Fort Morgan Trail Extended 4.4 Miles at Gulf State Park
Visitors to Alabama's Gulf Coast now have even more room to explore, ride, run and experience the coast as Alabama State Parks celebrates the opening of a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park.
Community leaders, elected officials and Alabama State Parks staff gathered Friday for a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial grand opening of the extension, which brings the Fort Morgan Trail to approximately 10.5 miles along Alabama Highway 180, also known as Fort Morgan Road.
“This is a great day for south Baldwin County,” said Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “Extending the Fort Morgan Trail gives residents and visitors more opportunities to walk, bike and enjoy the beauty of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Projects like this create new ways for people to experience the outdoors, support tourism and enhance the quality of life for the communities we serve. I’m proud to support this project and excited to see this important connection completed.”
The new 4.4-mile section extends westward from Plantation Boulevard to a new terminus near Fort Morgan Pizza, giving visitors additional opportunities to experience the coastal landscape by foot or bicycle. The trail is paved and 10 feet wide along its entire length, providing a safe and accessible route for walkers, runners and cyclists.
The extension also includes 12 bridges designed to help preserve critical coastal wetlands along the route. At the new terminus, visitors will find a new bathhouse featuring four private, family-style suites designed to provide comfort and convenience for trail users.
The Fort Morgan Trail also connects with the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system, giving visitors access to a larger network of approximately 28 miles of paved trails throughout Gulf State Park and connecting to Orange Beach.
"Extending the Fort Morgan Trail is a win for residents and visitors alike,” said state Sen. Chris Elliott. “Trails like this draw tourists to our coast, support local businesses and give our families a safe, beautiful place to be outside together. It’s always good to offer more outdoor recreational facilities along our beautiful Gulf Coast.”
The $5.6 million project was funded by the federal RESTORE Act, which uses civil and administrative penalties paid under the Clean Water Act by companies responsible for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Under the Act, the funding supports programs, projects and activities designed to restore and protect the environment and economy of the Gulf Coast region.
The Fort Morgan Trail extension is part of a broader investment by Alabama State Parks to improve facilities, expand recreational opportunities and create memorable experiences for visitors across the state. Recent projects include the new RV Resort at Gulf State Park, construction of a new access road at Rickwood Caverns State Park, and the total renovation and re-opening of Lake Lurleen State Park. A new, 32-room bluff-side lodge at Cheaha State Park is expected to open later this year.
“We're thrilled to see the Fort Morgan Trail extended because trails like this one bring people outside, connect them to nature and give everyone another reason to spend time on our gorgeous Gulf Coast,” said Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps. “We're continuing to invest in places that give families and visitors opportunities to explore, make memories and experience what makes Alabama special. This trail extension is another example of how we're working to create a first-class experience for everyone who visits Alabama State Parks.”
About Alabama State Parks
The Alabama State Parks Division, a division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, manages 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water across Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountain landscapes and offer a variety of recreational opportunities including camping, lodging, hiking, golfing, fishing, nature tourism, and educational programming. Alabama State Parks primarily operates through visitor-generated revenue and partnerships that support long-term sustainability and public access. For more information, visit alapark.com.
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