A major expansion is underway at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, where crews have started construction on a new executive-style campground designed to offer more space, privacy, and upgraded amenities for visitors. The project, expected to open in the first half of 2026, is being built on the site of the park’s former golf course and will feature a new entrance off State Road 180 (Canal Road), close to the Beach Express bridge.
“There will be two phases, based on current funding levels; the first phase will consist of 100 campsites with about 100 more planned for phase two,” said Matthew Capps, Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division. “We’re going to have a new entrance that comes off Canal Road at the new overpass. It will be only a few hundred feet from that.
“I think this project is transformative. It’s going to allow visitors easy access straight into the new campground so they can start enjoying the amenities, like the trails, as soon as they park.”
Set across approximately 200 acres, the new Executive Campground is being developed with larger site spacing than the existing south campground. Instead of the typical 30 feet, the new sites will offer between 60 and 100 feet between campers, providing greater privacy and easier maneuverability for larger vehicles.
Facilities planned for the site include:
Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship highlighted the broader strategy and long-term value of the project. “The new campground has been a long time coming.” Said Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “One of the hardest decisions I have had to make as Commissioner was the decision to close the golf course. It needed a tremendous amount of work and was not cost effective from a return-on-investment perspective to renovate. Building a new campground to add more opportunities for people to camp at Gulf State Park is a far better investment. I can’t wait to see it open next year!”
The project is estimated at $24 million and is designed to help meet demand at a park where campsite occupancy currently exceeds 90% for most of the year. Matt Young, State Parks’ Southern Operations Supervisor, called the expansion a major boost for tourism access.
“When you look at our existing campground that runs in excess of 90% occupancy for 11 months of the year, this affords another location for folks who aren’t able to get a campsite because it has such high occupancy,” Young said. “Some of the sites at the new campground will be shaded, and most will be back-in compatible. All will be in proximity to a bathhouse, and all are within walking distance to the amenities on the site.
“There’s something for everyone in the family. If you want to putt a golf ball – kind of like an ode to the old golf course – or jump in the pool, it’s there. We will have a connector from that campground to the greater trail network that leads to the beach and all other aspects of the park. It just gives the visitor a different aspect of the park, including to the Hugh Branyon Backcountry Trail.”
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, recognized nationally and awarded as Alabama’s top tourist attraction, will connect seamlessly to the new development.
Young also noted that the central activities center is being built to serve families, large groups, and long-term visitors. “We’ll have rooms available for rent for special events. It’s going to be a nice, comprehensive facility with a great room to entertain guests as they come in,” he said. “It will have a full laundry facility that will operate 24/7, and the external restrooms will be accessible 24/7.
“Another thing about the new campground is it will be much more private. With the south campground and its location near other amenities, like the Nature Center and boat launch at Middle Lake, folks come in and out of there that are not associated with the campground. The new Executive Campground will be more private with the way it’s operated. You will be able to enter and exit on Canal Road.”
Reservations have not yet opened. Capps said they will become available once the project is further along. “We’ll start taking reservations once we are a bit closer to confirming our opening date,” Capps said. “We want to make sure we are giving people accurate information, so as soon as we’re confident in the timing, we will open reservations and folks can start planning their trips.”
Beyond the new campground, Gulf State Park is in the midst of upgrades to multiple assets, including the Beach Pavilion, Romar Beach Access, Gulf State Park Pier, and The Lodge at Gulf State Park, where all 350 rooms have been updated. A new pool is also being added.
“The new pool is going to have more space and will be great for kids,” Capps said. “The current pools will transition to be more for adults. We’re excited about that pool becoming available to give all people more room in and around the pools. The construction is underway, and we hope to have that open in the spring of 2026.”
Capps encouraged those interested to follow updates online. “We have started posting some of our construction pictures and renderings on our Facebook pages so that people will have updates on what is happening and what is about to be available at State Parks,” he said.
Originally reported by David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
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