Audubon Bird Sanctuary

We took the afternoon free of rain to roam around the sanctuary. We saw an Osprey nest with a pair down by the dunes near the beach. The trails were clear and easy to follow. They were kid friendly and flat enough for a stroller or wheelchair, aside from some roots on areas of the path. Some of the lake look trail was closed when we went. It was a beautiful place!

It's such a beautiful and peaceful spot. Nice well-marked trails, gorgeous beach, and of course great birding!

This was my first time going to the beach and this beach is beautiful! Great for first timers!

Absolutely love coming here! Such beautiful sights on the trails and also has access to the beach! Very very pretty and worth the drive from Mobile

Awesome park/sanctuary on Dauphin Island. Several hiking/walking trails available. Some have boardwalks much of the way but nearly all of them end at some point. We were able to use a stroller through everything except the little spur out to the beach. The forest is beautiful. Tall pines that make the area above the underbrush feel open and airy. Mixed in are some oaks and magnolias with interesting branch structure. We were here in early September so it was still hot and not many wild flowers to be seen. From the dock on Alligator Lake we saw closer to a dozen turtles of varying species swimming around. Some were huge, shell maybe a foot or more wide. Didn't see any gators though, unfortunately. Maybe was time of day, mid afternoon, or year, but mosquitoes were pretty rough through the swamp and forest. If you kept moving it wasn't too bad, but our 2 year old got hammered with bites. Parking is somewhat limited. No real amenities, but some people had hiked out to the beach and were chillin.

Nice easy board walk and pine needle covered dirt/sand trail system featuring wild life, birds, natural habitat, near the beach. We came specifically to do some birding but it has been very quiet last several days. The walk was quite lovely in the solitude, However mosquitoes can be vicious around the swamp area and part of the trail can be muddy. Signs show directions to parking & beach, and others give info on nature. Would love to see more of “you are here” maps throughout. Lots of pines, saw palmettos, magnificent magnolia trees and thick undergrowth forest natural habitat. Small parking area (about 15 slots) for the size of this sanctuary. No bikes. No facilities or picnic areas.

Unfortunately we were not able to see as much wildlife as we had hoped. It is a peaceful walk but the signage could be improved, we weren't sure on a few ways which way to turn.

I got off I-10 cross country roadtrip to take a break and see Dauphin Island and put my foot in the Gulf. The bird sanctuary was a first stop and well worth the leg stretch! Multiple trail choices, but I took the short Lake loop and was greeted by dozens of turtles off the short pier! There is a small parking area, but it’s shady and adequate right at trails heads. I may just do this again, or even plan a short vacay on Dauphin because there’s plenty to see and do. The bird sanctuary is a must!