New $24M Executive Campground coming to Gulf State Park
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Gulf State Park already has one of the best campgrounds in the country but an upcoming project is expected to create even more opportunities for future visitors.
The new Executive Campground will cover about 200 acres and have its own amenities as well as easy access to the rest of the park. It’s expected to be noticeably different from the current campground on the south side of the park.
With a planned opening in the first half of 2026, the new Gulf State Park Campground hopes to provide extra space + privacy. It will be built in two phases on the park’s old golf course.
“There will be two phases, based on current funding levels; the first phase will consist of 100 campsites with about 100 more planned for phase two. We’re going to have a new entrance that comes off Canal Road at the new overpass. It will be only a few hundred feet from that.
“I think this project is transformative. It’s going to allow visitors easy access straight into the new campground so they can start enjoying the amenities, like the trails, as soon as they park.”
Matthew Capps, Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division
There will also be a new entrance, providing convenient access to the campground from State Road 180 (Canal Road) near the new Beach Express bridge in Gulf Shores.
Gulf State Park
The new campground is expected to have between 60 to 100 feet between each campsite, much more expansive than the typical 30 feet between campsites at the current campground.
Gulf State Park includes the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, which runs through portions of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Additional features will include:
- Large pool
- Splash pad
- Pickleball court
- Putting green
- Activities center
- Public restrooms
- Washers
- Dryers
- Event space
- Recreation space
“The new campground has been a long time coming. One of the hardest decisions I have had to make as Commissioner was the decision to close the golf course. It needed a tremendous amount of work and was not cost effective from a return-on-investment perspective to renovate. Building a new campground to add more opportunities for people to camp at Gulf State Park is a far better investment. I can’t wait to see it open next year!”
Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner
The new campground will help relieve some issues that come from the current campsite having high occupancy for most of the year. There is expected to be more shaded areas while staying within walking distance of the state park’s amenities.
With a new campground, the demand is likely be extremely high, and Capps wants to make sure everything is on track for an opening in the first half of 2026 before reservations open.
“We’ll start taking reservations once we are a bit closer to confirming our opening date. We want to make sure we are giving people accurate information, so as soon as we’re confident in the timing, we will open reservations and folks can start planning their trips.”
Matthew Capps, Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division
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