The best things to do in Gulf Shores this winter are riding the paved trails at Gulf State Park, feeding a giraffe at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, touring Fort Morgan, hiking the free trails at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and catching the Dec. 12 Christmas Lighted Boat Parade. Gulf Shores Public Beach sits about 57 miles and 85 minutes from Splash RV Resort, our place near Pensacola.
Winter is a sneaky-good time to go. Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism sums it up on its winter getaway page: “While other communities prepare for ice and snow, Alabama’s Beaches welcomes mild weather, open shorelines, and plenty of festive events.” There’s plenty of sand to go around, too, since the tourism office’s 2026 Tourism Summit release points visitors to Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches.
Short on time? Here’s the quick version.
- Gulf State Park: 28+ miles of paved Backcountry Trail, but the park closed after Hurricane Isaias in October, so check its status before you drive over.
- Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo: $23.95 for adults and $15.95 for kids 3 to 12, and the giraffe feeding is SO worth the extra $5.
- Fort Morgan: $8 for adults, at the far western end of Highway 180.
- Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge: free trails from sunrise to sunset, but leave the dog at home.
- Holiday dates: Gulf Shores’ Community Christmas on Dec. 3 and the Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 12.
- From Splash RV Resort: about 75 minutes to Foley, 85 minutes to the beach and 2 hours to Fort Morgan.
Is Gulf Shores open after Hurricane Isaias?
The zoo, Fort Morgan and the wildlife refuge all list their daily hours online, but check on Gulf State Park before you head over. The state closed Gulf State Park ahead of Hurricane Isaias, according to Alabama Reporter’s story on the coastal closures. On Oct. 10, 2026, Fox 10 reported that Gulf State Park was closed to the public until further notice, including all beaches, boardwalks and trails.
The park’s own pier page asks visitors to check its Facebook page for the latest updates before planning a trip, so give it a look the morning you go. Over on the Fort Morgan Peninsula, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge says all trails are open, though the Centennial boardwalks are closed due to safety concerns.
Here at Splash RV Resort, reservations are open, and power, water and sewer are all back on.
Best things to do in Gulf Shores, AL: what’s worth the drive?
The best things to do in Gulf Shores, AL in the cooler months mix the outdoors with a little history: Gulf State Park’s trails and pier, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Fort Morgan, Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, a winter walk on the public beach and a side trip into Foley.
1. Gulf State Park: paved trails, a nature center and a 900-acre lake
Gulf State Park covers 6,150 acres, and its Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system runs 28+ miles through the park on paved, multi-use paths that are ADA-accessible. No bikes on the rack? The park’s Bike Share lets riders borrow one of 50 complimentary bikes for up to three hours, per the tourism office’s bike share guide.
Kids will want the Nature Center, whose animal ambassadors include owls, turtles, alligators and snakes. It opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and it’s closed on Sundays, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Nature Center itself is free, though the park charges a $5 per vehicle day-use fee to reach it.
Lake Shelby is a 900-acre freshwater lake that Gulf State Park calls “one of the closest to saltwater along the beautiful shores of the Gulf!” Bringing the dog? The park’s off-leash Dog Pond at the Lake Shelby Picnic Area is open from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Planning a beach stop inside the park? Gulf State Park’s beach parking is $15 for the day in a personal vehicle. If you’re towing, vehicles with a trailer and large RVs pay $35 and can park only at the Beach Pavilion and the pier, with no overnight camping. From our gate, the Nature Center is about 82 minutes and 55 miles away.
2. Gulf State Park Pier: fishing and sightseeing over the Gulf
The Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier is open for fishing and sightseeing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with staff on site from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Sept. 8 and March 1. A sightseeing pass costs $3 for adults and nothing for veterans or kids 11 and under, while all-day fishing is $10 for adults and $7 for veterans.
Depending on the time of year, the pier’s species list includes sheepshead, red drum, Spanish mackerel, flounder, Florida pompano, king mackerel and whiting. One catch of the paperwork kind: the pier fee doesn’t include an Alabama saltwater or pier fishing license, so buy yours online first. Rod and reel rentals run $10 for 4 hours if you’d rather not haul gear. Plan on about 85 minutes and 57 miles from Splash.
3. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo: the top family pick
For families, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is the easy win. The gates swing open daily at 9 a.m. and shut at 4 p.m., with the last guests let in at 3:30, and the zoo closes for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission is $23.95 for adults 13 to 61, $20.95 for seniors 62 and older and $15.95 for kids 3 to 12, and children 2 and under get in free.
Don’t skip the giraffe feeding. It costs $5 per person on top of admission and runs from 10 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., and the zoo’s visit page notes that all animal adventures are weather-permitting. The zoo’s animal collection spans 118 species, 22 of them critically endangered. Leave your own pets at home, though, because the zoo’s FAQ asks visitors to keep them there.
This zoo has a real comeback story. According to the zoo’s history page, Hurricane Ivan destroyed the original zoo on Sept. 16, 2004 and left it under 14 feet of water. The zoo then opened its new location in 2020, a 25-acre wildlife park, and today the zoo sits about 6 miles from the beach. Expect about 87 minutes and 59 miles in the car from Splash.
4. Fort Morgan State Historic Site: Civil War history at the mouth of Mobile Bay
Fort Morgan sits at the western end of Highway 180, 22 miles west of Highway 59 in Gulf Shores, and the Alabama Historical Commission puts its story plainly: “Since 1834 Fort Morgan has stood as the guardian of Mobile Bay.” Construction began in 1819, and on Aug. 5, 1864, Union Admiral David Farragut ordered his fleet to charge the heavily mined bay here. “Damn the torpedoes!” said Farragut.
The fort and grounds welcome visitors daily from 8 in the morning until 5 in the evening, the museum keeps a 9 a.m. start and a 4 p.m. finish, and the whole site shuts down for Christmas, New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for college students, seniors and kids 6 to 18, and $20 for a family of four, while active, reserve and retired military get in free with ID.
Want to turn it into a loop? The Mobile Bay Ferry crosses from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island in about 40 minutes. Its fares are $6 per person plus $15 one way for a vehicle under 22 feet, or $20 for anything 22 feet and over, and tickets are sold in person only at the ferry landings. Fort Morgan is the longest drive on this list, at about 2 hours and 80 miles from Splash, so leave early.
5. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge: free, quiet trails
The trails at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge are open year-round, 7 days a week, from sunrise to sunset, and they’re built for foot traffic only, so bicycles aren’t allowed. Congress established the refuge in 1980, according to the refuge’s about page. Bring binoculars, too, since the refuge’s birding page notes that the largest birds there are usually ospreys and several species of herons.
New to the refuge? Start with the Jeff Friend Trail, which the tourism board’s trail guide calls the refuge’s easiest trail, a one-mile loop through coastal marsh and maritime forest beside Little Lagoon. The same guide lists the Pine Beach Trail at 2 miles one way. There’s no entry fee, and pets aren’t permitted except for service dogs, per the refuge’s rules and policies. It’s about 95 minutes and 63 miles from Splash.
6. Gulf Shores Public Beach: a winter walk on the sand
Gulf Shores has eight public beach access locations, from Lagoon Pass to Gulf Place and East Beach. Parking near the sand isn’t free for visitors: under the city’s beach parking rules, effective July 1, 2026, non-residents pay $2 an hour north of Beach Boulevard and $3 an hour south of it, and payment runs through the ParkMobile app.
In winter, think beach walk, not beach swim. The city’s beach safety page says seasonal lifeguards work between March and October, and it’s illegal to enter the Gulf inside city limits when double red flags are flying. The water’s cool, too, since Sea Temperature puts Gulf Shores’ average water temperature at 66°F in December and 62.4°F in January.
Dogs can’t come along on this one, because the city’s beach rules don’t allow pets on any of Gulf Shores’ sand beaches. The Gulf Shores Dog Park at 308 Clubhouse Drive is the backup plan, open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. The beach is about 85 minutes and 57 miles from Splash.
7. Foley: holiday trees, model trains and a Saturday market
Foley makes an easy first or last stop. The tourism office’s holiday events calendar lists The Very Merry Tree Walk at Downtown OWA from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23, 2026, and OWA is about 76 minutes and 53 miles from Splash.
Train fans should head to the Foley Railroad Museum and Model Train Exhibit at 125 E. Laurel Ave., inside a depot built in 1909. The museum opens Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and the model train exhibit keeps those same hours on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Come on a Saturday and you can also hit the Coastal Alabama Farmers & Fishermen’s Market at 781 Farmers Market Lane, which opens at 9 a.m. and wraps up at 2 p.m.
What are the best family things to do in Gulf Shores?
The best family things to do in Gulf Shores this time of year are the zoo’s giraffe feeding, the Nature Center’s animal ambassadors, a free museum and an easy ride on a borrowed bike.
Rainy morning? The free Gulf Shores Museum sits at 244 W. 19th Ave., and the tourism board’s indoor attractions page describes it as a historic beach home where guides host exhibits, lectures and documentary films about local history.
Fun things to do in Gulf Shores this winter: what’s on the calendar?
Fun things to do in Gulf Shores, Alabama this winter include a Thanksgiving-weekend race through Gulf State Park, a holiday tree walk at OWA, a free Community Christmas with Santa and a lighted boat parade on the Intracoastal Waterway.
The city’s Community Christmas page promises pictures with Santa (one free picture per family), carriage rides, holiday treats and crafts. Mardi Gras fans will have to wait a little longer, since the city’s events page still says “Parade info coming soon!” for its 2027 parade.
Is winter a good time to visit Gulf Shores?
Winter is a great time to visit Gulf Shores if you like mild days and shorter lines. The tourism office’s seasonal guide lists winter averages of 61°F for highs and 48°F for lows, so a light jacket and a pair of sneakers will cover most days. It’s also snowbird country. The tourism office’s snowbird clubs page says Alabama’s Beaches welcome the winter snowbirds during the cooler months, and it keeps a list of state clubs so winter guests can meet folks from back home.
How far is Gulf Shores from Splash RV Resort?
Gulf Shores Public Beach is about 57 miles and 85 minutes from Splash RV Resort, without traffic. Foley is the quickest stop at about 75 minutes, and Fort Morgan is the longest haul at about 2 hours. Most trips start west on I-10 through Pensacola, then go one of two common ways: across Perdido Key on Perdido Key Drive and Alabama 182 for the beach, pier and Fort Morgan, or west on U.S. 98 into Foley for OWA, the zoo and the railroad museum.
These times come from OpenStreetMap’s routing engine, checked on Nov. 12, 2026, and they assume clear roads, so pad them on holiday weekends. Coming from downtown Pensacola instead? Gulf Place is about 32 miles away, roughly an hour’s drive.
Where should you stay for Gulf Shores day trips?
For a winter home base with room to spread out, Splash RV Resort, near Pensacola, offers three ways to stay, from full-hookup RV sites to luxury cottages and Conestoga glamping wagons, about 85 minutes from Gulf Shores Public Beach. What makes a great base for Alabama day trips? Room to spread out, easy interstate access and plenty to do once you’re back. We’ve got all three.
Every full-hookup RV site at Splash sits on an all-concrete pad, with concrete roads throughout and 50-amp power, and there are over 280 of them, pull-thrus included. The resort takes rigs up to 111 ft, and you’ll get complimentary high-speed WiFi at your RV site, plenty for streaming, so mapping tomorrow’s drive won’t start a fight.
Traveling without an RV? Book one of our 34 luxury cottages, where the larger layouts sleep as many as 6 and every cottage has a full kitchen. Or grab one of 8 Conestoga glamping wagons, each with heating and AC and room for up to 4 guests.
Coming for the holidays? You can book our Christmas Cottages and Wagons from Thanksgiving week until December 31st. Each stay comes with s’mores fixings and firewood, hot chocolate with souvenir Splash mugs and a free golf cart rental (availability is limited). Use the code Christmas for a cottage or ChristmasWagon for a wagon.
Over Thanksgiving week, Nov. 22 to 29, Splash hosts a Camper Potluck on Thanksgiving Day, plus live music, a scavenger hunt and Pictures with Santa. Book 5 nights and 1 is free, or book 7 and get 2 free, using Thanksgiving5 or Thanksgiving7.
From Nov. 9, 2026 through Mar. 8, 2027, our winter schedule opens the pools and lazy river at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends, and both stay open until dusk. The seasonal hot tub is a treat after a long day on the trails, and the 18-hole mini golf course costs guests nothing extra. Your dog’s welcome here even where the zoo and the refuge say no: pets are allowed in RVs, select cabins take them with a $200 pet fee, plus dog parks and a pet washing station.
Staying the whole season? For November through February, a standard back-in site runs $1,299 per month at our monthly snowbird rates, and you’ll book a monthly RV stay directly with our team instead of online.
Frequently asked questions
Our picks for a winter visit are the trails and fishing pier at Gulf State Park, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Fort Morgan State Historic Site and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Add a holiday event or a Saturday market in Foley and you’ve got a full day.
The giraffe feeding at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a guaranteed hit, and the animal ambassadors at the Gulf State Park Nature Center are a close second. If it rains, the free Gulf Shores Museum makes an easy indoor stop.
No, pets aren’t allowed on Gulf Shores’ sand beaches. The city runs a dog park on Clubhouse Drive instead, and Gulf State Park has an off-leash Dog Pond at its Lake Shelby Picnic Area.
Yes, you do. The pier’s daily fishing fee doesn’t include an Alabama saltwater or pier fishing license, so anglers need to buy a valid license separately.
Gulf Shores Public Beach is about 32 miles from downtown Pensacola, or roughly an hour by car without traffic. From Splash RV Resort near Pensacola, plan on about 85 minutes.
Splash RV Resort near Pensacola pairs concrete full-hookup RV sites with a lazy river, heated pools and luxury cottages, so it makes a roomy home base for Alabama day trips.
Ready to plan your Gulf Shores day trip?
Starting from the resort, Foley is about 75 minutes away, Gulf Shores Public Beach is about 85 minutes and Fort Morgan is about 2 hours. Lock in an RV site, a cottage or a Conestoga wagon, then see what’s open on the Splash RV Resort reservations page. Trust us, after a day of giraffes and Civil War history, that fire pit is gonna feel pretty great!