Encounter This Gulf Coast Gem: Free Bike Rides Through Our State Parks & More!

While our home boasts amazing beaches and bays that are sure to bring fun for the whole family, we also host some of the most amazing nature scenes at Gulf State Park! This park spans 6,150 acres and includes 28 miles of trails for you to explore. Wanna know all the ways you can enjoy this beautiful stretch of land? Keep reading to see some of what Gulf State Park has to offer!

FREE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM

Perhaps one of the best things Gulf State Park has to offer is its free bike share program! The park provides these bikes in numerous stations across the 28 miles of trails, and all you need to unlock them is an app on a smartphone. Instructions for how to download the app and how to unlock the bikes are provided at the bike stations. Once unlocked, you are able to enjoy a free ride for up to 3 hours! Want to ride even longer than that? Not to worry, you can continue to ride for a small fee. This program is such a fun feature that families have enjoyed for years, so we hope you try out a free bike ride on your trip!

HUGH S. BRANYON BACKCOUNTRY TRAIL

Bike rides aren’t your thing? All good! You can feel free to enjoy these trails by scooters, skateboards, and of course walking/running. You can even take a Segway tour! No matter how you choose to enjoy it, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is special in many ways. First off, the trail is paved and spans through all the acres of Gulf State Park. The paving makes it a multi-use trail that is also ADA-accessible. A new feature of the Hidden Lakes Trail in particular is Hammock Park, which is a space for people to bring their hammocks and (quite literally) “hang” out in the stunning nature of the park. With all of these wonderful qualities, it’s no wonder that the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail was named the 2024 best recreational trail in the country by USA Today!

Remember, if you’re staying with us at Beach Village Resort you have direct access to these trails through the connecting bridge!

LAKE SHELBY

Trade the saltwater for freshwater with Gulf Coast State Park’s Lake Shelby! This lake is at the center of the park and allows swimming, kayaking, fishing, etc. You can rent a kayak at the main office next to the lake and also acquire fishing licenses. There is also a $5 fee to launch a boat. Lake Shelby is a perfect getaway for a family picnic, a fishing trip, or just to look upon the beautiful water.

There are so many more amazing features to this park, such as restaurants, learning experiences, and even beach access at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion! Check out this website to see more about Gulf State Park.

Us here at Liquid Life are confident that you will easily find something to enjoy about this stunning state park. Book your next beach vacation with us soon to experience all the fun!

Published by Camryn Easterling
Friday, May 17, 2024