude if you seek it, usually only a couple miles down the trail less traveled. Tired of the city lights? Marvel at a flawless night sky at one of a dozen National Parks (of 27 sites in the system). I love visiting our National Parks because they impart the briefest sense of serenity, of connection with nature. The entire point is to gawk at the world around us, whatever strikes our fancy. We can be wowed by the displays of vivid fall foliage, enjoy spectacular views after a challenging mountain ascent, or immerse ourselves in every type of desert landscape. Oh, and there are also fjords and volcanoes. In case we get bored, I guess. Sure, not every site is going to be as appealing (or as accessible) to every person. But it’s a good thing that NPS manages over 400 sites – there are plenty of locations, interests, and activities to choose from. Domestic Bucket List The point so far is that the National Park System is huge, diverse, and there are tons of worthwhile destinations. But in an effort to continue focusing on intentional travel, this is where I bite the bullet. I’m making decisions. I’m putting down in writing which National Parks I’d most like to visit. Luckily blog posts are easy to edit, so I don’t feel much pressure! (1) Glacier National Park This is number 1 because I’m hoping to go here in September 2021. So it’s just going to be listed as #1, and that’s how it is. It also borders northern Montana (Canada). Glacier shares designation with Waterton Lakes National Park as an International Peace Park, so I sure hope to add a new country to my map! But other than its proximity to the great nice north, I’m also very excited about the hikes, the scenery, and the Going to the Sun Road! We’d like to take at least one hike at Logan Pass and a long hike at Two Medicine. Oh, and see bears. BEARS!!! Because I saw a grand total of ZERO brown bears in Alaska, and I’m bitter about it. (2) Yosemite National Park Because the canyons and waterfalls are supposed to be amazing. And it’s good enough for UNESCO, so I guess it’s good enough for me. I might even want to hike half-dome, if I were able to get drawn in the lottery and felt completely crazy at the time. I dunno. Stupider things have happened. (3) Yellowstone National Park Wildlife! Photos! Geysers and hot deadly holes in the ground! You’re right, it’s crazy that I haven’t been to Yellowstone yet. I absolutely agree. (4) Acadia National Park It just sounds pretty. And I’ve never been to Maine. Also, do you even realize how close Acadia is to… PUFFINS???! Definitely need to go to Maine. I mean, Acadia! (But also Maine.) (5) Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park I mean, there are flippin’ active volcanoes. It’s another of our UNESCO world heritage sites. And it’s in Hawai’i, with habitats and fauna that are sure to be unlike that of the continental United States. Surely, it is the most unique of the 63 National Parks. Sign me up! and… how many birds would I see??? Well, not as many as I’d like. Many are endangered. And yet… So many new birds!!! Been There, Done That – Might Go Back Some pretty amazing National Parks are on my above list, I know. Those are the big guns, there. It’s not even terribly hard to make this list with those options! So far, I’ve only been to 19 of our National Parks. Not even half! But at least a few notable parks aren’t on my above list solely because I’ve already been at least once. That isn’t to say that return trips aren’t worthwhile. Sometimes you fall in love with a place and its all you need. Many people love to vacation that way, and I feel a sort of envy at that type of… contentment? satisfaction? But I suppose wanderlust drives me to want to see all the pretty things or exciting things. Or, maybe more accurately, the new-to-me things. Some already-visited national parks, like the Grand Canyon or Olympic, I just loved. My trip to Mammoth Cave was back in 1992 or so, long enough that there are no photos and the memories are faded. My stop in Denali was a rainy half-day with little opportunity to explore. Of course I’d go those places again! But I’ll leave them off the bucket list for now, only because they don’t carry the same urgency as those I’ve yet to explore. Quibbles and Caveats For all my love our our National Park System, I can’t claim it’s a well-kept secret. Most people have probably ventured to at least a few of these properties, but some of them bring astounding crowds. Each year, literally millions of people flock to the most popular parks. Solitude and quiet must be intentionally sought; they probably will not be granted to you upon arrival at the Visitors Center! Vacation Considerations: Planning. Just check out basic information for any Park before visiting. Best seasons? Road construction? Trails might have been washed out, roads could be closed. All sorts of little details that could impact your trip can easily be found on each Park’s NPS site. For instance, the in 2020-2021 the pandemic is certainly changing shuttle stops and availability, access, and even capacity. If you’re aware of changes, you might at least be able to minimize disappointment or plan alternatives. Crowds. If you’re traveling during the summer when children are out of school and most Americans can also travel, you’ll encounter the most crowds. This is true pretty much everywhere. This doesn’t mean “don’t go”. The best time to go is… whenever you can go! But if you want less crowds, look for less popular sights/trails. And if you can, travel during the shoulder season. Lodging. Some Parks have lots of options both inside and at local towns nearby, some don’t. Many notable Parks have some rustic, historic lodges (if you’re willing to pay the price and sometimes book a year early). Some have fantastic campgrounds (Zion and Bryce Canyon are amazing examples!). You’ll need to check out availability if you want to reserve one (and some must be reserved well in advance). Pets. Ah, as a traveler with a big more flexibility in timing, I can avoid crowds more easily than I can avoid this complete disappointment. Alas, most National Parks are not at all pet-friendly. You’d need to check into this for any Park before visiting. Often pups are allowed in campgrounds and, often, on certain paved trails. But a more liberal trail policy is certainly the exception, rather than the rule. My previous post describes one shining example of a dog-friendly National Park, if you are indeed hoping to bring fido on your hikes. Ready to Go? I definitely appreciate our U.S. National Parks for beauty, recreation, and access to nature. I think they’re some of our best vacation destinations. How do you feel about the U.S. National Parks? Are you a Park “collector”, or do you have a favorite Park that keeps drawing you back?

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