The renovated Gulf State Park Pier reopened on Monday, August 19, welcoming people to this famous Gulf Coast landmark for the first time in more than nine months.
The pier was scheduled to close in November 2023 for the $13.6 million renovation project, with work led by Orange Beach-based contractor MD Thomas Construction.
“Visiting the Gulf State Park Pier is almost a rite of passage for anyone who visits the beautiful beaches of Alabama’s Gulf Coast,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “We are thrilled to reopen the pier to the public. It has been a long road to get to this point and we are grateful for the support and patience shown during the renovations. It’s safe to say the pier is better than ever.”
Hurricane Sally destroyed a 200-foot section of the pier and caused additional damage in September 2020, just as the pier was set to reopen after extensive renovations. Bids to repair the damage were higher than expected, and ADCNR went through a lengthy process to obtain federal permits for the renovations.
Most of the park’s facilities, including the gift shop, restaurant and beach access, reopened Monday. The pier’s elevated observation deck, located in the octagon at the south end of the pier, will remain closed and will not be accessible to the public until a new elevator is installed to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Additional work will be carried out over the next few weeks, but this will not stop visitors from enjoying the pier. An official opening ceremony and community celebration are planned for a later date.
“Although the observation deck is not yet operational, it was important to us to open the pier and make it accessible to residents and tourists,” Blankenship said. “It’s a great day for everyone on the Gulf Coast to have the pier reopened, and it’s a great day for the state of Alabama.”
Officials also point out that the following entrance fees apply to tourists, anglers and other persons:
Park: $10, all day
Sightseeing (full day)
Adults – $2
Veteran – Free
Children under 12 years – free
Guests of the campground/lodge in Gulf State Park – free
Fishing (all day)
Adults – $9
Veterans – $6
Campsite/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
In addition, all anglers must have a valid fishing license.
*****
About Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park includes 6,150 hectares unique landscape on the Gulf of Mexico and offers nine different ecosystems to explore, including freshwater lakes, dunes, pine savannas, swamps, forests and beaches. The park attracts more than 2 million visitors annually and offers Hiking, biking, fishing, exploring, geocaching and paddling, as well as miles of sugar-white public beaches. Accommodations include RV camping, Lakeside Cabins, Eagle Cottages and The Lodge in Gulf State Parka Hilton Hotel. Find out more at https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park.
About the Alabama State Parks System
Alabama State Parks is a division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and manages 21 state parks covering over 50,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. Stretching from the beaches of the Gulf Coast to the Appalachian Mountains, the parks offer opportunities and facilities ranging from simple day activities to meeting lodging, restaurants and golf courses. These parks rely on visitor fees and support from other partners such as local communities to fund the majority of their operations. For more information, visit www.alapark.com. Partners pay the way.
