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    Home » Uncategorized

    Published: Mar 16, 2025 · Updated: Mar 16, 2025 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Gulf State Park Cabins

    The Gulf State Park Cabins are located on the shore of Lake Shelby in Gulf Shores, Alabama, in the heart of Gulf State Park.

    The cabins at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores Alabama

    Gulf State Park Cabins

    Disclaimer: staying in Gulf State Park Cabins may cause you to become very relaxed and never want to go back home and work!

    They may be called cabins, but you are really renting a two-bedroom stilt home with epic views of Lake Shelby! You will be in the ideal location, centrally located to literally everything Gulf Shores/Orange Beach and the park have to offer!

    These are New Cabins that became available in April 2024 and are very well-designed and beautiful! They are located in a nice, quiet spot on the lake, perfect for an evening campfire or stargazing.

    Several trails are nearby, but you may have to drag yourself away from this incredible location!

    The park also has several sandy beaches right on the Gulf, the Gulf State Park Pier, a dog park, a swimming pool, pickleball courts, a nature center, an interpretative center, and a Beach Pavilion.

    Gulf State Park Cabins Reservations

    Click here to book your stay at the Gulf State Park Cabins in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

    A one-time cleaning fee of $180 plus tax will be applied to the invoice.

    Map of Gulf State Park with Trailheads
    Photo courtesy of Gulf State Park

    Gulf State Park Cabins room options

    Lakeside Two-Bedroom Cabin - Twelve cabins feature one king bedroom, one queen bedroom, a bunkroom, two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a laundry room, and a front porch.

    Accessible Two-Bedroom Cabin - Three accessible lakeside cabins feature one king bedroom, one queen bedroom, two bathrooms with roll-in showers, a living room with sleeper sofa, a kitchen, and a laundry room.

    Parkside Two-Bedroom Cabins - Five Parkside cabins are located on the tree line but only a one-minute walk from the shore of Lake Shelby. They feature a one king bedroom, one queen bedroom, a bunk room, a living area with a queen sleeper sofa, a kitchen, front porch, and a laundry room.

    screened in front porch on Gulf State Park Cabin

    Cabin Information

    Phone Number - (251)923-3900

    Address -
    20111 State Park Road
    Gulf Shores, Al 36542

    Check-In Time - Check-in start time is 4:00 PM, end time6:30 PM

    Check-Out Time - Before 11:00 AM

    Pet Policy - Pets are allowed an extra charge; service animals are welcome and exempt from fees. Doga and cats only, two total (up to 50 LBS per pet). Pets cannot be left outside unattended without adult supervision. Pets must be on a leash at all times when outside of the cabin.

    Accessible Cabins - There are three accessible Lakeside Two Bedroom Cabins available

    Living Room in Gulf State Park Cabins

    Cabin Amenities

    • A flat-screen television with satellite
    • stove, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster
    • Plates, cups, pots, pans, and flatware
    • Picnic table, BBQ Grill, and fire pits
    Kitchen in Gulf State Park Cabins

    Restaurants in Gulf State Park

    Woodside Restaurant - is located in the heart of Gulf State Park, minutes away from the cabins. It is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves good food. The restaurant also has a gift shop and live music.


    Foodcraft - Beachfront family restaurant serving American cuisine. They have a fantastic breakfast buffet (seasonal) and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.


    Perch - Beachfront restaurant that specializes in American Cuisine. Open for Dinner Only.

    Education Pier at Gulf State Park

    Things to do In Gulf State Park

    Go for a bike ride. You don't even need to bring a bike; just go to one of the bike share locations in the park (The Pavilion, The Lodge, Woodside Restaurant, Eagles Loop, The Gulf Oak Ridge), use your smartphone to download the app, scan the QR code at the bike station, and you can ride a bike for three hours for free! When you are done, return the bike to the station of your choice.

    Bird watching/wildlife viewing is a must, especially for birders. There is an incredible variety of birds, including Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Purple Martins, Red-Winged Blackbirds, mockingbirds, robins, cardinals, kingfishers, warblers, Blue Jays, sparrows, loons, ducks, and much more! Also, keep an eye out for deer, otters, alligators, turtles, coyotes, and bobcats.

    Have a Beach Day and spend time in the sun! Gulf Shores is located on the Gulf of Mexico and has some of the most beautiful sugar sand beaches imaginable! Why not go for a swim, sit in a beach chair, pull out the toys and build a sand castle, or look for shells. Whatever it is you decide to do, just don't forget the sunscreen!

    Canoe, Kayak, or paddleboard on Lake Shelby! Located at the Gulf State Park Visitor Center, Coastal Segway Adventures rents Electric bikes, kayaks, and paddleboards. They also offer Coastal Segway Tours, which include a two-hour guided tour of the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail.

    Hiking is also popular, as there are 28 miles of trails to explore. The Hugh S Branyon Backcountry Trail is a fantastic trail that visitors and locals enjoy. It is a collaborative agreement between the City of Orange Beach, the City of Gulf Shores, Gulf State Park, and property owners, creating a trail system consisting of 26 trails that pass through nine distinct ecosystems.

    The fishing and Education Pier is a great place to go fishing, go for a walk, or find a bench and enjoy the breeze while staring out at some of the best views along Alabama's Gulf Coast! You can also visit the ByWater Beachside Beach Bar & Grill at the base of the pier and enjoy a meal with incredible views!

    Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin mother with her baby wm

    Things to do near Gulf State Park

    Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here

    Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.

    Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here

    Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasaiing Trip Here

    Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here

    Click here to see all of the top-rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

    pier behind cabins at Gulf State Park

    Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Lodging Options

    The Lodge at Gulf State Park - The Lodge at Gulf State Park is a Hilton Hotel that has breathtaking views of the Gulf! You can walk out of the back of the hotel and walk to the sand! They have all the amenities you would want, including a swimming pool, gym, five restaurants on-site, a coffee shop/cafe, free WI-FI, and much more.
    Click here to learn more/Book your stay at the Lodge at Gulf State Park.

    Eagle Cottages at Gulf State Park - Beautifully located with breathtaking views of Lake Shelby, these cottages have a kitchenette, outdoor space, air conditioning, Free WI-FI, free beach shuttle, cooked-to-order breakfast included, and so much more!
    Click here to learn more/book your stay at Gulf State Park Eagle Cottages.

    back of cabin at Gulf State Park with fire ring and bbq brazier

    Don't forget to pack

    Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water. 

    We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.  Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors. 

    Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.

    Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

    Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

    Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

    Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

    Additional Photos of Gulf State Park Cabins

    King Bed room in Gulf State Park Cabins
    King Bed room
    bunkroom in Gulf State Park Cabins
    bunkroom
    Queen Bed Room in Gulf State Park Cabins
    Queen Bed Room
    Bathroom in Gulf State Park Cabins
    Laundry Room in Gulf State Park Cabins
    Sunrise at Gulf State Park's Cabins on Lake Shelby

    Gulf State Park and Area Resources

    Things to do in Gulf State Park

    Gulf State Park Campground

    Things to do Outdoors in Gulf Shores, Alabama

    Make sure to check out GulfCoastJourneys.com for lots of information on the Gulf Coast, including things to do, restaurants, attractions, hotels, and more!

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

    Photo collage of Gulf State Park Cabin, front porch, campffire making smores, bedroom, cabins from Lake Shelby with text "Gulf State Park Cabins Gulf Shores, Alabama by ParkRangerJohn.com"

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