Gulf State Park Pier

We went to Gulf State Park Pier a little before sunset on the last evening of our vacation. This was the PERFECT time to go! The sun was at a point to where we could see beneath the surface of the water allowing us to watch schools of fish swimming, a few crabs and even spot some nice shells! On the opposite side of the pier we saw multiple dolphins playing (at least 6) and swimming. Nearer the pier we noticed fish began to jump out of the water and then we saw a shark swimming right below us! We understood why those fish were jumping after that. We made our way down the pier and wound up seeing a shark twice more as multiple fishermen caught ladyfish and mackerel all around us. The sun finally completely set and the sky grew dark except for the sliver of moon and the stars. It was a really awesome walk on the pier with a lot of action and a beautiful sunset and moonrise. If you’re looking for an affordable and fun way to spend an evening, head to the Gulf State Park Pier and see what you can discover in the water 😊

Pier was probably the nicest pier I've ever been too. It does cost to park and go on the pier, but it was well worth it. Kids 11 and under are free. Also, if you take your parking pass stub to pay for entry to the pier, you get one free entry. Employees were very nice and helpful. There's ice cream, food, drinks, and clean bathrooms. Also, you can't beat the view of the beautiful beach and ocean. It was fun to watch people catch fish.

So awesome looking in the water. Seen jellyfish and even a blacktip shark. Don't forget to take the bottom of the parking receipt for $3.00 off. Have fun

The newly refinished pier is so nice; busy with so many fishermen. My visit was bitter sweet since I went to keep a promise I had made to my husband before he passed away. The last time I had taken him there to fish, his health had already diminished his ability to walk & so being in a wheelchair he fished near the beginning of the pier, since the end had not yet been rebuilt because of the hurricane damage. It is so beautiful, and they honor us Veterans with discounts, so I was able to bring his ashes with me, to be together on the fully finished pier as I had promised we would do once it was finished❤️ THANK YOU Gulf State Park Pier for your kindness!!

The area is beautiful, but do not plan on just stopping and taking a brief walk on the beach. We stopped at 4 different spots and it was $15 to parking. If I had planned on staying for a while that would have been fine, but we only wanted to stretch out legs from the drive. Don't get me wrong I understand they probably use the funds to help keep the area as beautiful as they do, but I believe you could make more if you do a time stamped ticket that you turn in as you leave and charge by the hour to get out.

Best peir, around well managed very helpful staff. Veteran friendly parking,get your discounted parking and pass at the window for veterans with ID. Went back multiple times. Lots of dolphins to see sharks and sea turtles. Such a great time.

Parking was $10 and for 2 of us $3 to walk the pier and enjoy the sunset. The early evening breeze made the visit very comfortable even though it was 93 degrees when we arrived

Beautiful place and such nice people upon run into. We didn't have any luck fishing though.

The Gulf State Park Pier has been seriously upgraded since my last visit. It had been damaged and they have done quite a lot of repairs and updates. I had no idea that they had started charging to go to the far end of the pier as that wasn't the case when I last visited. As a veteran I get free parking and also free entrance to the pier. I never saw any signage that indicated I had to pay to walk out to the pier but I did get yelled at for just walking out on the pier past the "commercial zone" and had to show my military veteran ID to proceed. I found it odd that I was somehow magically supposed to know that there was a fee or requirement to show my veteran ID when I never saw any sign to that effect. The lady that yelled at me came out of a door so she was inside where I couldn't have seen her so they should certainly add some signs that explain what they want more clearly to avoid weird situations like this. They also have a restaurant and bar here but I would suggest eating somewhere else. The pier does seem to be a decent place to fish and I saw several people bringing in some nice sized fish. Overall this seems like a good option if you want to fish off a pier or just enjoy the great view here. If I had to pay to just walk to the end of the pier I wouldn't have done that as you can get a good enough view from the "commercial zone" where the bar and restaurant are located. Overall this is an interesting spot to check out but I just heard they have raised the price of parking so that might make this area less attractive to visit.

After spending an afternoon on the pier and walking it's length I'm updating my review with some history. We've been coming here for over 30 years and there's been some serious changes and some big ones have happened just since we retired and became full time residents over 5 years ago. Here's a chronological history of the Gulf State Park Pier, including information about the construction, destruction, and rebuilding processes, estimated costs, and amenities: * 1930s: The Gulf State Park Pier was constructed along with other park facilities by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps under federal supervision. * 1968: The first saltwater pier was built, becoming a popular attraction in the park. * 1979: Hurricane Frederic destroyed the pier. * 1979-2004: The pier was rebuilt, providing fishing and recreational opportunities for visitors. * 2004: Hurricane Ivan damaged the rebuilt pier. * 2004-2009: The pier underwent reconstruction efforts. * 2009: The rebuilt pier reopened, featuring a length of approximately 1,080 feet and various amenities such as comfort stations and wheelchair-accessible rail fishing. * 2020: The pier was scheduled to reopen following a $2.4 million renovation that included an extension, making it 1,540 feet long with 2,448 feet of fishing space, it is the second longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico. However, Hurricane Sally direct hit Gulf Shores before the grand reopening, damaging a 200-foot section of the pier. * November 2023: The pier closed for a $13.6 million renovation project led by MD Thomas Construction to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Sally. * The Pier reopened to sightseers and anglers on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 at 7am, as the renovation work that began in November 2023 was finally completed. Unfortunately, as of 9/23/24, the observation deck, though repaired, remains closed waiting for the elevator to be repaired or replaced to be ADA compliant. Ammenities include: * Pier office and bait shop open 6am-6pm. * Covered seating for concession area and an indoor retail shop with tackle and souvenirs. * Informative signs along the pier about native fish, birds, and other wildlife. * Comfort stations at the midpoint of the pier and wheelchair-accessible rail fishing. * Saltwater fishing permits sold on-site. * Bywater Beachside offers cocktails, refreshments, and some nice food options. Some of the special events include: * Reptile Romp: A fun and educational event that introduces visitors to various reptiles found in the area. * Radical Raptors: An event focused on learning about birds of prey and their importance in the local ecosystem. * Turtle Fest: A festival dedicated to sea turtles, where guests can learn about these fascinating creatures and the organizations working to protect them. * Park Pollinators: A program that highlights the role of pollinators in the park's ecosystem and how visitors can help support them. Fees: Parking: $10, all day Sightseeing (All Day) Adult - $2 Veteran - Free Children under 12 years - Free State Park Campground/Lodge Guests - Free Fishing (All Day) Adult - $9 Veteran - $6 Campground/Lodge Guest - $6 Children under 12 years - Free Weekly Fishing Permit - $41.00 Monthly Fishing Permit - $81.00 Six Month Fishing Permit - $161.00 Annual Fishing Permit - $321.00 Anglers must possess a valid fishing license. (residents 65+ annual license is free) Note: Veterans can obtain a parking sticker from the Gulf State Park office for free, the resident parking sticker is not honored here. Bottom line: Gulf State Park Pier is an iconic landmark in Gulf Shores, offering a wealth of recreational opportunities with a great view of the beaches and the Gulf.

I was able to be apart if the clean up dive crew for my 1st time. I was able to meet several of the parks staff who helped put this on. The staff was amazing. Super friendly and very professional. They really took care of us divers. They held a raffle giveaway and had prizes for whoever got the heaviest/most trash from out around the pier. Oh, and they gave us a voucher for some food and drink after. I was very impressed with the way it was set up. After the dive, we separated the trash into piles for recycle, etc... I cannot wait to be able to help out again in the future. I had so much fun, got to dive, meet new people, and help make our water safer for both wildlife and people.

My husband and I were visiting AL for the first time and staying at a VRBO near the pier. We decided to walk to the pier and check it out and were told that it would cost us $3 a person to walk out on it. The guy at the counter who was working told us that we had only one hour because they were closing early. It was not at all worth the money!! Of course now days they seem to charge for everything you do.

It is an attractive pier, but the three dollar admission to walk on a few boards out upon the water seems a bit steep, especially when a lot of the people there are there for fishing and had to obtain a saltwater fishing license. I have traveled quite a bit and I believe that this is the first pier that has a "cover charge." I understand that Gulf Shores survives as a tourist town and wants to take as much discretionary income from the vacationers and revelers, but this is a bit much.

Not dog friendly, but there was a bunch of wild life. We saw our first sea turtle. The beach was great.

I finally got my hubby to relax while enjoying the view'. It's $2 to go out on the pier where they are fishing. It's a go to at the beginning of my Gulf Shores trips! I don't remember the bar though from before. Nice spot

The Pier is part of the Gulf Shore State Park area in is well worth the $3 price! Your armband is good for 24 hours too! We took in a small meal, walked the pier, and watched the fishing extravaganza! Tuesday night is shark fishing night and is quite the sight. There were pelicans on the walkway, fishermen everywhere, and beautiful views!

Had to visit the pier while we was here. Since we stayed at the campground we got a free pass to go and walk it. It was a bit breezy, I'd bring a jacket if its not in the 80's temp. Not too much to see here except for fisherman. Its a pretty far walk out to the end of the pier. Beautiful views. The people fishing were not catching much when we was there. They have a store for all your live bait, lures, shirts etc. Would recommend walking out and enjoying the view.

24/7 Lots of free parking. $3 just to sight see. It's also good for 24 hours :) Restaurant in front before you get to the pier. Snacks up front for sale too. Lots of fishermen. I enjoyed looking at what others caught. I'm not sure how much it cost for them to access the pier. 281/2019

Great place to go fish or to walk and see sunset! If you camp at the campground the parking and entry are free!

Getting outdoors is so important and finding a nice quiet spot that's not too crowded, isn't always easy. A few months ago, I decided to go across the bay to grab a bite to eat and found this nice quiet spot in the shade. It was a weekday so it wasn't as crowded. It's a beautiful place to relax in the shade or have a picnic.

Great place to fish or just people watch! During the day, the pier offers a tackle/bait shop where you can purchase your fishing license and a snack bar. Prices in both establishments are comparable to anywhere else locally. However these amenities are not available at night even though the actual pier is open 24/7. We have been out here many times, both day and night. It's a lovely place to relax and enjoy life.

We went fishing this morning at the pier. It was a lot of fun even though we didn't catch anything. We purchased the pier fishing license on the web and then went to the pier. We rented gear an purchased shrimp for bait. I watched a fish nibble on my bait when we first got there but that was the only time anything really hit my line. The person next to me noticed some swimming around my line. They swam between our lines and did not touch the bait. It's like they were just tired of shrimp . They have a fish forecast every day. Today was Spanish Mackerel. People early in the day caught lots of them. We didn't get there until about 10am. So go early if you actually want to clean fish

*** It isn't FREE to walk all the way to the end *** ____ Facts from the website: This is the second longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico and Alabama's only public pier on the Gulf. The first one was destroyed in Hurricane Ivan and this new one was built 250 feet east of the old one. ____ You can easily find parking since there are many parking spaces with plenty of handicapped spaces. This pier has a continuous ramp making it easier for everyone to use it. Rates for fishing on this Pier: Adults/Children 12 & Older $8.00/day Children 11 & Under: $4.00/day or free with paying adult *You can also purchase weekly, monthly, semi-annual, or annual passes. **There is an all day $3 Sightsee fee, apparently, you have to pay to walk all the way out on the pier. There's a sign that shows which fish you might catch, they are: King Mackerel, Southern Kingfish, Spotted Seatrout, Gulf Flounder, Red Drum (Redfish), Blue Crab, and Atlantic Tarpon. The sign also says, "Enjoy over 2,000 ft of fishing and crabbing space along our pier rails, including wheelchair-accessible spots". We only walked out on the pier to the first building. I think that is where you go to pay your fees. We spent the rest of our few minutes here, walking the beach! So refreshing and beautiful!! Next to the pier is a Dune Restoration Area. I love the dunes! Also, next to the pier, there is a metal statue of a sea turtle. Nice to take a picture with! If you need to rinse off after your fun at the beach, there is a little area with a "shower" for you and for just your lower legs & feet. A pier you have to pay to walk out on reduces reasons for me to even be here, since I don't fish! I think the Sightseeing fee detracts from the public's use of the pier. The part of the pier we were able to use was sturdy and did provide a view mostly of the beach and a distant view of the ocean because the first building is still on the sand, not over the ocean. This pier seems like it is mostly for fisherman and people with them. Other than that, I am sure it is a 5 Star Pier!!

Great fun for the entire family and free if you stay at the Hilton next door! There are restrooms, a Tiki hut type restaurant, and a bait shop.

We like to go here and sit in the restaurant and watch the waves and people fishing..I dont know how the food is here as we only get drinks..today was very busy and windy as a storm is coming..usually on a reg day there are lots of people on the beach..there is a charge to walk on the pier unless you are a veteran then it is free. At the very end is usually where you will see lots of people fishing and catching fish..

I love this pier. It's so long and it's free for Vets. Thank you, not that I mind paying. We saw lots of wildlife; pelicans, turtles, fish jumping out of the water, sharks and schools of small fish. Seems like each time we go the water is rocky so we cant see into the water like some say.

A favorite beach spot. It's free, there's a fishing pier that costs $6 per day pp, which you can also sit under for shade. There's a small bar which may or may not be open, a gift shop and small grill with ice cream and hot dogs and drinks and other snacks, and a bathroom with several stalls. One is handicapped. The walk down to the water is a bit long and steep for anyone who is handicapped but my handicapped daughter makes it ok. Love this beach. Beautiful and clean. There's a lot of waves here too. Make sure if you're a tourist you look at the flags flying. They'll tell you if it's safe to swim. Green means it's fine. Yellow caution. Red means rough waters take extreme precaution - no no swimmers. Double red means no swimming at all. And purple means dangerous sea life such as jellyfish and sea lice (which are awful. They're tiny black jellyfish that get into your bathing suit and sting. Don't make the mistake of ignoring the purple flag just because you can't see what's in the water! Vinegar counteracts the stings some. Lifeguards often have some on hand). Other than the occasional bout of jellyfish or sea lice this is a great beach. But you'll get that anywhere. Just pay attention to the flags. Five stars. Update: they are remodeling and are closed for now, so check out the nearby pavilion.

This is the highlight of my trip. I love to go see the sea life swimming around the pier. This trip we were able to see dolphins, sea turtle, sting rays, numerous small to medium size fish, jelly fish, and sharks.

This pier is safe and relaxing. I went for the first time and I saw sharks, sea turtle!! Also it is a lot of fun to fish here

We enjoyed our visit to the pier and the beach here. To walk the pier, it's $3. Our family doesn't fish, but we enjoyed watching others reel in their catch. I also love, love, love birds and watched the large number of pelicans hanging around in the water for a long time. Free parking. They also have a little bar/snack shop. The beach right there was a little crowded, but not enough to deter us from walking down to it.

We take pictures here every year while on vacation. We arrived about an hour before sunset and that is the best time to take pictures. There are a lot of sand dunes in the background as well as the fishing pier. Bring a tripod for those with digital cameras. There is always someone willing to take pictures for you as well walking by.

Worst pier ever been to.. seriously. First I walk up and asked about getting a license. The hillbilly girl behind the counter said it was next door. So I go inside and wait at a counter. The same girl from next door (its connected and just figured this out) said.. go around the corner to the computers. So I go and you have to fill it out on the computer and print it off. $11 and some change. Ok no biggie. So after I figure it out on my own with no help from Ellie May, I go back to her to ask about equipment rental. She points and says pick out a fishing pole. There are about 6 poles that look like they drug from the bottom of the lake. Ok no biggie again. I pick one and get some squid ($5.49). Well no tackle comes with it. So I have to buy a knife (5.99) and needle nose (4.99). go back outside and back to her window to pay. Told her I wanted to fish and my daughter and wife was just watching me. $3 for each of them to enter. As I'm standing there.. I notice the treble hook on the pole! I said do y'all have bigger hooks? She said if I wanted to pay for one. So again.. $3.99 for bigger hooks. $10 for pole rental, $9 for myself to fish. In the end.. $60 plus to fish for 2 hours and didn't catch nothing but debt. Save yourself next time.. buy all your gear and bait and find another place to fish

I've been here a few times. Love it! So nice and relaxing. Lots of people fishing and catching sharks, sting rays, different types of fish etc. One of these days I'd like to fish off of it myself.! $3 isn't bad to walk across and spend a part of your day AT ALL.

Although I think $3.00 per person to walk on the pier is ridiculous, we did enjoy seeing the marine life in their natural habitat. We saw two sting rays, dolphins and two sharks off the pier. I would recommend taking time to visit the pier while at Gulf Shores/Orange Beach.

Very cool place! We saw a shark, jelly fish, and many other redneck families like ourselves ooh'ing and aweing over the sights. lol My son caught a bunch of 'cool' Pokemon and we enjoyed the scenery. There are several great spots for family pics as well! Take a few minutes and visit this pier. You won't be disappointed.

No trip to the coast is complete without visiting the Gulf State Fishing Pier, which juts 2-3 blocks into the ocean. It costs $2 to stroll the pier, but it's worth it, just for the fun of sometimes seeing fishermen reel in a big catch or getting up close with pelicans and other birds. It's windy and cool in the winter so a jacket or sweatshirt might be in order. There are signs along the pier identifying birds and animals you might see. It's an attempt to be educational but you really walk the pier just for fun.

We really enjoyed our visit to the pier. Beautiful views and cool to watch the fishermen all around. Bathrooms and ice cream are a plus. We would recommend it to others! Gotta get those FitBit steps right?!

Another place that offers military discounts to the entire party in south Alabama. This is a nice place to get a good view and take some awesome photos, not to mention all the fishing that is done there. If you play games like ingress or geocache, there are portals/caches in the area.

We've been here any times!! It's our favorite little beach spot with big restrooms and a outdoor shower! Great beach space!! Not far from good food and shopping!!

For the most part met some of the nicest fishermen around. Out of all the time I can recall only 2 experiences with people crowding us. Would be acceptable if the pier was crowded but these were inconsiderate people who used their poles to make us move by crossing our lines. FYI; didn't work. We caught a lot, the whole time. If you want to catch something and have a good time while doing it then come straight to the pier where the employees are helpful. Even told us where to go to get live shrimp since that what was catching and they didn't stock.

Easily accessible, ample parking. Great for walking and seeing the sunset as well as for fishing. Can walk along the pier, or the white sandy beach. Entire pier is well lit, with informational signs describing the wildlife that make the pier interesting to kids or anyone interesting in the gulf coast. We spent an evening there with my son, watching the fishermen catch fish until after dark. The local fishermen were very friendly and showed my son the different varieties they pulled in. He was hooked, so to speak. We were able to come back on the morning of our last day there, and quickly & easily rented him some fishing gear, bought bait and purchased a day fishing license right there on site (shop opened at 6:30am). The staff were friendly and helpful- giving him advice as to what was biting and where to fish. Even though we had to depart for the airport at midday, he was able to fish for several hours that morning, and caught many fish, including a good sized pompano. This turned out to be the surprise highlight of a very enjoyable trip (and the Pokemon Go activities there kept the younger kids from getting bored when the fish weren't biting).

I called yesterday to ask about renting poles, tackle, etc. They said they rent everything and there's no need to buy anything before hand. I get there and they said they are all out of everything that they rent and they suggested to go to Walmart and buy it. I asked why they did not let me know that they usually run out so that I could buy my own equipment before I came, and they said they don't tell customers that they can run out. Do not come here if you are looking to rent fishing equipment. The employees were all very rude and inconsiderate.

Was a nice walk, but pretty much had to fight all the people fishing to get near the edge and see the water. Would be nice if they had a spot for people who were not fishing to just enjoy the view.

Visited the pier and paid $3/person to walk down it. Didn't see much but it was worth $3.