Paddling Adventures On The Alabama Gulf Coast
Many travel to the Alabama Gulf Coast for our pristine shores and the turquoise waters. However, there is much more to our coastal towns than beautiful beaches.
Our area is also home to an array of other waterways, including Cypress swamps, freshwater lakes, bayous, lagoons, and marshlands. All of these locations are perfect for paddling, whether by kayak, canoe, or paddleboard.
Leave some room in your upcoming trip to coastal Alabama to explore the scenic paddle trails to follow.
Paddling Trails in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan
You’re in for a remarkable adventure when paddling the Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway. This trail system features 21 launch sites along four distinct trails, and each trail offers paddlers something different as they make their way through the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan waterways.
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Fort Morgan Trail
The Fort Morgan Trail offers the quietest and most private experience of all the trails, winding paddlers through the gorgeous Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and around both Mobile Bay and Bon Secour Bays. You’ll almost feel like you’re on the edge of civilization!
While on this route, take in the scenic sights of historic Fort Morgan, and keep an eye out for dolphins, migratory birds, and a plethora of other local wildlife.
Little Lagoon Trail
Located on the west end of Gulf Shores, the Little Lagoon Trail introduces paddlers to 10 miles of marshland and brackish water waiting to be explored. Here you’ll find beautiful views and abundant wildlife.
The lagoon is home to a wide variety of both salt- and freshwater fish (including speckled trout, white (sand) trout, redfish, and flounder), making it a popular spot for anglers, and is a hot spot for herons and pelicans in search of their next meal. You may even see a gator or two, who also call the lagoon home, though they tend to keep to themselves.
Gulf State Park Trail
If exploring the Gulf State Park has been on your bucket list, one of the best ways is by paddle! The Gulf State Park Trail gives paddlers the opportunity to experience the vast beauty and diverse wildlife found in and around Lake Shelby and Middle Lake, two of the three spring-fed, freshwater lakes located in the park. These two lakes span hundreds of acres and house an array of wildlife, including saltwater fish, freshwater fish, alligators, turtles, osprey habitats, and more.
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Lake Shelby – Gulf State Park
Orange Beach Trail
The many waterways branching off of Wolf Bay make up the distinctive Orange Beach Trail—and make it the most diverse of the four. This trail features 13 of the entire trail system’s 21 launches and takes paddlers across bays, bayous, coves, and creeks.
Paddle across Cotton Bayou for an on-the-water adventure near the beach, or make your way down Graham Creek, admiring the towering pines and pitcher plants that line the bank. Visit the different islands in Terry Cove, surrounded by shallow, crystal-clear waters. Embark on an excursion like none other across Wolf Bay, home to manatees, sea turtles, alligators, bald eagles, and even a few black bears!
Whichever adventure you choose, you can't go wrong!
Where to Rent Kayaks, Canoes, and Paddleboards in Coastal Alabama
There are a number of great places to rent kayaks and paddleboards in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach—like Alabama Extreme Watersports, Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports, Happy Harbor Marina & Watersports, and OB Watersports, to name a few. Some vendors will even drop your vessel off at your launch site to make your experience a breeze!
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For an even deeper and more memorable experience, consider booking a guided tour with a local outfitter, such as Coastal Kayak Excursions and Wild Native Tours. Their professional guides will teach you about the native plants and animals, habitats, and more. This is a perfect choice for paddlers wanting a slower-paced adventure through nature to take in the beauty as they go.
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